Okage: Shadow King

[Kaori-chan]

Now, I know not many people have heard of Okage (PS2), but out of all the people on cosplay.com, someone MUST have played it. This is, in my opinion, one of the (if not THE) best games out there. I mean, sure it's short, and sure there are some shortcomings (the loading time comes to mind), but no game is perfect. I find Okage entertaining, whimsical, and refreshing from almost every other RPG there is out there. It's certainly the most original game I've ever played (and I'm big on originality), and the graphics and soundtrack are absolutely stunning.

But aside from the rave review I've just given this game, I want to know who else out there has played this game! Do you like it? (Just please, if you don't, and you want to say so, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't flame. Thank you.) Is there anything you would change, and why? If you beat it, what do you think of the ending? And if you haven't played it, I highly reccommend it.

[SaberMarionette]

It's one of my favorite games, everything about it (to me) is perfect! I also like Mystical Ninja for nintendo 64.

[dmdflarekojima]

I like it a lot. I had a chance to play it at E3 three years ago and loved it then, loved it at it's release and still love today. I've had it forever and won't let it go, just like my Guilty Gear X2 copy.

[Kaori-chan]

It's what made me choose PS2 over Gamecube when I had to choose. My first PS2 game and definitely my favorite game, though DDR comes kinda close. I hope to do a Rosalyn or Marlene cosplay in the future; possibly both. Oh yeah, and did anyone else catch the symbolism in the game? It's most prevalent at the end, but it's pretty much there throughout. Just wondering...

[Homunculus]

^^ I love that game. My friend actualy got me into it as she bought it. My fave ish Epros who's yours?

~Permit my Hazard into your plight... once life sucked now tis alright?~

[Kaori-chan]

Epros is great, but I thought he was a "she" at first - it took them refering to him as "he" several times to get it through my head that he's a guy. ^^; My favorite is Rosalyn, followed closely by Stan. He just amuses me, especially when he and Rosalyn try to participate in the same conversation, or even exist in the same room. There are a couple Okage cosplayers lurking around here somewhere, has anyone else seen their pics? I found them on a search one time...

[Homunculus]

I've seen a couple of pictures of Okage cosplayers. my friends and I are going to make a movie with okage charecters in it.. I get to be epros so I might keep my costume and take it to a con.

[Kaori-chan]

Ooooooooh! I Wanna Seeee!

[Dragon Sama]

I thought the style of the charas rocked. Good game :D !!!

[KHs_Sora]

The only thing I didnt like were the dungeons were uber boring and uncreative you just wondered till you found the boss. But everything else was great.

[Kaori-chan]

Yeah, they were kinda the same thing over and over, but I like that you didn't spend HOURS trying to get through the darned things. Unless you wanted to.

Does anyone else think there should be an Okage soundtrack? The music in that game is some of the best game music I've ever heard!!!

[aonceu]

Wow, other active Okage fans. I was kinda bummed that i found out about Okage a little late (i got it used and heavily discounted from GameStop) but its nice that there is a thread dedicated to this great game. Are any of you guys Okage cosplayers as well?

As for game music, there actually is an Okage soundtrack. Its rare but i managed to get a copy from a website. It was kind of expensive too, about $40 or so but it is a two cd set. I thought it was worth it. I have the link stored somewhere, ill post it here when i find it.

[tristasusen]

YEAH!!!! That game was excellent....It was SOOOOO good. I enjoyed every minute of it.

The game was hilarious. And it remind me of something Tim Burton would make like James and the GIant peach or Nightmare Before Christmas.

[Kaori-chan]

THERE'S A SOUNDTRACK? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post the link when you find it! I'll be forever in your debt. ^^

I've heard alot of comparisons to Okage and Tim Burton's work, but did you all know there's a tribute to him in the game? It's the hill behind the circus grounds near Rashelo..... I know alot of people probably know this already but it's cool to point out. And I will be an Okage cosplayer as soon as I finish the other costumes I'm doing: three in progress and one in planning. ^^;;;

[aonceu]

Haha, that hill was one of my favorite locations in the game. And wasnt there a tiny gear hidden at the very edge of it too? So which characters are you planning on cosplaying? I might do a human King Stan costume in the future once i finish everything else, but well see.

