Okami was certainly a standout title when it was released for the PlayStation 2 (and later, Wii) for both its amazing stylized visuals and its unique gameplay. The game was received extremely positively, and after its Wii port was released, a handheld sequel was announced. Although Okamiden will take place in the same universe as Okami, it is not exactly a sequel.

The game is set several months after the conclusion of the original Okami and sees the introduction of a new main character: Chibiterasu. Chibiterasu is the ultra-cute offspring of Okami's Amaterasu. Although  it may seem a little weird to have an offspring capable of being a protagonist in its own game only seven months after the original's setting, the developers have promised that this interesting little chronological facet will be explained by the game's storyline. Also new to Okamiden is Kuni, who is the son of Susano and Kushi (also from Okami).

As far as the story in concerned, the end of the original Okami saw all the demons vanquished from Nippon, but it seems that through some nefarious doings, some demons have survived extinction. Although Amaterasu is summoned at the beginning of the game, Chibiterasu takes over much to the dismay of those hoping for Amaterasu's full power to vanquish the demon. Chibiterasu has inheireted Amaterasu's basic powers, but they are not developed in the young spirit yet, which makes your quest two-fold. You'll have to work on strengthening Chibiterasu's powers as well as finding a way to vanquish the demons that have returned to Nippon.

Although the format and characters will be completely different from Okami, the game still has plenty of gameplay elements from its predecessor. The puzzle-action elements of the original will still be intact and the game's trademark Celestial Brush will still be a large gameplay element in both the action sequences and the puzzle-solving areas.
However, as with all console jumps, there will be considerable alterations made to the game to make it more palatable to a handheld format. Chief among these changes will be the inclusion of a top-screen map which is always on, and a combat system that uses a single button for melee attacks. The game will also feature an on-rails camera system that will focus the player in the direction of the next objective.

Okami is definitely regarded as a modern classic, and though Okamiden features a shrunken scope and all-new heroes, it is looking like it will keep several of the gameplay elements that made the original Okami such a hit. Plus, with a hero as cute as Chibiterasu, how could you go wrong? Although Okamiden is due out in Japan very soon, both the North American and European regions will have to wait until 2011 to check this one out.

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