I am relatively new to the Pikmin series but I adored the first game so much, I went straight into Pikmin 2 and 100% completed both games. I just reviewed Pikmin 1 so I will keep this one short.

Pikmin 2 maintains it's charms from it's prequel, while also elevating it's world with the introduction of other playable characters, purple and white Pikmin, detailed biographies of local lifeforms and treasures and the vast number of them. The core gameplay remains the same as it's prequel but many quality of life changes and improvements made the game much smoother and enjoyable to play from the first game. I just wished they made use of two controllable characters a bit more by implementing aspects of level design and boss battles that require the use of switching between characters.

Pikmin 2 also introduced a dungeon-like element to the game, which at times can be frustrating but satisfying when you complete it. I do however miss the thrill of finishing the game within a time limit of 30 days.

Although I enjoyed Pikmin 2, I don't see myself replaying this game over it's predecessor.

I am looking forward to moving onto Pikmin 3 and 4 eventually and I have high hopes for them!

Difficulty: Medium-Slightly Difficult
100% Playthrough
Gameplay: ☆☆☆☆
Narrative: ☆☆☆☆
Art Direction/Graphics: ☆☆☆½
Music: ☆☆☆½
Creativity ☆☆☆☆

Overall: ☆☆☆☆

Pikmin was a game I used to backseat game and watch my brother play when it first came out on the GameCube in 2001. I remember so well, being traumatised by the monster enemy called Bulborbs eating the Pikmin after being left behind on the planet. This horror I learnt as a child + being too young to have the mental capacity and co-ordination to play this game back then made me reluctant to explore the game even after I grew up. Here we are 20+ years later and finally giving the game a go!

I can confidently say I love this game! I adored the relationship between Olimar and the Pikmin and you feel for each Pikmin you lose along the way (except the Pikmin that lose their way getting stuck between a wall due to their occasional janky AI. I am aware it is part of the gameplay but gets annoying backtracking to find where you lost them). However, I do love how they sacrifice themselves for Olimar and the greater population of the Pikmin. I loved it so much that I went straight into Pikmin 2 after finishing this game (and also 100% that game).

The world of Pikmin is fascinating, full of it's own lifeforms and how they have adapted to interact with the post-apocalyptic world. You feel a sense of hopelessness in this huge world but also feel a spark of hope at the same time when the Pikmin are introduced.

Sure, there were gameplay elements that were quite tedious; such as changing which Pikmin type to throw, using yellow Pikmin to hold the bombs etc. but these things are quite minor and don't really affect the overall gameplay too much. Although the game itself is quite niche, I definitely do think that the game stands the test of time, being very enjoyable even after couple decades from it's initial release.

Difficulty: Medium
100% Playthrough
Gameplay: ☆☆☆☆
Narrative: ☆☆☆☆
Art Direction/Graphics: ☆☆☆½
Music: ☆☆☆½
Creativity ☆☆☆☆½

Overall: ☆☆☆☆