Following the announcement of an Ōkami sequel at The Game Awards, speculation immediately arose regarding its game engine. IGN can exclusively confirm that the game is being developed using Capcom's RE Engine, following interviews with key project leads.
In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine, explaining Machine Head Works' role as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall vision), Clover (development lead), and the RE Engine. Sakata highlighted Machine Head Works' prior experience working with Capcom, understanding their needs, and possessing expertise with the RE Engine, an area where Clover lacked experience. He also noted the involvement of team members with experience on the original Ōkami.
When asked about the appeal of RE Engine and its benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply stated, "Yes," before elaborating: "However, we cannot go into much detail. But we at Capcom believe that without RE Engine, we wouldn't be able to realize [director Hideki] Kamiya-san's artistic dreams for this project." Kamiya added, "RE Engine is known for showcasing the best in games, offering excellent expressive capabilities. We believe people expect and await RE Engine-level quality for this game."
Sakata further teased the engine's potential, suggesting it would allow the team to realize aspects of their vision for the original Ōkami that were previously unattainable. "With today's technology and RE Engine, we can achieve what we strived for back then, and perhaps even surpass it," he stated.
RE Engine, initially designed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, has powered many of Capcom's major titles, including the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While most RE Engine games feature a realistic art style, the application to Ōkami's distinct aesthetic presents exciting possibilities. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, and its gradual integration into RE Engine, may also contribute to the Ōkami sequel.
A full Q&A with the Ōkami sequel's leads is available for further details.
