Simply original. And I have yet to touch Katamari Damancy.
It is simple to understand and actually volumes out a good meaning at the end which is quite rare among rpgs. About how instead of always praying just to ask for something from the gods we should actually just pray for them once in awhile. Voiceover: I nearly returned the game to my friend because I thought there was something wrong with the DVD since the voices of the characters were.... not of our language. But it was really that way so please continue playing normally. Of course it is one of the drawbacks in this game but alot of the good points in it covered it up when you get used to it.
Gameplay:
Theres various choice of weapons from blade to mirrors (yes mirrors don'ts ask me I'm not ***) and also rosary beads. Each weapons has different attack range and power to match different types of foes. Most of them time you'll be button smashing but the great thing about Okami is the Celestial Brush setting. You will using various brush techniques to bring down the big boss/enemy or use it to guide your way through puzzles and roads. Mini games:
Theres quite a number of mini games which earns you item or praise(is kind of like exp point) which are given to you by people/animals when you helped them do something. Fishing is kind of fun, sakura blooming, digging for water/space ship. And many others (smiles) Soundtracks:
Combining classic japanese intruments and western is one of the strong point of this game. Because is classic *** so please dont play some parts of the game at night if your a scardy-cat. (seriously) I love the osts at the ending part. Combined with the storyline and atmosphere, it really can make someone cry. Overall:
It didnt get a 9 out of 10 for nothing being in par with Final Fantasy XII. So you should really try it out. Get through the awfully long opening part and you'll have a great 40 hours gameplay ahead of you.