20 Years Later, Okami Still Offers A Distinct Take On Zelda's Formula

Okami is celebrating its 20-year anniversary today, April 20, 2026.

Below, we remember how the visually striking game differentiated itself from the renowned Zelda series.

A dead field stretches out under a washed-out sky, its trees brittle and colorless, until a single brushstroke cuts through the air.

Color returns in a wave.

Ink spills across the landscape, flowers bloom beneath your feet, and a sacred sapling takes on new life.

It is a transformation that is earned throughout the adventure in Okami.

Two decades on, Okami still feels like an anomaly.

It is instantly recognizable, rooted in a familiar action-adventure structure but elevated by a cultural and artistic identity that few games have attempted to match.

Its structure is Zelda-like, complete with dungeons, tools, and a steady march across a fractured world.

Move from region to region, clear a dungeon, gain a new ability, and push forward.

The inspiration is clear, but the way it builds beyond that has helped make Okami a classic.