Ōkami 2 Is Being Made in RE Engine, Confirmed

Following the Game Awards announcement of an Ōkami sequel, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the game, given Capcom's role as publisher. IGN can exclusively confirm this, based on interviews with key project leads.

In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine. Regarding Machine Head Works' role, Sakata explained:

Machine Head Works collaborates with Capcom and Clover Studios. Capcom, as the primary IP holder, sets the overall direction. Clover Studios leads development. Machine Head Works bridges the gap, leveraging our prior experience with Capcom on multiple titles, understanding Capcom's needs, and our past work with Kamiya-san. We act as a conduit between Clover Studios and Capcom. Furthermore, our expertise with RE Engine is invaluable, as Clover Studios lacks experience with this engine. We're providing crucial support. Our team also includes individuals who worked on the original Ōkami, further aiding development.

When asked about RE Engine's appeal and its benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi succinctly replied, "Yes," elaborating:

We can't divulge specifics yet, but Capcom believes realizing director Hideki Kamiya's artistic vision for this project would be impossible without RE Engine.

Kamiya added:

RE Engine is renowned for its exceptional graphical capabilities. We believe the expected level of quality for this game necessitates the use of RE Engine.

Sakata further highlighted RE Engine's potential, suggesting it might allow the team to achieve goals unattainable with the original Ōkami's technology:

Today's technology, coupled with RE Engine, enables us to surpass our original ambitions for the first Ōkami.

RE Engine, or Reach for the Moon Engine, Capcom's proprietary engine initially developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, has powered many major Capcom titles, including the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While many RE Engine games feature realistic art styles, its application to Ōkami's distinct aesthetic is intriguing. Capcom's development of the REX engine, a successor to RE Engine, with gradual integration into the existing RE Engine, suggests the Ōkami sequel might incorporate some REX elements.

A full Q&A with the Ōkami sequel's leads is available, providing further insights.