Ōkami 2 Is Being Made in RE Engine, Confirmed

Following the exciting Ōkami sequel announcement at The Game Awards, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the game, given their return 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 their function as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall vision) and Clover (development lead). Machine Head Works' experience working with Capcom and Hideki Kamiya, alongside their familiarity with RE Engine, provides crucial support to Clover, whose developers lacked prior RE Engine experience. Furthermore, Machine Head Works also includes staff with experience on the original Ōkami, offering invaluable insight.

When asked about RE Engine's appeal and its benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply responded, "Yes," elaborating that Capcom believes Kamiya's artistic vision wouldn't be achievable without it. Kamiya himself added that RE Engine's renowned expressive capabilities align perfectly with fan expectations for the sequel's visual quality.

Sakata further highlighted RE Engine's potential, suggesting it allows the team to realize aspects of the original Ōkami's vision that were technologically unattainable at the time. He stated that current technology, coupled with RE Engine, enables them to achieve, and potentially surpass, their original goals.

RE Engine, originally developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, has become Capcom's flagship engine, powering major titles like the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While many RE Engine games feature realistic art styles, the prospect of its application to Ōkami's distinctive aesthetic is particularly intriguing. Capcom's development of the REX engine, a successor to RE Engine, is also noteworthy. Elements of REX technology are reportedly being integrated into RE Engine, potentially influencing the Ōkami sequel.

For a complete overview of our interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads, including further details, refer to the full Q&A.