Capcom moves to reactivate beloved franchises that have been dormant for years

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2025 is looking jam-packed in the gaming department, with gamers hoping that long-awaited sequels like The Witcher 4 and Civilization 7 live up to their hype. At the Golden Joystick ceremony, GTA 6 won the Most Wanted Game award to virtually nobody’s surprise. A month later, Rockstar’s megahit in the making bagged the Most Anticipated Game award at the Game Awards, whose tenth edition also had a few surprises in store for Capcom fans – including sequels no one had seen coming.

Capcom is coming out of a strong year in 2024, which saw the commercially successful launch of titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy. The Osaka-based firm even surprised international fans with rather unexpected releases, such as an Ace Attorney Investigations collection whose second chapter had never been localized since 2011. Far from an isolated initiative, this decision aligns with Capcom’s broader objective – that is, reviving its dormant series.

TGA 2024

No Capcom nominee picked up any trophy at TGA 2024. Yet, last week’s ceremony was nowhere near uneventful for the company. The biggest night in gaming brought a tear to the eye of many Capcom fans following the unpredicted reveal of new Onimusha and Ōkami games. Even its host and founder Geoff Keighley could not contain his emotions as he revealed an up-and-coming sequel to the Zelda-like classic, with director Hideki Kamiya returning to oversee the project. 

The one-minute-long Ōkami sequel trailer broadcast during the ceremony showed little more than footage of a white wolf running through a dark forest and a wildflower field. But it was enough to get long-time fans excited for a sequel they hadn’t even dared hope for. Countless reaction videos popped up on the web before long, some reaching tens of thousands of views, showcasing the enduring aura and appeal of the original game released on PlayStation 2 in 2006. 

Developed by Clover Studio, Ōkami follows the Shinto goddess Amaterasu, who transforms into a white wolf to save a world plagued by darkness. IGN’s Game of the Year winner garnered cult status for its engaging gameplay and enchanting visuals conjuring up the traditional Japanese ukiyo-e art style. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige, this action-adventure game also honored Japanese calligraphy through an inventive Celestial brush feature evoking the ancestral technique of Sumi-e brush painting.

Often dubbed an underrated masterpiece, Ōkami influenced action adventures like Prince of Persia and Bayonetta. Its legacy can also be felt in the renewed interest in Japanese folklore and mythology, which transpires in entries as diverse as the souls-like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and the action RPG Nioh. Even the iGaming industry has looked up to Japan for inspiration, with software developers rolling out machine slots like Shogun’s Land, Bushido Bounty, and Kamakura.

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Despite Ōkami’s critical success, the original sold quite poorly – which didn’t stop Capcom from porting the game to the PS3 and PS4, as well as Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. However, the publisher waited a while before tapping into its franchise potential. In all likelihood, fans will also have to hold their horses as this sequel might be several years away. 

Still, Capcom finally greenlighting an Ōkami sequel feels like a glimmer of hope for fans of dormant IPs. In a recent press release to investors, the Japanese company confirmed its intention to delve into its rich library of content to “produce high-quality titles” alongside major new installments in its flagship series like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter. It is unclear whether these revivals will be brand-new entries, remakes, or remasters. 

For now, the Capcom fandom can only speculate as to what comes next. While some are daydreaming of a Dino Crisis renaissance, others are clamoring for a new Mega Man title. Before seeing their wishes granted, gamers can gear up for the impending release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 2026. Until then, Capcom will keep them busy with triple-A blockbusters like Monster Hunter Wilds and compilations like Capcom Fighting Collection 2, which both drop in 2025.