Okay, now the news youve all been waiting for. I managed to find my receipt printout for the soundtrack and the website is http://www.cocoebiz.com. According to the website, theyre currently out of stock of Okage soundtracks but they should be getting some more in next month.

[Kaori-chan]

HUMAN KING STAN! Does anyone else think he looks like Akira from DDR? Hehehe, that's one I'd love to see cosplayed. There may have been a tiny gear on the hill, but there was also one of those scrambled messages there..... crypto-somethings. I forget what they were called, but I had fun figuring them out. I wanna cosplay Rosalyn, Marlene, or both. If I do both, it'll prolly be Rosalyn first. I'll have to save up my money so I can get yellow contacts.....

Oh, and infinite thanks for the soundtrack link! *squee of happiness* So they're the only ones lisenced to sell it overseas.... that's why I wasn't finding any others....

[aonceu]

Youre right! It was one of those messages...cypher texts, i think? Ah, i cant remember. Those were fun though.

While at AX, i ran into a Rosalyn cosplayer. She wasnt wearing her costume right when i met her but we met up again later on so we could take pictures together. She was really cool. We ended up meeting a bunch of people who loved Okage as well and are hoping to encourage more people to cosplay and get a gathering going next AX.

Its really too bad that not many more people know about Okage. It was such a great game. Though i have been hearing that since its discounted now, more people are trying it. So thats good news.

[Kaori-chan]

Cyphertexts! THAT'S what they were! Yeah, I'm glad they discounted the game so more people are trying it. *got it when it was like 60, myself XD* For awhile I couldn't find any Okage fans here on Cosplay.com, so it's really exciting to see that this thread has two whole pages now! I hope more and more people try the game because it's too good to miss out on!!!

[Mikei]

I really liked okage from what I played of it. My friend bought it when it first came out here. I got through like 75% then my friend took it back. I really enjoyed it.


Stan is teh rawks :bigtu:

[Kaori-chan]

Yay, another Okage fan! Welcome! XD Stan rules. I especially love the things he and Rosalyn call each other.... "Flat-butted, three-dimensionally challenged evil king", "spatula face", and "dishwater woman" come to mind....hehehe :D

[waste0fcarb0n]

Sorry, but I just didn't get into that game as much as other people... I'm mostly a sci-fi RPG player... (Xenosaga, FFVII, etc...)

I got the game as a gift and played it for about 10 or so hours at the most. The game was just not interesting to me, so I traded it in...

[Mikei]

Alot of people did the same thing. I guess it was just too weird and quirky for most people to hold on to it. My friend traded it in as well.. One of the reasons I couldn't finish it.

[aonceu]

I hear its $5 at Circuit City now, if they have it in stock. And its brand new. I got my used, scratched up copy for $20...but hey, that was last year.. Thinking about picking up a brand new copy though.. When i have money. Im that poor.. :waaaah:

[Kaori-chan]

I got into it when one of my friends rented it.. I was spending the night at their house and I was like "I wanna play!" so I did. I didn't even have a PS2 then... when I got a new console Okage convinced me to go PS2, and it was my first game: the $60 brand-new copy. XD Well, it was for Christmas, so it makes more sense *tries to wait major purchases like that til Xmas and Bday so I have more money and a better excuse to buy them since my mom isn't into anime OR games*

[aonceu]

Are any of you guys cosplaying Okage this year?

[Kaori-chan]

I doubt I'll have any time to do any more costumes than the ones I already have planned this year. Maybe next year though... but I definitely will do it. Sometime. Whenever that may be. (X_X) Curse my lack of time and resources!

[Nerve-chan]

Oh my GOD!
Okage is still remebered? Well, i remember playing the game and my last thoughts were..."What a sec... that was it?"

[Jujubeans]

I bought the game and rid the world of two evil creatures. However afterwards, the game didn't give me any direction, so I lost interest in it. The characters on the other hand were awesome.

