OKAMI
Capcom, PS2, $39.99
Behold, the best all-digital outing inspired by sumi-e, the ancient art of Japanese watercolor painting. And no, we’re not just saying that because it’s the only one we’ve seen. A 3-D adventure spread across stunning pastel landscapes (like something straight out of feudal-era scrollwork), Okami is as much a groundbreaking visual experiment as a thumb-numbing digital diversion. That’s a good thing–any title this readily capable of expanding your mind deserves its rightful place in gaming history. The setup: You’re a white wolf, a physical embodiment of Far Eastern sun goddess Amaterasu. Padding across the earthly realm’s Asian-tinged settings, you must save mankind from demonic invaders by destroying the beasts and bringing color and life back into the world. Exploratory outings, pitched battles, and puzzle-solving encounters are simply par for the course as you claw your way through legions of attractively rendered evildoers. Better yet, for the first time ever, penmanship is paramount. Players must use the analog joystick to access the magic of calligraphy, which–when scribbled on-screen–causes wondrous effects: bridges appear, stars fill the sky, and baddies crumble with every brush stroke. It’s a novel mechanic that, while bound to frustrate some, adds still more depth to an already avant-garde tale. Odd premise notwithstanding, Okami is worth trying, if only to improve your heinous handwriting. Scott Steinberg
www.capcom.com

Love: Graphics, theme, novel play mechanics
Hate: Spotty accuracy detection, niche appeal
Final Word: Sketch artist