Despite losing the grunge that I think defines the first game, this game felt like a fairly direct improvement in almost every aspect.

Level designs are continuously fun and creative, psychic abilities felt far better utilized, upgrades and pins helped to freshen up gameplay, and I felt like I vastly prefer the narrative and its themes in this entry compared to the first.

Small complaint though I did feel like the side cast I loved from the first game got sidelined for most of it. Also the combat is definitely more varied than in the first game but it ultimately still felt a bit stiff and bland.

Pikmin 4 feels like almost exactly what I had been dreaming another Pikmin game would be.

The refinement of the cave system, the inclusion of every single Pikmin type (with plentiful moments to shine for each), the stellar gameplay variety (missions, battles, night expeditions, [SPOILER]), Oatchi, and the excellent return of the Piklopedia after its somewhat half baked inclusion in 3DX; There’s so much for me to love.

Glow Pikmin GOATTTT but I did miss the Bulbmin.

[Golden Wildfire]

story starts off pretty solid before nosediving at like two different points before leaving me off with an anticlimactic finale. what were they cooking with this story i've GOT to know. there's interesting stuff here but almost all of it is left underdeveloped.

i love marianne :)