[Kaori-chan]

I thoroughly enjoyed the game, it was perfect for beginning RPG players like I was when I played through the first time. The reason I felt lost sometimes is because it actually makes you talk to the NPCs to progress; in most games I've noticed you just kinda go from point A to point B without really talking to anyone unless you have to. In Okage you actually have to find out for yourself where to go, and I like that - but it does get kind of annoying when you're trying to replay and already know what you have to do. They left room for a sequel, which I like, but I don't think they'll make one. Sadness. :'(

[Pikacello]

aonceu: My favorite Ari!!! ^____^ I dunno if you remember me, but I was the oogling person at Fanime... =) =) I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you or anything... I was really happy to see your group!! I was gonna point you out before I saw you posted here!
I am planning an Ari and Stan sometime in the future! Are you gonna be wearing your human Stan to any particular con?? Maybe we could meet up??

[Jes]

<3333 I <3 that game. and soo hope to do a Rosalyn Cosplay. She rooocks

[Kaori-chan]

Yeah, I really wanna do a Rosalyn cosplay. She's one of my favorite characters (the other being Stan, hehe). I also may do a Marlene cosplay if I get the chance, but Rosalyn comes first.

[Jes]

Yeah the Cosplay of Rosalyn is totally awesome.

[aonceu]

aonceu: My favorite Ari!!! ^____^ I dunno if you remember me, but I was the oogling person at Fanime... =) =) I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you or anything... I was really happy to see your group!! I was gonna point you out before I saw you posted here!
I am planning an Ari and Stan sometime in the future! Are you gonna be wearing your human Stan to any particular con?? Maybe we could meet up??

Haha, i thought you were great. The entire group was glad someone recognized us and even appreciated us as much as you did. So thanks, you made our day. :bigtu:

I wanted to cosplay Ari again this year but i dont think its going to happen. Since we didnt finish this years costumes in time for Fanime, we almost decided to recosplay Okage but ended up doing whatever was easier. Too bad, id gladly trade in my tidus costume for the Okage group again.

It might be a while before i do Human Evil King Stan but let me know when youre going to cosplay Ari and Stan. I definitely want to take pics and may even be inspired to make my human Stan costume. btw, are you going to AX?

[Faroresama]

Um, hello? aonceu directed me here....I'm doing a Rosalyn cosplay for AX this year! Is anyone else gonna come?

[ichi]

Oh Lord. Creator of this thread, I love you with my eight less-than-beating hearts. ):

Anyway, I'm currently in the process of beating the chairman evil king(yeah, I'm stuck at the beginning of the game. >> My friend Stephanie is helping me a ton)

All I have to say about the general graphics+gameplay, summed up in one word, would be innovative. It's a new, fresh style that really adds to the pseudo-childish storyline.

I'm actually planning an Epros cosplay, too. :3 I'm going to try my best to find some clear material to cut into platforms for my shoes, too, so it looks like I'm floating. <3

[aonceu]

We had a small Okage gathering at AX this year which was really cool. Unfortunately im probably going to retire my Okage costume despite it being my favorite costume. Im just glad i got to cosplay Ari and Stan again before i permanently nail Stan onto my wall. The gathering was really cool though. We had a near complete group (no Big Bull though) and music. Ill post up pics when i get back from vacation. So are any of you guys planning on cosplaying Okage anytime?

[EdNChrnoFanGurl]

I miss this game ;_; King Stan kicked ass xD It's pretty rare to find Okage cosplayers.

[phantomthief]

Hah... I never saw this thread XD

I LOVE this game!!! :D After you get used to the crappy loading times, it rocks...

Well, I gotta say that my favorite character is good ol' EPPY!!! I love Epros >.< Corny-est thing EVER. He rhymes everywhere and... for goodness sake he FLOATS!!! :D Does anyone remember what he says when you meet him???

"*something**something* and *Something* I bring, You may just call me *SPOILER XD*."

I'm working on both Epros and Ari because... Well... I AM Ari XD I need a Stan...

~Ari-chan

[aonceu]

I finally put up the pics we took at the Okage gathering at AX this year. There are some in my gallery and i uploaded some onto Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/72202739@N00/sets/677524/).

Im still trying to decide what to do with my Ari costume. I dont want to retire it but i feel like ive outgrown it. I looked like crap in all the pics i took this year..

Hope you guys enjoy the pics. We had a lot of fun. If any of you guys cosplay Okage be sure to let us know. and post pics!

