Gaming: Just Finished Okami (PS2)
Holy. Cow. Just finished Okami, a masterpiece of a game revolving around Shinto religion, the Chinese zodiac, and the Ainu culture (not to mention a hint of fruity French prophets, hime cuts, and space rockets). The ending completely blew me away, not because it was surprising (though it was slightly), but because it was executed and directed so perfectly, along the lines of the Mushi-shi anime, even. It's amazing what dynamic impact character development can throw in your face when slipped into the ending. Slipped, mind you, not shoved in. Issun, though by no means my favourite character, grew from a bouncing Navi-like character (a la The Legend of Zelda) that flapped his mouth a little too much, to someone who truly understood his place in the world and what duties he must complete for the better of everyone, including himself. He almost stole the spotlight, had it not been for the epic music that cued in when protagonist and canine sun goddess Amaterasu was about to kick some serious ass.
And the credits. My God, the credits.
Seriously, it's a damn shame that this game didn't sell well enough for Clover Studio to survive. The ending was flawless (except maybe the final boss was a little too easy), but not to forget the rest of the journey was incredible in its own right. And quoting the wise words of Okikurmi, "When one tries to master something, it ends in either success or failure. But it is in the attempt itself where you find the true value." In other words, the journey is the prize.
And what a prize Okami was.
And the credits. My God, the credits.
Seriously, it's a damn shame that this game didn't sell well enough for Clover Studio to survive. The ending was flawless (except maybe the final boss was a little too easy), but not to forget the rest of the journey was incredible in its own right. And quoting the wise words of Okikurmi, "When one tries to master something, it ends in either success or failure. But it is in the attempt itself where you find the true value." In other words, the journey is the prize.
And what a prize Okami was.