Okami has been delayed so many times that I can still remember the buzz it garnered from LAST YEAR'S E3. Yup, it's been making the rounds that long. But it should be no surprise to anyone that the wait has been worth it, and Clover Studio (the team behind the Viewtiful Joe games) has outdone itself yet again. The visuals are absolutely astounding, like a fine painting brought to life, and the gameplay has touches of sheer genius, including the introduction of the "celestial brush" and an efficient, if simple, combat engine. Okami is one of the best games of the year, and, not surprisingly, one of the best games for the PS2 in this, its final year on the market. Don't let this exquisite wolf slip away.