Pikmin 4: A Revolutionary Gaming Experience Unveiled

A daring yet accident-prone astronaut named Captain Olimar navigates the vastness of space alone, only to inevitably crash land on a remote planet and find himself stranded. This opening sequence will be familiar to those who have previously immersed themselves in the Nintendo series that made its debut in 2001. However, in Pikmin 4, the main character is not Captain Olimar or any other predetermined individual; instead, the player assumes the role of the hero in this thrilling space adventure.

The initial alteration to the gameplay in Pikmin 4 immediately becomes apparent: the introduction of character customization. Players now have the ability to personalize their character's appearance by choosing from various hairstyles, skin tones, suit colors, and even a collection of accessories. This simple creator seamlessly integrates with the game's straightforward atmosphere, setting the stage for a plethora of design changes that enhance the excitement of exploring the enigmatic planet PNF-404.

Many individuals have overlooked Pikmin due to its game's cute graphics and overall atmosphere, assuming that the series is designed primarily for children. However, Pikmin is, in fact, a real-time strategy (RTS) game at its core, incorporating all the defining elements of this genre, albeit in a slightly simplified manner. While the franchise may not boast the sweeping landscapes or intricacies typically associated with real-time strategy games, it still involves assembling strategically diverse troops into an army and deploying them to conquer enemy territories.

Nintendo successfully achieved the task of creating an intuitive and straightforward way to navigate a console game in a genre typically suited for a mouse and keyboard. Since the first game, very little has fundamentally changed, with each new Pikmin release only making minor adjustments to improve the user experience. However, despite the consistent blueprint, fans remain satisfied.

Out of all the games in the series, Pikmin 4 may introduce the most significant changes, seamlessly integrating them as if they were always part of the game. The most notable change is the addition of Oatchi, a dog character who provides assistance in various ways. Oatchi acts as a mount, effortlessly carrying both the player and the entire group of Pikmin. This proves invaluable when safely transporting the more hydrophobic Pikmin across bodies of water.

Oatchi, the adorable and loyal companion, serves multiple purposes in the world of Pikmin. Not only does he offer much-needed warmth to chilly Pikmin, but he also uses his strength to bring down objects that are out of reach. Additionally, his small size allows him to navigate through dog-sized tunnels and activate switches.

One of Oatchi's valuable skills is his ability to charge into enemies, launching a horde of budding soldiers on his back like a catapult. This tactic proves to be incredibly handy in battles. However, perhaps Oatchi's most crucial role is that of a guard pup. By leveling up, he gains the strength of 100 Pikmin and experiences a significant boost in health. Moreover, during the night, he can be assigned to a specific location, where he will tirelessly defend it without much intervention required from the player.

Pikmin 4 introduces a new and exciting feature called night mode, adding a tower defense element to the gameplay. Unlike previous games, the protagonist now explores and collects Glow Sap from Lumiknolls structures during the nighttime. However, these structures are constantly attacked by enemies, and the player must protect them until morning with the help of Oatchi and the Glow Pikmin, a new plant-based ally. The Glow Pikmin are unique as they are almost indestructible and resistant to various elements like fire, electricity, water, ice, and poison. While the night adventures are not particularly challenging, they provide an enjoyable diversion from the main objective of rebuilding the spaceship and rescuing castaways.

In addition, there are other elements that change the gameplay. One of them is Dandori, a Japanese term meaning "strategic planning" in the context of Pikmin. Dandori is divided into battles and challenges, both of which are incredibly enjoyable. In the timed split-screen Dandori Battles, players can engage in co-op or solo play with AI, aiming to strategically overcome obstacles and efficiently gather treasure compared to their opponent. Dandori Challenges, on the other hand, require players to collect everything on the map before time runs out. Achieving a higher score than the opponent or collecting more items results in different medals, encouraging players to replay this mode multiple times in order to master Dandori.

In the main missions, the Dandori concept is enhanced by the Rewind mechanic. The previous games had a looming deadline for players to rebuild the spaceship, but now that is gone. Time still progresses and there is a day/night cycle, but the pressure of the countdown has been removed. Any mistake made during a day, whether significant or small, can be rectified by rewinding time to predetermined checkpoints. This refreshing change allows for thorough exploration if desired and the ability to backtrack if any unfortunate decisions result in the loss of beloved Pikmin.