[hitension]

Eee ^_^ I love Okage too. It's pretty much the only PS2 game I miss now that I don't have a PS2 ;_; I was so surprised it didn't get more popular-- I'm not really into Tim Burton (and besides, he is hugely popular) but I've seen the comparison often, so it's not like it was "too weird" for people... Maybe because the game itself was sort of generic next to the awesome story and characters? :/

Aonceu: Your cosplay group looks amazing! =o!! I'm curious if you guys got recognized very often?


I wanted to do a Linda cosplay but ended up changing to Colette [ToS] because it was like impossible to find a large, clear picture of her costume~ Yeah, it's a simple costume, but looking at fanart reveals that people have widely varying ideas of how it's supposed to look >.< I wouldn't do the costume for another year, and I'm nowhere near AX, but it is nice to think about. There were a few (or at least one) Okage people at Anime Boston last year, but I didn't get the picture because my camera broke T__T

*I hope this thread isn't considered "too old" >.> I didn't see the point of starting a new one*

[darkdjinn]

Wow... last post 08/05, new post 03/06...

Not as much raising the dead as that one other post, but wow...

P.S. Never played this game, but have seen someone wear the goofy shadow thing on there back once as a costume...

[aonceu]

yeah, this thread has dead periods when nobody posts anything but during convention season itll get a couple new posts. the thread starter is usually really good at making people feel welcome here but she hasnt posted anything here in a while.

hitension: a lot of people came to take pictures of the group, i guess big props get a lot of attention. as for how many of them actually recognized us im not really sure. there were a couple people who came up to us and acknowledged okage though which is always cool. i think more people recognized us the year before since we wore the costumes all four days instead of just for the gathering.

let us know if you guys do any okage cosplays, theyre my favorites to see.

[minuberry]

I do own the game but I havent had time to beat it yet....; plus I do believe Im stuck

[ToonMasta]

I'm a future Okage cosplayer. Stan is my favorite by far - Shadow Stan, not human Stan (I've seen some smexy renditions of him, but I thought he looked downright ugly as a human in the game), but I also love Ari, Epros, and James. Okage and EarthBound (as well as Mother 3, even if it isn't translated) are both very close to my heart, and I see a lot of similarities in both games, like originality and humor. I'd encourage fans of one to play the other, if you haven't already. Overlooked games need much love, yes?

Since you're all fans, do you have any suggestions for my best friend, who I'm trying to help put together a Shadow-Stan costume so she can follow me around at cons and such? (With me as Ari, naturally) Right now our biggest problem is figuring out how to do - and what to use - for the arms. I'd appreciate any advice. I've noticed hardly anyone has actually done a cosplay of Stan, mostly just cutouts and the like, so any advice would be gladly appreciated. ^^"

[RedeadDie]

Okage is the most epic game out there for me! I'm trying my hardest to convince my lil sis to be Ari and my older sis to be Epros, so I can be the Almighty Evil King Stan for a cosplay group thing together.

[ToonMasta]

What Stan were you thinking? Human Stan or Shadow? My friend's going to a con as Shadow Stan so she can follow me (as Ari!) around, but we're having some troubles trying to figure out how to work this... I thought it would be good to get feedback from other Okage cosplayers, but everyone cosplays as human Stan and not the shadow one... VoV

[TheEmoHandbag]

Oh gosh, seeing a post that was even made this year is heartwarming. XD I *just* bought this game used for $5...fell in love with it within seconds. I hope they make a sequel so badly, though...or maybe even a remake. This seems like the type of game that could do absolutely FABULOUS with a higher budget, especially with so painfully few JRPGS on the PS3 nowadays.

...But, ahah, yeah, cosplay. Someday, maybe an Ari...

[ToonMasta]

Yes! Someone else posted to the thread! I'm so glad!

That game totally rocks. I would love for there to be a sequel, unfortunately I don't think Zener Works exists anymore... though the game was also Sony, so maybe they'd do something...

X3 I'll be Ari this New Year's for a local con, if I can get my stuff together. (I have one glove done, then I just need to make the cover for my headband, do the other glove, and alter my shirt a little bit). I'm so excited... It's always good to meet fellow OKAGE fans...

One thing I'd be worried about if they remade it is that it would lose its stylistic integrity... A lot of games nowadays sacrifice style for realism and good graphics...

