Okami 2 in Development Using RE Engine

After the surprise reveal of an Ōkami sequel at last year's Game Awards, fans quickly theorized Capcom's return as publisher meant development would utilize RE Engine. IGN has exclusively verified this through conversations with key project leads.

During an in-depth discussion, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the RE Engine implementation. When asked about their studio's involvement, Sakata explained:

Our role bridges Capcom as the IP holder setting overall direction and Clovers as development leads. Having previously collaborated with Capcom on multiple titles, we understand their development needs. We've also worked with Kamiya-san, giving us unique insight into both companies' workflows.

Another advantage is our RE Engine expertise, which Clovers' team lacks. We're providing technical support along with staff who worked on the original Ōkami. This combined experience makes us the perfect intermediary for this project.

Questioned about RE Engine's specific benefits for this sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi responded succinctly: "Absolutely." He cautiously elaborated: "While we can't share specifics yet, we believe Kamiya-san's artistic vision couldn't be achieved without RE Engine at this stage."

Kamiya added: "RE Engine delivers exceptional visual fidelity that fans now expect from major titles. It's perfectly suited to realize our creative ambitions for this project."

Sakata later hinted that RE Engine might finally realize concepts the team originally envisioned for the first Ōkami. "Modern technology, especially RE Engine, lets us accomplish what we couldn't before—and potentially exceed those original ideas," he noted.

Originally developed for Resident Evil 7, RE Engine (Reach for the Moon Engine) now powers all major Capcom franchises including Monster Hunter and Street Fighter. While typically used for realistic visuals, its application to Ōkami's distinctive art style presents exciting possibilities. Capcom is currently phasing components of its next-generation REX engine into RE Engine, suggesting the Ōkami sequel might benefit from this hybrid technology.

Discover more insights from our exclusive interview with the Ōkami sequel's creative leads in our full Q&A feature.