Following the exciting Ōkami sequel announcement at The Game Awards, speculation immediately arose regarding its game engine. IGN can exclusively confirm that the game will indeed utilize Capcom's RE Engine, based on interviews with key project leads.
In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the RE Engine's use. He described Machine Head Works' role as bridging the gap between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall vision) and Clover (lead developer). Machine Head Works' experience working with Capcom and Hideki Kamiya, along with their familiarity with the RE Engine (unlike Clover's developers), makes them uniquely suited to this role. Furthermore, their team includes individuals who worked on the original Ōkami.
When asked about the appeal of RE Engine, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply stated, "Yes," before adding that Capcom believes Kamiya's artistic vision for the sequel couldn't be realized without it. Kamiya himself emphasized RE Engine's reputation for high-quality visuals, stating that fans expect this level of quality.
Sakata further hinted that RE Engine allows the team to achieve goals unattainable during the original Ōkami's development. He suggested that current technology, coupled with RE Engine, enables them to surpass their previous aspirations.
RE Engine, Capcom's proprietary engine (initially developed for Resident Evil 7), powers many of their major titles, including the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. Its typically realistic art style makes its application to Ōkami's unique aesthetic particularly intriguing. While Capcom is developing a successor engine (REX), some of its technology may already be integrated into the RE Engine, potentially influencing the Ōkami sequel.
For a complete overview of the interview, including further details on the upcoming Ōkami sequel, please refer to the full Q&A.
