Meet Pikmin, small, plantlike creatures you can grow, pluck, command, and overpower your enemies with! These curious helpers come in different types—fire is no sweat for Red Pikmin and the brand-new Ice Pikmin can freeze enemies and the environment. Use your Pikmin’s miniature might (and a bit of strategy) to explore this mysterious planet. You get a dog, too! Oatchi, resident good boy and dependable partner, can help with things like smashing obstacles and carrying Pikmin throughout your adventure. With the miniscule Pikmin and a capable canine in tow, no challenge is too big!
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so, so, so good
As someone whose favorite Pikmin game is 2 specifically because of its brutal dungeon-crawling, Pikmin 4 seemed to be exactly what I was looking for...
Caves are back, this time with a focus on puzzles. While I prefer the enemy gauntlets of 2, the puzzle caves fit better with 4's weaker combat controls (more on that later). Some of these caves are really clever, like the Below-Grade Discothèque and the Frozen Inferno. The final cave has two of my favorite bosses in the series. They're all a lot of fun to go through.
The areas are huge, way larger than any previous Pikmin game, and they're no longer segmented like they were in 3. They're designed with more open exploration in mind, like the first Pikmin, which is much appreciated. One of the biggest problems I had with 2 was how linear and pointless the overworlds felt. 4 has a more sensible balance between the surface and underground. Confusingly though, overworld enemies never respawn after being killed. Almost seems unintentional.
The controls are by far the largest problem, and really the only major problem. Continuing the trend from Pikmin 3, the controls have been simplified and the Pikmin AI improved. Lock-on is no longer something you decide to use, you just lock on to everything automatically and cannot easily switch targets. It's especially frustrating when there are several small enemies and treasure all bunched together, which happens a lot. The motion aiming will never feel as good as it does on Wii/Wii U because the Switch lacks a sensor bar. Oatchi is able to carry all 100 Pikmin and move around, removing the need to herd a massive squad through dangerous territories. It all just feels so... automated, as if the game plays itself. Positioning and aiming are no longer important.
It also relies way too much on Pikmin 2 nostalgia for my taste. Now I love Pikmin 2, but I'm not impressed when the game very often is "hey, remember that thing from Pikmin 2? here it is again." There are many more caves to explore, but there are only about the same number of cave themes - all pulled from 2 except the museum one. I knew upon seeing an underwater cave named the "Engulfed Castle" that the Waterwaith would show up - what I didn't know was that the entire cave layout would copy the Submerged Castle verbatim. I knew the Ultimate Testing Range would have the Man-at-Legs. I knew once I found Purple Pikmin that there would be a treasure in the final area that weighs 1000. Why else would they be here if there are barely any other heavy treasures, and their combat role has been supplanted by Rock and Ice? Pikmin 4 pulls all the same little tricks 2 did, and they all fell flat for me. It's disappointing because the game shines much more when it's developing its own new ideas, like more intricate cave puzzles. It didn't need the Pikmin 2 fanservice.
Both of the above issues are made worse by how long this thing is. I was ready for it to end after clearing the 4th area, but there are two more after! Solid game, but this stuff really drags it down for me. In the end, it just feels like a watered-down Pikmin 2.
Caves are back, this time with a focus on puzzles. While I prefer the enemy gauntlets of 2, the puzzle caves fit better with 4's weaker combat controls (more on that later). Some of these caves are really clever, like the Below-Grade Discothèque and the Frozen Inferno. The final cave has two of my favorite bosses in the series. They're all a lot of fun to go through.
The areas are huge, way larger than any previous Pikmin game, and they're no longer segmented like they were in 3. They're designed with more open exploration in mind, like the first Pikmin, which is much appreciated. One of the biggest problems I had with 2 was how linear and pointless the overworlds felt. 4 has a more sensible balance between the surface and underground. Confusingly though, overworld enemies never respawn after being killed. Almost seems unintentional.
The controls are by far the largest problem, and really the only major problem. Continuing the trend from Pikmin 3, the controls have been simplified and the Pikmin AI improved. Lock-on is no longer something you decide to use, you just lock on to everything automatically and cannot easily switch targets. It's especially frustrating when there are several small enemies and treasure all bunched together, which happens a lot. The motion aiming will never feel as good as it does on Wii/Wii U because the Switch lacks a sensor bar. Oatchi is able to carry all 100 Pikmin and move around, removing the need to herd a massive squad through dangerous territories. It all just feels so... automated, as if the game plays itself. Positioning and aiming are no longer important.