Let's hope people continue to update! ^^

[TheEmoHandbag]

Haha, no problem! Surely some old fans are still around, just gotta hold out...

And it's pretty odd, but from what I understand Zener Works actually relaunched their website mid-2007 and updated earlier this year! *_* It probably doesn't mean much, but oh man, we can dream...

Oh man, your Ari sounds so boss. Do you still have a shadow!Stan going? It's probably not very helpful, but I saw a really good one where it looks like they made the costume as sort of a slip-cover and used thick enough material that the head and shoulder spikes simply stayed in the shape they were sewn in. (XD Oh god, that sounds a little confusing when I re-read it...)

And yeah, it's really sad seeing the direction "good" graphics have taken...but I think they've started to subvert that lately! :D ...I hope. XD It does get pretty boring, seeing everyone so realistic, it makes you nostalgic for games like Psychonauts and Okage where the models were just downright WONKY.

[ToonMasta]

Really? They updated?!!! That's awesome! And my Stan still is going as Shadow Stan, if I can get her to actually set to work on the costume. Unfortunately, she hates the game, but she agreed to go anyway. I was playing Touch Detective the other day and thinking that stylistically it was similar to Okage, but not quite as fun. I'm also thinking of going as the main character from that someday. Wonky graphics deserve love! I think, for one, Animal Crossing is a game with stylistic integrity. There are few games out there with "good graphics" that I like - one of them is Persona 3, but that's because of storyline. ^^ I hope more games like Okage surface pretty soon...

Thanks for the tips for Shadow Stan. My friend has an idea. She says she's gonna make a frame for the costume out of pvc piping - I suggested the plastic that they use to hold kites together - kite rods, would you call it? - because it would be lighter and easier to move in. She's either gonna use poles for his arms and move them around like a puppet, or she'll use her own arms. Your suggestion sounds really good. I'll see if I can figure it out better. If I can get my friend to take some pics with me I'll be able to post at least some of my in-progress Ari cosplay. At this point all I can do is take pics with my cell phone, which have really bad resolution...

By the way, what is Zener's website url? I can't seem to find it by looking it up... ^^" I'll keep at it and see what I can find...

[TheEmoHandbag]

Ahaha, she hates it yet she's cosplaying it!? That...that takes balls, man. XD

But holy crap, Touch Detective! I LOVED that game.~ There's nothing nicer than a good 'ol adventure/puzzle game with a kickass style. Hoooo I might have to break that out later. Speaking of which, ever try Professor Layton? S' purely a puzzle game, but it's worth the cash and the designs fall into the same vein as Okage and TD - the main characters are relatively normal-looking if not adorable while the NPCs are all highly stylized. Music's great, too. :D (Also, speaking of Persona...P4 comes out in a month, you gettin' it? The wait's killing me...! ;_;)

Hahaha, oh wow, gotta remember this is a cosplay board...

The Stan costume sounds like it'll shape up nicely! Hehehe, those creeper-pipe-arms would be a blast. :P Imagine seeing that shadow when you're walking by a alleyway at night...Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the pictures!

Lastly, Zener's site is: http://www.zener.co.jp/

[Michi]

You guys, it's really better to just make new threads instead of dragging along threads from years ago.

Not to mention, this is Video Game Chat. Chat about the games here, not costumes. Go to Costume Discussion: Video Games if you wish to discuss Okage cosplay.

Thanks! :bigtu:

[ToonMasta]

It IS a video game board, not cosplay. I'm not used to this site, so I got confused when I was posting.

Yeah, Layton rocks! I've been waiting for the second and third ones to come out forever, but... for some reason they haven't been released over here yet? I want to know why... I know they've been out in Japan for quite a while... And I have P4 reserved. Can't wait 'til December 9th (which, incidentally, is the same day Dark Knight comes out... I work at a video store so I knows these things).

I had actually found the site almost right after my last post, but thanks for the link. Do you know anything about that Crossgate Puk game? It looked so cute... What other games are out there like Okage? I've always been a fan of the Mother series, myself. I think in comic elements they share some similarities...

You said you'd just recently gotten the game, aye? How far have you gotten? I'm so excited to finally be able to talk with other people who geek out over this game... Because my friends are no help at all... >.>