Following the announcement of an Ōkami sequel at The Game Awards, speculation immediately arose regarding its game engine. IGN exclusively confirms that the game will indeed utilize Capcom's RE Engine, based on interviews with key project leads.

In a detailed interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine, explaining Machine Head Works' role as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall direction), Clover (development lead), and the RE Engine. Sakata highlighted Machine Head Works' prior experience collaborating with Capcom, understanding their needs, and working with director Hideki Kamiya. Crucially, they possess extensive experience with the RE Engine, providing invaluable support to Clover's developers who lack such experience. Furthermore, Machine Head Works includes personnel who worked on the original Ōkami, contributing their expertise to the sequel.

When asked about the appeal of RE Engine and its advantages for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi succinctly replied, "Yes," elaborating that Capcom believes realizing Kamiya-san's artistic vision for this project wouldn't be possible without RE Engine. Kamiya himself added that RE Engine is renowned for its expressive capabilities, aligning perfectly with fan expectations for the sequel's visual quality.

Sakata further teased the potential of RE Engine, suggesting it will allow the team to achieve goals unattainable during the original Ōkami's development. He stated that current technology, coupled with RE Engine, enables them to surpass their previous ambitions.

RE Engine, Capcom's proprietary engine initially developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, powers many of their major titles, including the Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma series. While many RE Engine games feature realistic art styles, the prospect of its application to Ōkami's distinct aesthetic is intriguing. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, and its gradual integration into RE Engine, suggests the Ōkami sequel may incorporate elements of both.

A complete Q&A from our interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads is available.