Capcom's achieved a lot over the years. Just when you think the company's beginning to lose their luster and lean on one of their classic franchises...BAM! They come out of left field with a game so distinguished and cool that it knocks you out of your seat. I've seen a lot of examples from this- Resident Evil 4, Viewtiful Joe, Devil May Cry, etc. Their library reads off like a wine list for the distinguished gamer. And, to no one's surprise, they have done it yet again with Okami, a game that has seen a number of delays over this last year and a half, but has finally surfaced on store shelves.

Probably one of Okami's biggest charms is that you don't play as a typical character. Instead of being this warrior with unlimited weaponry or some superhero type with a gimmick that could be ripped off for future game releases, you instead play as a spiritual wolf named Amaterasu. (We'll just call him Amat.) There's a little bit of a back story for him. One hundred years ago, Amat teamed up with a local village warrior to battle an eight-headed demon named Orochi, who was tormenting said village and demanding a sacrifice- the warrior's true love. The duo is able to defeat the demon and lock away its spirit within the warrior's sword, and peace is brought to the land. However, one stupid peasant manages to pull the sword and unleash darkness upon the land, and Amat is called upon to use his spiritual powers to restore its natural beauty.

As he begins his journey, Amaterasu finds an unlikely ally in the form of Issun, a micro-sized bug that can paint up a storm. Issun has a knack for using smarmy language and bugging lady spirits to no avail, but he nonetheless provides a compelling ability that aids Amat through his quest. This is known as the "celestial brush", which looks as if it was yanked from God's paint set. The brush comes in handy during many points of the game, as players can draw the sun to lighten up the night sky; draw straight lines to slash trees, rocks and enemies; and complete star constellations to help Amat gain new powers in battle.

Using this brush is a snap. You press down on R1 at any time during your adventure, and the graphic image transforms into a Japanese painting. From there, you simply direct the brush with your left analog stick and toggle between the buttons to draw thin and thick lines over the scenery. The effects of the brush are then played out in the level itself, drawing items that weren't there before or leaving its effect on some of the terrain. This is a critical feature that helps boost the gameplay in terms of its imagination, and it's worth playing around with to uncover secrets or open up new areas to explore.

The rest of the gameplay is made up of Amat's powers and movement. Okami features terrific control, as Amat moves around just as a real wolf should. In combat, he tears through enemies with paw swipes that will leave them vulnerable for a "celestial brush" slash, and he can power-up as well, which comes in handy for the bosses that surface later on. The combat is a bit simpler than I thought it would be, but it's interesting using both Amat's powers and the brush for a combination of attacks. The game also has a splendid camera system. You can move around the right analog stick to take a look at the wondrous world around you, or press the L1 button to alter between an up-close and aerial view. The aerial view works surprisingly well, especially if you want to get more than a glimpse of this sensual world.

The visuals pour onto the screen with utter grace. It's like a water painting brought to life, with little visual effects that show streaks on the screen and a wondrous use of colors. Special effects overflow the screen at times, including smaller things I wouldn't have even thought of. When Amat jumps in the air and lands, he leaves behind a small patch of plant life that disappear as he moves on. There's also beautiful lighting effects, particularly noticeable when Amat gains a new power or trust from the villagers.

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