(Note: Played on Wii, but I logged the Gamecube version by mistake, so I'm just gonna write my review here.)
Pikmin has a lot of serenity, with it's beautiful music, charming natural environments, and last but not least, amazing water graphics. Despite all this, Pikmin isn't exactly a literal walk in the park. It's equally parts extremely relaxing, while also being an on the edge of your seat, nail-biting game, and this honestly is why I love it.
This is my first playthrough, and I only got the normal ending (which I'm happy for, by the way.) I missed out on 1 part, Olimar's beloved piggy bank. Pikmin purists, you can jump on my head like a Pikmin to a Snagret, but I'm still saying I completed this game. Doesn't mean I won't go back to play through it again, though. I definitely want to try and do better.
First let's start with the music, and art direction. For music, there is the incredible Forest of Hope OST, need I say more? The art direction is incredibly charming, the enemy designs are quite unique, and often goofy in a good way. Each has their own mannerisms, which is amazing and really builds the idea of this being a real ecosystem. The environments themselves are beautiful. While I don't think they are Gamecube limit-pushers, they are still beautiful. The shades of light and dark in each area are what create a lot of the vibe. With the areas being natural green and Olimar's ship parts being artificial chrome or other coloration, which creates a cool contrast. Also, the water graphics.
I'm bad at strategy and resource/time-management, but this is probably the most fun I've had with it. Like I said, it's no walk in the park on your first run through, but I believe you can do it.
A small complaint to add to others critiques: It would be nice if there was an option to view past dialogue from Olimar, because it's really easy to skip out on the intro tutorials because you were mashing B. I also don't know if it lists what parts are necessary in the game itself, I couldn't find that. I had to search online. That would make the game a little easier, although it's difficulty is part of it's charm.
Highly recommended you play it anyway you can.
Pikmin has a lot of serenity, with it's beautiful music, charming natural environments, and last but not least, amazing water graphics. Despite all this, Pikmin isn't exactly a literal walk in the park. It's equally parts extremely relaxing, while also being an on the edge of your seat, nail-biting game, and this honestly is why I love it.
This is my first playthrough, and I only got the normal ending (which I'm happy for, by the way.) I missed out on 1 part, Olimar's beloved piggy bank. Pikmin purists, you can jump on my head like a Pikmin to a Snagret, but I'm still saying I completed this game. Doesn't mean I won't go back to play through it again, though. I definitely want to try and do better.
First let's start with the music, and art direction. For music, there is the incredible Forest of Hope OST, need I say more? The art direction is incredibly charming, the enemy designs are quite unique, and often goofy in a good way. Each has their own mannerisms, which is amazing and really builds the idea of this being a real ecosystem. The environments themselves are beautiful. While I don't think they are Gamecube limit-pushers, they are still beautiful. The shades of light and dark in each area are what create a lot of the vibe. With the areas being natural green and Olimar's ship parts being artificial chrome or other coloration, which creates a cool contrast. Also, the water graphics.
I'm bad at strategy and resource/time-management, but this is probably the most fun I've had with it. Like I said, it's no walk in the park on your first run through, but I believe you can do it.
A small complaint to add to others critiques: It would be nice if there was an option to view past dialogue from Olimar, because it's really easy to skip out on the intro tutorials because you were mashing B. I also don't know if it lists what parts are necessary in the game itself, I couldn't find that. I had to search online. That would make the game a little easier, although it's difficulty is part of it's charm.
Highly recommended you play it anyway you can.