Technically this game improves on all of the mechanics in Pikmin 1 and 2, the AI is much better, the rally feature has been replaced with the new charge feature and you can lock onto your targets for more precise pikmin aiming and less accidents. Despite how much more satisfying it is to play, I really wish the game didn't hold your hand as much as it does. One of the biggest things I loved about Pikmin 1 and 2 was how the order in which your main goal could be accomplished was fairly loose, but in Pikmin 3 the game takes a much more linear approach and points you clear in the direction of each task (literally, there are arrows on the ground telling you where to go) which really took the fun out of exploring for me.