Ōkami 2 Is Being Made in RE Engine, Confirmed

Following last year's Game Awards announcement of an Ōkami sequel, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's use of RE Engine, given their role as publisher. IGN can exclusively confirm this speculation after interviewing key project leads.

In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine. Regarding Machine Head Works' involvement, Sakata explained their role as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall vision) and Clover (lead developer). Machine Head Works' experience working with Capcom on multiple titles, understanding Capcom's needs, and prior collaboration with director Hideki Kamiya, makes them uniquely suited to this role. Crucially, their expertise with RE Engine complements Clover's lack of experience with the engine. Furthermore, Machine Head Works includes personnel with experience on the original Ōkami, providing invaluable support.

When asked about RE Engine's appeal and its specific benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply replied, "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 meet the high expectations surrounding this sequel.

Sakata further highlighted RE Engine's potential, suggesting it allows the team to realize elements from the original Ōkami that were previously unattainable. He stated, "With today's technology, and the RE Engine, we are able to achieve all of this that we were trying to achieve back in the days and perhaps even greater now."

RE Engine, or Reach for the Moon Engine, initially 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, its application to Ōkami's distinctive aesthetic is highly anticipated. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, with gradual integration into RE Engine, hints at potential inclusion of REX elements in the Ōkami sequel.

The full Q&A from our interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads is available for further reading.