Revolutionizing the Pikmin Series: Bold New Changes Await in Future Games

Highlights

While remaining faithful to the beloved series formula, the game also introduces fresh elements that lend it a distinct charm; nevertheless, it may err on the side of caution in certain areas.

Pikmin 4, the highly anticipated installment of the franchise, has finally hit the shelves to the delight of fans. With its captivating world, refined gameplay, and charming Pikmin companions, it fulfills all the desires that fans have been longing for over the past decade. Although it successfully remains faithful to the series' established formula, there is a slight tendency for Pikmin 4 to play it safe in certain aspects.

It is Time for Pikmin to Change

The franchise's storytelling has always taken a back seat, with players embarking on a familiar journey through four renowned RTS titles. Despite the engaging gameplay, Pikmin games seem to follow a predictable plot structure, and Pikmin 4 is no exception. It would have been refreshing if Nintendo had stepped out of their comfort zone and delivered an innovative narrative experience for players to discover.

While the first Pikmin game boasted an innovative puzzle-solving gameplay, its narrative was not its strongest suit. Players assumed the role of Captain Olimar, the franchise's beloved mascot, who crash-landed on a perplexing planet teeming with adorable Pikmin creatures. Olimar relied on these helpful Pikmin to navigate the vast world, collect vital spaceship components, combat hostile foes, and ultimately escape the planet's clutches within a strict 30-day timeframe. Once all necessary items were gathered, Olimar bid farewell to the planet's surface and embarked on a thrilling interstellar journey.

In Pikmin 2, the story took a different direction, but Pikmin 3 returned to the familiar format of the first game. Players assume the roles of three new characters who find themselves stranded on a mysterious planet and must rely on Pikmin to navigate, solve puzzles, gather resources, and rescue Captain Olimar. Though the initial setup is changed, the overall story feels quite similar.

Pikmin 4 introduces a fresh set of characters and reimagines the crash-landing storyline once again. Players now control their own custom character, assisting in the rescue of the stranded Rescue Corps on a mysterious planet. They must utilize Pikmin to explore levels, solve puzzles, collect treasures, and ultimately save Captain Olimar from peril. While Nintendo has incorporated new features to rejuvenate the gameplay, the narrative will likely feel familiar to long-time fans of the series.

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While there is nothing inherently wrong with a simple story, Nintendo has the potential to take the Pikmin series to new heights. The vast expanse of the sci-fi galaxy is waiting to be explored, with countless unique tales to be told and untapped discoveries of new Pikmin species. Players could face off against a malevolent entity hellbent on destroying the galaxy, save a planet from impending disaster, embark on a galactic quest to uncover lost secrets, or even aid Captain Olimar in his well-deserved retirement. The possibilities for Nintendo to expand upon this concept are numerous, and it is our hope that Pikmin 5 will be the platform for them to do so.

The crash-landing narrative, while still engaging, has been featured in three consecutive games. It may be time for these characters to have their pilot licenses revoked and for a fresh, innovative story to take its place. It doesn't need to reach the level of The Last of Us, but it should undoubtedly possess its own unique charm. Introducing a new Pikmin story could rejuvenate the series, breathing new life into it and potentially attracting new players to what is presently one of Nintendo's most underrated franchises.

Pikmin 4 is available now on Switch.