Capcom's Revival of Classic IPs Continues with Okami and Onimusha
Capcom has announced its continued focus on reviving classic intellectual properties (IPs), kicking off with new installments in the Okami and Onimusha franchises. This strategy aims to deliver high-quality content to players by leveraging Capcom's extensive game library.
A New Era for Onimusha and Okami
In a December 13th press release, Capcom confirmed its commitment to revitalizing dormant IPs. A new Onimusha title, set in Edo-period Kyoto, is slated for a 2026 release. A Okami sequel is also in development, with the original game's director and development team returning. The release date for the Okami sequel remains unannounced.
Capcom explicitly stated its intention to "re-activate dormant IPs," emphasizing the creation of "highly efficient, high-quality titles." This strategy complements ongoing projects like Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, both scheduled for 2025 release. The company continues to develop new IP as well, with recent releases including Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Exoprimal.
Fan Favorites in the Spotlight: Clues from the "Super Elections"
Capcom's February 2024 "Super Elections," a fan vote for desired sequels and remakes, offers potential insight into future releases. The results highlighted strong demand for titles such as Dino Crisis, Darkstalkers, Onimusha, and Breath of Fire.
While Capcom remains discreet about its future plans, the "Super Elections" results, including the popular votes for Onimusha and Okami, suggest a strong possibility of these franchises receiving renewed attention in the form of sequels or remasters. The significant dormancy of franchises like Dino Crisis (last installment: 1997) and Darkstalkers (last installment: 2003) makes them prime candidates for revival. Even Breath of Fire, despite a brief online RPG foray (2016-2017), remains a potential target for a comeback.