It also relies way too much on Pikmin 2 nostalgia for my taste. Now I love Pikmin 2, but I'm not impressed when the game very often is "hey, remember that thing from Pikmin 2? here it is again." There are many more caves to explore, but there are only about the same number of cave themes - all pulled from 2 except the museum one. I knew upon seeing an underwater cave named the "Engulfed Castle" that the Waterwaith would show up - what I didn't know was that the entire cave layout would copy the Submerged Castle verbatim. I knew the Ultimate Testing Range would have the Man-at-Legs. I knew once I found Purple Pikmin that there would be a treasure in the final area that weighs 1000. Why else would they be here if there are barely any other heavy treasures, and their combat role has been supplanted by Rock and Ice? Pikmin 4 pulls all the same little tricks 2 did, and they all fell flat for me. It's disappointing because the game shines much more when it's developing its own new ideas, like more intricate cave puzzles. It didn't need the Pikmin 2 fanservice.
Both of the above issues are made worse by how long this thing is. I was ready for it to end after clearing the 4th area, but there are two more after! Solid game, but this stuff really drags it down for me. In the end, it just feels like a watered-down Pikmin 2.
Das beste Pikmin? Fand Pikmin 2 von der Idee Sau cool aber war halt mega unfair, das baut aber auf allen Fehlern auf. Oatchi halt bestes Feature, fügt so viel hinzu. Auch mega lange wenn man noch Olimar Story spielt. Mega gut
This review contains spoilers
Peak of the series, which I didn't know would happen. Was honestly a more consistently enjoyable experience than Tears of the Kingdom from last year.
They put half of Pikmin 1 as post game content.
It improves on what Pikmin 2's level design does for the better.
One of my favorites and the best in the series. Hopefully we can still see more.
They put half of Pikmin 1 as post game content.
It improves on what Pikmin 2's level design does for the better.
One of my favorites and the best in the series. Hopefully we can still see more.
Pikmin should be renamed "PEAK-min" after this one.
Pikmin 4 was one of the most waited entry for a lot of nintendo fans. A game that was teased almost a decade ago and that disappeared from discussion of any kind.
Well I am happy to say that it 100% lived uo to the expectations.
Pikmin 4 is probably one of the best titles ever released for the switch: an amazingly crafted work of art from a series that already dared to express it's creativity and personality to its fullest.
The strategic nature of the hordes of pikmin you control blends perfectly with the cozy environments, the pressure of the daily time limits.... and even more disturbing sections that raises the pressure of the story. It's a weird mix of things that go surprisingly flawlessly together: a representation of the survival against nature at its fullest.
I think this title is able to make everyone content. It recreates sections that are inspired to fan favorites moments from Pikmin 1 and 2 that will bring a smile to older veterans.... but it doesn't stop at fanservice, as it introduces so many cool new concepts, new to the series and really experimental, like Dandori challenges and tower defences sections at night.
I think the only criticisms I can give it is the big elephant in the room... or rather, dog: Oatchi can feel a bit to broken sometimes, and using it often can easily go against the balance of the game, especially against tougher enemies.
I also kind of wish there was a way to change specific settings to customize the overall difficulty and challenges the game offers: maybe something like adding a limit to the whole days you spent on the planet, or maybe allowing enemies to respawn on the map after you killed them.
Another small nitpick is the complete lack of Pikmin 3 content: according to data files the Pikmin 3 protagonists were supposed to show up again in the story, but they just got replaced by some randoms bozos for.... no reason...
Eh but that is nothing important. Pikmin 4 is an absolute masterpiece, a title that will be able to solidify the franchises even more as one of Nintendo's finest art pieces. I literally recommend thos to everyone
Pikmin 4 was one of the most waited entry for a lot of nintendo fans. A game that was teased almost a decade ago and that disappeared from discussion of any kind.
Well I am happy to say that it 100% lived uo to the expectations.
Pikmin 4 is probably one of the best titles ever released for the switch: an amazingly crafted work of art from a series that already dared to express it's creativity and personality to its fullest.
The strategic nature of the hordes of pikmin you control blends perfectly with the cozy environments, the pressure of the daily time limits.... and even more disturbing sections that raises the pressure of the story. It's a weird mix of things that go surprisingly flawlessly together: a representation of the survival against nature at its fullest.
I think this title is able to make everyone content. It recreates sections that are inspired to fan favorites moments from Pikmin 1 and 2 that will bring a smile to older veterans.... but it doesn't stop at fanservice, as it introduces so many cool new concepts, new to the series and really experimental, like Dandori challenges and tower defences sections at night.
