Ōkamiden

Ōkamiden is like the cute lil sibling of the original Ōkami, carrying on its legacy with a chibified artstyle and a fresh but familiar story. Set nine months after the first game, the world is once again in trouble as demons start popping up like weeds. This time, it’s up to Chibiterasu, a tiny puppy god, and his partners to restore peace. The game follows a similar structure to Ōkami, with Chibiterasu using the Celestial Brush to solve puzzles, fight bad guys and revive the land. The story introduces new characters like Kuni, a brave but clumsy kid, while bringing back some old faces, making it a nice mix of nostalgia and new adventures.  

If you’ve played Ōkami, you’ll feel right at home; Ōkamiden keeps the brush mechanics but simplifies things a bit. Drawing with the stylus feels smooth, tho the smaller screen can make precise strokes a little finicky. Combat is straightforward but fun, mixing brush techniques with basic attacks. The big twist here is the partner system, Chibiterasu teams up with different characters, each with unique abilities that help in puzzles and battles. The dungeons and puzzles are creative, but not as deep as the original’s, and the pacing drags a bit in the middle.  

The plot isn’t as grand as Ōkami’s but it’s charming in its own way. Chibiterasu is adorable, and the bond between him and his partners gives the story heart. Kuni starts off annoying but grows on you, and returning characters like Issun add some fun callbacks. The villain, Akuro, isn’t as memorable as Yami or Orochi, but he gets the job done. The writing keeps that playful, mythical tone Ōkami is known for. It’s a lighter, more kid friendly tale, which works for a handheld spinoff but might leave some fans of the original wanting more depth.  

The chibi art style is a great fit for the DS, keeping the lush, ink wash aesthetic of Ōkami while making everything super cute. The colors pop, and the animations are full of personality, Chibiterasu’s wagging tail alone is worth it. The music reuses a lot of tracks from the first game, which isn’t a bad thing since the OST is still gorgeous. New compositions fit well, tho nothing stands out as iconic as the original’s themes. The DS’s hardware limits some of the visual flair, but the game still looks fantastic even now.

Download

If you're ready to channel your inner god and banish the creeping darkness, steady your Celestial Brush, choose your incantation language and unseal the .RAR file with the power of the gods. Once the divine files are freed, place them onto the sacred grounds of your 3DS’s SD card root. Then, let your FBI app weave its magic. The fate of Nippon rests in your paws, little wolf. Brush at the ready! It’s time to restore the land.