Ōkami 2 Is Being Made in RE Engine, Confirmed

Following the announcement of a long-awaited Ōkami sequel at The Game Awards, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the game, given Capcom's return as publisher. IGN can exclusively confirm these rumors following interviews with key project leads.

In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine. Discussing Machine Head Works' role, Sakata explained: "Machine Head Works, collaborating with Capcom and Clover, acts as a bridge. Capcom, as the major IP holder, sets the overall direction. Clover leads development. Our prior experience working with Capcom on multiple titles gives us insight into their needs. We also have experience working with Kamiya-san. We effectively bridge Clover and Capcom. Furthermore, our team's familiarity with RE Engine is invaluable, as Clover lacks that experience. We're also providing support from individuals with experience on the original Ōkami."

When asked about RE Engine's appeal and its unique benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply stated, "Yes," before elaborating: "While details are limited, Capcom believes realizing director Hideki Kamiya's artistic vision for this project wouldn't be possible without RE Engine." Kamiya added, "RE Engine is renowned for showcasing the best in gaming, offering exceptional expressive capabilities. We believe fans anticipate this level of quality."

Later, Sakata hinted at RE Engine's potential to fulfill ambitions unrealized in the original Ōkami: "Today's technology, coupled with RE Engine, allows us to achieve our past aspirations and perhaps even surpass them."

RE Engine, short for Reach for the Moon Engine, initially powered Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Since then, it's been the backbone of major Capcom titles, including the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While many RE Engine games feature realistic art styles, the prospect of its application to Ōkami's unique aesthetic is intriguing. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, with gradual integration into RE Engine, suggests the Ōkami sequel may incorporate some of its advancements.

For the complete Q&A with the Ōkami sequel's development leads, please see the full interview.