You play as the sun goddess Amaterasu, a wolf who has been awakened from a 100-year slumber and once more charged with the task to save the ancient Nippon world from a great and dark evil before it consumes the serene landscapes before her. The story is told through cinematic cut-scenes and a visual presentation designed to very effectively mimic the style of traditional Japanese artistry -- specifically woodcut and water color paintings. This unique look is complemented by cel-shaded graphics and the result is nothing short of beautiful. Okami's makeup is stunningly original, gorgeous in every regard and amazingly varied. The word picturesque accurately describes the setting as Amaterasu runs through the spectacular, giant-sized locales, all seemingly out of a painting. It is simply one of Wii's best looking games, a truth solidified by the fact that the adventure arrives on the console with some visual enhancements, including all-new 480p (progressive scan) and 16:9 widescreen modes.

Yet, it's not without its graphic imperfections. The original version of Okami featured a very pronounced filter, which gave the impression that the Nippon world Amaterasu explored was rendered onto paper. The Wii iteration also includes the paper filter, but it is not nearly as obvious or noticeable -- it's much subtler and thus far less convincing, a disappointment since the filter actually added to the authentic presentation of the game. Okami's framerate, meanwhile, often slowed down on PlayStation 2 and Ready at Dawn has made no attempt to improve the fluidity for the Wii build despite the fact that Nintendo's system is more powerful. The admittedly still-stunning adventure therefore remains hampered by regular fluidity dips in wide-open areas.

We have to note that the game features a wonderful soundtrack that's both exceptionally moody and altogether catchy at the same time. The music is perfectly matched to the environments Amaterasu explores and your major accomplishments are rewarded with amazing compositions that trace cinematic sequences which show off nature's splendor. You will get caught up in the moment. Of course, the aural presentation runs in Dolby Pro Logic II on Nintendo's console.