Introduced in the second mainline entry, caves make a comeback in Pikmin 4 as the game's dungeons. These dungeons provide a refreshing break from the core gameplay loop and offer a wide range of designs. For instance, there is a dungeon equipped with moving walkways, fans, and bouncy platforms that require light puzzle-solving skills. Another cave features a relentless sub-dimensional being that relentlessly pursues the player and their army of plant critters. Lastly, an ice dungeon presents falling icicles and frosty foes, necessitating the use of Blue and Ice Pikmin to reach the end.

Pikmin 4 also introduces a new species called Ice Pikmin. True to their name, these Pikmin freeze enemies for a specific period either by attacking them or, if need be, by being eaten. Regardless of the method used, temporarily transforming foes into popsicles proves to be incredibly useful as it diminishes the difficulty of challenging encounters. Additionally, Ice Pikmin can freeze puddles and ponds by throwing enough of them into the water, thus enabling their non-aquatic companions to cross safely.

A surprise for fans of the series, Pikmin 4 introduces a central hub on the unfamiliar planet where the protagonists find themselves stranded. In previous Pikmin games, the focus was mainly on three characters working together to fix their crashed spaceship. However, in Pikmin 4, this hub gradually expands as more and more stranded travelers are rescued. What was once a solitary endeavor now becomes a bustling outpost, with numerous non-player characters (NPCs) accounted for. These NPCs offer various tasks that can be completed in exchange for valuable resources.

This currency is utilized for purchasing upgrades for the player's equipment and Oatchi's, with some being essential, such as the Homesick Signal, which directs all idle Pikmin back to the home base. Additionally, the hub serves as a convenient location to obtain useful items like Pikpik Carrots, which temporarily immobilize enemies, or Scrummy Bones, which heal Oatchi. As the player completes objectives, their canine companion earns skill points that can be used at the outpost Trainer to enhance carrying capacity, maximum health, digging speed, and other advantageous attributes.

If there is any aspect to criticize in Pikmin 4, it would be its co-op implementation. In the previous games, Player 2 controlled a second character; however, in this new version, they only command a floating reticle on the screen to throw pebbles at enemies. It lacks the sensation of two individuals working together to accomplish tasks and instead feels like Player 2 is merely an assistant, and a negligible one at that.

Pikmin 4 presents an array of game modes, enemy types, and various Pikmin species for players to familiarize themselves with. However, the learning curve is remarkably smooth, as the game gradually introduces new mechanics, Pikmin types, and puzzles in a way that is easy to comprehend. There is no shortage of content to keep fans thoroughly engaged and entertained. Completing the main campaign alone takes approximately 20 hours, but that's merely the tip of the iceberg. Beyond that, players can delve into post-credit activities, including an unlocked side mode called "Olimar's Shipwreck Tale," which offers a nostalgic revisit to the narrative and gameplay elements of the original games.

While each Pikmin game has followed the established winning formula for the past two decades, every installment has introduced its own unique tweaks. Pikmin 4 has taken the biggest leap in this regard, yet it seamlessly feels like a logical and fitting progression. The core gameplay remains the same, providing fans with hours of whimsical RTS challenge and enjoyable moments. However, the introduction of new modes and mechanics prevents the experience from becoming stale. Similar to its predecessors, Pikmin 4 surpasses its predecessors, showcasing continuous improvement. Aside from the co-op feature, there are hardly any negatives about the game, except for perhaps the loading times. Nonetheless, it serves as a testament to the greatness of Pikmin 4 that even waiting 30 seconds to jump back into the game feels too long.

Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4, the latest addition to Nintendo's real-time strategy puzzle series, invites players to embark on an adventure in a mysterious and unconventional planet. As part of the Rescue Corps, players will assume the role of a rookie, accompanied by their trustworthy team members and adorable space pup Oatchi, all while relying on the ever-dependable Pikmin. Experience the captivating world of Pikmin 4 on Nintendo Switch.