Summon the powers of Bob Ross

It took a couple of years to materialise, but when Okami got ported over to the Wii, it was certainly a welcomed gesture from one of Nintendo's oldest collaborators. Now, Capcom is bringing a second cel-shaded adventure to Nintendo gamers but this time it's on the DS. With international press gathering in Hawaii at the annual Captivate event, let's take a look at some new game details and gameplay videos that shows off the lush visuals in Okamiden.

The game takes place a few months after the events of Okami as players take on the role of Chibiterasu – a young Sun God tasked with protecting the land. Just like its parent – Amaterasu – in the first game, Chibiterasu will start off as a wolf pup as it begins its adventure with the aim of overcoming the threat that has "leeched the world of its vibrant colour". Along the way, players will be joined by a cast of characters and as the game progresses, our protagonists will come to realise that there's a common thread besides battling that bonds them all together.

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The Celestial Brush makes a return as players use the stylus to wield this powerful tool in order to attack enemies, and paint items and structures into existence that will help you on your journey. Chibiterasu's partners will also have individual unique abilities that will need to be called upon when tackling the game's puzzles and challenges.

Taken from the official fact sheet, here's a rundown of game features:

  • Canvas and Brush: The touch screen and stylus of the Nintendo DS™ are the ideal tools to simulate Okamiden’s trademark celestial brush. The stylus brushstrokes are pressure sensitive which helps to accurately depict the look and feel of Sumi-e artwork – a graceful watercolour art.
  • Partner-Up: Using the in-game Partner System, players can join forces with new characters in the game, each possessing unique abilities that will help Chibiterasu defeat enemies and conquer puzzles.
  • Striking Visuals:  The beauty of the highly stylised Japanese calligraphy and scroll paintings are depicted in pixel-perfect handheld glory.
  • Dynamic Action: Employ brush techniques learned from various celestial deities such as Power Slash or Bloom, and battle a diverse lineup of monsters and demons rooted in Japanese folklore.
  • Interactive Puzzles: Draw bridges into existence, transverse canyons, and connect winding paths through space by using the celestial brush and the abilities of Chibiterasu’s partners.
  • Ensemble Cast: The main character, Chibiterasu, is a youthful sun god that has taken the form of an adorable wolf pup. Chibiterasu partners up with an equally endearing cast of characters that aim to restore order to the land while learning lessons from majestic, playful deities. Many characters will be easily recognisable to fans of Ōkami™ while several are new to the series.
  • Compelling Narrative: Ōkamiden tells an amazing story that is both morally impactful and fun. With a complex mix of themes like friendship, responsibility and love between parent and child, players are promised a memorable experience that will be appreciated for its depth, humour, and universal truths.

The game makes the most of the dual screens as players make various swipes on the touchscreen to perform different tasks. Although action will switch from screen to screen, this doesn't seem to hinder battle scenarios in any way; with fights looking snappy and action-packed. The environments look beautiful and we even see subtle yet crisp effect animations that long-time fans will be familiar with. Enough talk, let's soak in the latest trailers from Capcom – the first being a gameplay video, and the second being the trailer that was shown at Captivate 2010.

Gameplay Trailer
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Captivate 2010 Trailer
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Okamiden is currently scheduled for release in 2011.