Okami...

[Eggsnham]

I got Okami HD on PS3 a month or so ago, (though I haven't really started getting into it until a couple days ago) and I'm nearly finished with my first play-through, I only need to finish a few side-quests and I can cross the point of no return.

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture. Not that it upsets me or anything, it's just one of those things that I notice (or think I notice, at any rate) that sorta distracts me from the actual game to a degree.

Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome game and I love it; I really wish I'd had the chance to play it back when it was first released. It feels like one of those games that is great when you first play it, but becomes amazing later on due to nostalgic memories. Plus, I'd also have known what the hell my stepbrothers meant when they started talking about a wolf-deity pissing/shitting on mythological creatures and whatnot.

So, what does the Escapist think? Am I onto something, or am I just being stupid?

 

[lechat]

funny i didn't get that feel
i thought it was more trying to convey japanese culture and just tell a story while trying to remain respectful yet humorous
always amazes me that okami wasn't more popular than it was or at least got a sequal but imo the game was designed for the wii years before it had ever been invented and i just don't think any other console will be able to capture the true gameplay like the wii did (although buggy)

 

[Nonomori]

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture

Seriously? I don't remember that. Can you explain better?

Plus, I'd also have known what the hell my stepbrothers meant when they started talking about a wolf-deity pissing/shitting on mythological creatures and whatnot.

That's possible! Some kind of special ability...

 

[Iwata]

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture.

Try playing "Vanquish". The whole game is built around that premise.

 

[Eggsnham]

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture

Seriously? I don't remember that. Can you explain better?

For instance, Navi Issun, the dude was always practically salivating at the sight of any given female character. There were a couple of other things that caught my attention, but the more I think about it, the more I think I'm just reading too much into it.

Plus, I'd also have known what the hell my stepbrothers meant when they started talking about a wolf-deity pissing/shitting on mythological creatures and whatnot.

That's possible! Some kind of special ability...

Yup! Golden Fury and Brown Rage. They give you extra demon fangs I think.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture.

I don't think you're reading too much, you're just reading it wrong. The game feels more like Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at itself. Bear in mind all the Viewtiful Joe references, the modern-day anachronisms ("Ammy's not a speedboat!"), or the fact that the game's plot is based on Shinto mythology (Amaterasu, Susano, Orochi, Nami, Nagi, Sakuya, Rao, etc. are as legendary as Greece's Zeus and Heracles). Also, every Jap manga/anime features at least one character that will salivate over every female character he meets. Sexist portrayal of women is staple Japan, come on!

 

[Tamrin]

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture.

Try playing "Vanquish". The whole game is built around that premise.

1: That was a cool game.

2: You are correct.

3: It was funny as hell since the American leader was suppose to be some twisted and corrupt Hillary Clinton.

4: I still want a sequel. >_<

 

[shrekfan246]

That said, I feel like a good chunk of the game is just Japanese/Asian culture poking fun at American/Western European culture

Seriously? I don't remember that. Can you explain better?

For instance, Navi Issun, the dude was always practically salivating at the sight of any given female character. There were a couple of other things that caught my attention, but the more I think about it, the more I think I'm just reading too much into it.

I always thought that was more Japanese culture poking fun at itself. Seriously, have you ever seen a male-centric manga? Guys who get nosebleeds every time they see a hot chick, etc.?

I never really got any feeling that it was trying to do anything to Western culture, honestly. Pretty much everything about it is steeped in Japanese culture/mythology.

 

[kyogen]

Uh, no OP. I don't get the sense that Okami had anything at all to say about the West. Yes, Issun drools over girls, but that hardly makes him a parody of a Westerner. The sun goddess takes physical form as a wolf and ... does what all dogs do. I don't think that's Western either. I think it's just gentle and ultimately rather respectful fun being poked at Japanese Shinto by Japanese devs who grew up with it. Definitely disagree if it really rubs you the wrong way, but I just don't see it. Are you sure you're not just finding it tacky?

 

[Eggsnham]

Uh, no OP. I don't get the sense that Okami had anything at all to say about the West. Yes, Issun drools over girls, but that hardly makes him a parody of a Westerner. The sun goddess takes physical form as a wolf and ... does what all dogs do. I don't think that's Western either. I think it's just gentle and ultimately rather respectful fun being poked at Japanese Shinto by Japanese devs who grew up with it. Definitely disagree if it really rubs you the wrong way, but I just don't see it. Are you sure you're not just finding it tacky?

It doesn't bother me at all, and I think the game's awesome, it was just a few things that caught my attention, really.

Like I already said, the more I look at the situation, the more I think I'm just reading too much into it.

 

[kyogen]

It doesn't bother me at all, and I think the game's awesome, it was just a few things that caught my attention, really.

Well, those particular goofy jokes are probably meant to do that. Good luck with the end game!

 

[TehCookie]

I wouldn't be surprised if you saw western touches, but some things are universal.

That's the director. He likes western things so a lot of his other games tend to mesh Japanese and Western influences so you could just be noticing that as well, but it's not making fun of westerners.

Still glad to hear you're enjoying Okami since it's one of my favorite games. There is so much content to that game you won't be able to finish it in a single playthrough, as soon as you beat it you'll want to start a new game+ and try to find all the secrets.