I think the only criticisms I can give it is the big elephant in the room... or rather, dog: Oatchi can feel a bit to broken sometimes, and using it often can easily go against the balance of the game, especially against tougher enemies.
I also kind of wish there was a way to change specific settings to customize the overall difficulty and challenges the game offers: maybe something like adding a limit to the whole days you spent on the planet, or maybe allowing enemies to respawn on the map after you killed them.
Another small nitpick is the complete lack of Pikmin 3 content: according to data files the Pikmin 3 protagonists were supposed to show up again in the story, but they just got replaced by some randoms bozos for.... no reason...
Eh but that is nothing important. Pikmin 4 is an absolute masterpiece, a title that will be able to solidify the franchises even more as one of Nintendo's finest art pieces. I literally recommend thos to everyone
Although I don’t think Pikmin will ever get the credit it truly deserves, I will always see it as arguably the most consistent game franchise of all time.
Pikmin 4 is a celebration of Pikmin 1 and 2. They brought back caves, and my god did they absolutely nail them. The caves are so fun, so pretty, so addicting. Everything in this game is so beautifully detailed. This is without question the best looking game on the Switch.
When you’re not in awe at the appealing visuals, you’re constantly losing focus on the task at hand, exploring a world amongst giants. The classic Pikmin creatures are what really makes the enemies so fun. The uniqueness, the unsettling, and the Pikmin just add to the atmosphere.
The main game is fairly simple, just progress in whatever way you please to get to Olimar. I feel like they could’ve added a few more required boss fights like Pikmin 3 did, but the caves are almost as interesting and detailed as the main areas, so I’m not too upset about it.
Where Pikmin can really lose you though, is how nobody knows when to shut the fuck up. For the first hour, it’s nothing but handheld walkthroughs, bombarded with dialogue after dialogue, with only a semi-interesting story at that. It happens when the night missions start too, and kind of lurks around for the rest of the game. Sometimes I got irritated because I was having fun until Yonny had to open her annoying ass mouth and pause my gameplay.
There’s a fairly lengthy post-game too, if you didn’t feel like you had enough Pikmin in your diet for 17 hours before. Plus, the entire game is unique enough to really strive for a high completion percentage. After the game “ends,” there’s another mission to cure Oatchi, and you kind of just go from there. Oh, and Oatchi… is a cute little dog… that you can ride around on… and he can swim… half the people playing this just gave it 5 stars for that.
I feel like Pikmin 4’s focus was very obviously how it looked, rather than the challenging bosses and different ways to control your game from the previous entries (The Wiimote, the Wii U GamePad). There’s nothing wrong with that, because it made a damn good game. I just wish sometimes they would SHUT THE FUCK UP. 8/10.
Pikmin 4 is a celebration of Pikmin 1 and 2. They brought back caves, and my god did they absolutely nail them. The caves are so fun, so pretty, so addicting. Everything in this game is so beautifully detailed. This is without question the best looking game on the Switch.
When you’re not in awe at the appealing visuals, you’re constantly losing focus on the task at hand, exploring a world amongst giants. The classic Pikmin creatures are what really makes the enemies so fun. The uniqueness, the unsettling, and the Pikmin just add to the atmosphere.
The main game is fairly simple, just progress in whatever way you please to get to Olimar. I feel like they could’ve added a few more required boss fights like Pikmin 3 did, but the caves are almost as interesting and detailed as the main areas, so I’m not too upset about it.
Where Pikmin can really lose you though, is how nobody knows when to shut the fuck up. For the first hour, it’s nothing but handheld walkthroughs, bombarded with dialogue after dialogue, with only a semi-interesting story at that. It happens when the night missions start too, and kind of lurks around for the rest of the game. Sometimes I got irritated because I was having fun until Yonny had to open her annoying ass mouth and pause my gameplay.
There’s a fairly lengthy post-game too, if you didn’t feel like you had enough Pikmin in your diet for 17 hours before. Plus, the entire game is unique enough to really strive for a high completion percentage. After the game “ends,” there’s another mission to cure Oatchi, and you kind of just go from there. Oh, and Oatchi… is a cute little dog… that you can ride around on… and he can swim… half the people playing this just gave it 5 stars for that.
I feel like Pikmin 4’s focus was very obviously how it looked, rather than the challenging bosses and different ways to control your game from the previous entries (The Wiimote, the Wii U GamePad). There’s nothing wrong with that, because it made a damn good game. I just wish sometimes they would SHUT THE FUCK UP. 8/10.