Devil May Cry and Bayonetta mastermind Hideki Kamiya doesn’t care for action games that are all flash and no substance. For Kamiya, the hallmark of a truly great action title is a unique, defining mechanic that distinguishes it from everything else on the market.
“When I make a new game, I try to come up with a unique gameplay mechanic that can only be experienced in that game,” he told Famitsu in a joint interview with Morbid Metal creator Felix Schade. “For example, in Bayonetta it was the Witch Time system where dodging an enemy attack slows down time, and in Okami, it was the Celestial Brush, which lets you directly affect the game world by drawing.”
Kamiya reiterated that as a gamer himself, he finds a unique gameplay experience far more exciting than flashy graphics.
“As a player, I want to get excited by the unique experiences which only that one game can offer.”
Gameplay from Devil May Cry 4/Capcom
Despite the fact that there have been more than a few action games released in recent years with impressive graphics but lackluster gameplay and fun factor, Kamiya maintains that the genre remains in a strong position overall.
“Until not too long ago, there weren’t many 3D action games around, but recently there have been a lot of stylish, combo-based action titles. I think that’s a result of growing demand, and as someone who also wants to make that kind of action game one day, it makes me happy to see.”
Kamiya will soon have a chance to put his money where his mouth is and deliver an action game that pairs impressive gameplay with equally striking visuals. His next project is a sequel to the 2006 PlayStation 2 action-adventure classic Ōkami, in which players took on the role of Amaterasu—the Japanese sun goddess who inhabits the form of the legendary white wolf, Shiranui.
The original Ōkami was widely praised for its breathtaking, hand-painted art style inspired by traditional Japanese sumi-e ink painting, which gave the world a look and feel like a living watercolor scroll.
The announcement of an Ōkami sequel came during The Game Awards 2024, accompanied by a teaser trailer. On its official Capcom site, the company confirmed:
“The Ōkami sequel project is underway. Ōkami is a game critically acclaimed for its unique world, heartwarming story, and exciting adventures. Now, a new adventure in the same vein as Ōkami has been set in motion.”
What do you think of the fact that Hideki Kamiya, the Bayonetta and Devil May Cry creator says new action games need impressive gameplay as much as stunning graphics to truly stand out? Can you think of any action games released recently which had impressive graphics but lackluster gameplay that soured your experience? Let us know in the comments.
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