When writing previews at GameSpot, it's important for us to remain fairly neutral, since it's unfair for us to pass too much judgment on a game that isn't yet final. But it was hard for me to remain neutral in my recent Okami preview of the import which I fear reads too much like a love letter in some places.

I once wrote a love letter to Prince of Persia, it went something like this:

Dear Prince of Persia,

I think I'm in love with you. It's an awkward thing to say, but I feel like my entire life would be a lie if I didn't reveal my true feelings. I have been thinking back on the time we had together. I think of those warm evening nights where the only light in the room was the soft glow from your gorgeous levels and the beaming smile across my face. Those were the happy days, when I was first figuring out how to navigate your environments, how to move my hands across the controller, and you were so responsive, well I feel slightly embarrassed just to confess it.

You told so many beautiful stories, I only wish I could be hearing them again for the first time, but I treasure those first moments as equally as I treasure the new ones that we make, every time that I feel compelled to come back to you. I can even forgive you for your flaws, your combat system is at times very aggravating, but there is so much more to your beauty that I can see past that. I love you so much that I'm willing to share you, if that's what would be best for you, just please promise that I'll always be in your mind, like you are in mine.Carrie while slightly intoxicated

In many ways Okami reminds me of the first time I played through (the first!) Prince of Persia. I'm sitting here grinning like I have some stupid crush on the game and it's too difficult to hide it. It's poetic and charming and quite beautiful, and I like to think that the kind of love that went into the creation of Okami was created from the development team's constant exposure to puppies and candy apples and peace all over the world.

Of course, there's all sorts of ways it has yet to go wrong. I'm only a few hours in, and I don't know anything that's going on with the story/text. I imagine if the text is actually telling me how to solve all these puzzles instead of letting me blissfully wander around the environments, stumbling upon answers (or more often than not, using a translated FAQ which is both a blessing and a curse at this point) then the game could be quite distressing.

But you'll all know one way or another, and soon. Okami is supposed to be coming out here later this year; let's hope it's worth the wait. And in the meantime you can tune into On the Spot on Thursday and watch me crush on the import.