It's been ages since I played it, I don't remember that it gets better. I should have listened to the reviews back then, because they all said that it was generally very easy and might bore more experienced players.

I love that game, but if you are not enjoying it at that point I am not sure I can see it getting better for you for the rest of it.

Though if you just beat Orochi, that's more like a quarter of the game if memory serves. Ōkami is quite longer than your classic Legend of Zelda game, I'd say for me it took a bit more than twice as long to complete the first time compared to, say, Twilight Princess.

Its story is more like a series of legends rather than a unified storyline, which didn't bother me since it fits the mythology theme.

I had the same reaction. Never played it as a kid but tried it as an adult and it didn't click.

I thought Okami (currently playing the PS2 version) was great, I really liked the story as well as the art. I like a lot of the puzzles, some of them are quite clever, but there are a few that are more annoying than anything (see rolling the little rock to the correct place, that drove me nuts). I like how the celestial brush can be used for both the puzzles and the combat, but I do agree that it gets repetitive over time. I just beat the dragon myself so I can’t comment on the later parts of the game unfortunately.

Idk I played it as a child and it felt like Japanese pupper Legend of Zelda. So I would keep in mind this game was not made for adults but children. I didnt find too much challenge, not even in the Orochi fight. But I enjoyed the story enough where it was worth it to play it until completion.

I can't remember the specifics because it's been a few years but I do remember enjoying the second half a bit more.