Fresh from my trip to Japan, where I wandered through misty mountain trails and quiet temple gardens, I stumbled into Devcom and found a game that instantly felt like home: OKU. Developed by Irox Games OKU is a Japan-inspired journey that feels less like a traditional video game and more like drifting through a living woodblock painting.
The moment the demo began, I was struck by its visual poetry. Rolling hills, blossoms floating on the wind, the warm tones of autumn forests, all rendered in a style directly inspired by traditional Japanese ukiyo-e prints. It’s serene and dreamlike, yet grounded in the kind of natural beauty I had just seen with my own eyes on trains through the Japanese countryside.
Gameplay matches that meditative mood. You guide a ronin-like wanderer who glides across slopes and streams, carried forward by subtle currents of wind. The mechanics are simple, jumping, drifting, soaring, but they carry an elegance that makes every movement feel like a breath. Where most games chase speed or spectacle, OKU asks you to slow down, to let go, and to flow with its rhythm.
What truly makes OKU unique is its use of poetry. As you travel, you collect words and fragments that form haiku-like verses. These poems don’t just decorate the world, they shape it. Writing becomes a key to unlock hidden paths, awaken forgotten spirits, and bring life back to quiet corners. It’s a beautiful mechanic, one that captures Japan’s deep connection between language, nature, and reflection.
Walking away from the booth, I realized why OKU resonated so strongly: it mirrored the feelings I carried back from Japan. The quiet awe of temples at dusk, the way wind bends through tall grass, the timeless beauty in a single fleeting moment. OKU isn’t just another indie curiosity; it’s an invitation to slow down and rediscover the world through poetry, meditation, and silence. And after playing it, I can’t wait to see what verses I’ll write when the full journey unfolds.
