Geek Review: Pikmin 4

Amongst Nintendo’s many offerings in the gaming space, the Pikmin series has its core following but has yet to achieve the level of prominence alongside the likes of Legend of Zelda or the varied Mario titles. Perhaps it’s the platforms the games are available on, the genre itself, or just a lack of interest from the general audience. In any case, expectations for Pikmin 4 are not exactly high, but after spending more than 30 hours in this world, we are so excited that more people are getting to experience the best the series has to offer.

At its core, Pikmin 4 can be described as a puzzle strategy experience, with players taking on the role of the Rescue Corps’ latest recruit, sent to help retrieve the lost Captain Olimar and, of course, get up close and personal with the adorable Pikmin. These colourful creatures are the dependable workforce that gets everything done, with variants boasting different abilities and quirks.

Together with Oatchi, the newest addition in the form of a space-faring dog, players will learn the ropes of commanding the Pikmin, exploring various environments from the unique perspective the series is known for, collecting treasures, and facing off against beasts of all kinds. While it might seem relatively straightforward, the amount of depth in Pikmin 4 is simply engaging and impressive, making it a challenge just to put it down.

Leveraging the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch, the series has never been beautifully presented, as well as being believable. Looking at everyday objects through the eyes of a minuscule being lends greater meaning to things. A water droplet suddenly becomes a dangerous hazard, chairs and tables are towering structures to be climbed, and a simple paper bag can be an impediment to progression. 

There is much joy to be had in learning how to navigate these worlds with the help of your Pikmin, especially as the game gradually introduces new Pikmin and obstacles throughout the adventure. While Pikmin 4 is not necessarily combat-heavy, there is still much to keep track of as players try to be as efficient as possible in doing several tasks at once. Think hauling treasures, excavating holes, or literally chucking the little creatures into combat. 

Credit has to be given to how Pikmin 4 handles the progression and not overwhelming the player with too much too early. Despite having nine types of Pikmin to discover and countless missions and activities to get up to, everything feels almost perfectly put in place to intrigue players and keep them going. Helpful tutorials and explainers are always available as well, just in case something is forgotten. 

In that sense, the barriers of entry for newcomers to the series have been significantly lowered, even though there is more to do and see in the latest entry. While there is still a time limit for each day spent in a level, there is no overarching limit to the number of days players can spend on the rescue mission. The problem of limited supplies, like in the previous game, is also gone. Players are free to enjoy the world and complete their tasks however they like, and it is something veteran players will come to enjoy as well.

In addition, there is a handy rewind feature to help remedy mistakes made out in the field, allowing players to reload to an earlier moment during the current day, and plan out a better strategy. No longer will you rue losing rare Pikmin to a lapse of judgement and having to wait a day to replenish the numbers, and the time saved can be put to better use.

With such a solid foundation to begin with, it is no wonder that the gameplay in Pikmin 4 is so enjoyable. Every new place is filled to the brim with things to discover and sights to marvel at, and as players fill their ranks with Pikmin, a world of possibilities opens up. Aside from the usual exploration and treasure collecting, there are enemies to vanquish, caves to explore, and Dandori Battles and Challenges to master.

But before diving into all that, there is a need to emphasise the importance of Oatchi, a wonderful companion to have around that adds another layer of play to Pikmin 4. The puppy is able to fulfil different roles, such as acting as a transport option for both player and Pikmin across water, sniffing out an objective like a Castaway or more Pikmin, or using its jump ability to scale heights. 

Oatchi happens to be awesome at helping out in combat too, with its charge attack being the best way to engage any enemies before the fight even begins. Nothing beats charging into a giant creature, stunning it, and sending all of the Pikmin being carried onto one target for a barrage of pain. 

Add to that upgradable skills for Oatchi, and it becomes clear just how integral the puppy is in Pikmin 4. Being able to dig better, charge more powerfully, or possess the strength of 100 Pikmin are all useful skills, not to mention a selection of other helpful functions that players can unlock with time.

That said, even with Oatchi by your side, it is always more important to have the right army for the right enemy. The elements are in effect in Pikmin 4, so observing the enemy is a vital skill to master. With 110 unique enemies, albeit with elemental variants playing a part, battles are always a fun distraction, and most boss enemies are a force to be reckoned with. Finding the right balance and strategy will always pay off, and ensure that your Pikmin are safe from danger.

Most, if not all, of these vanquished foes can be brought back to base by the Pikmin to exchange for raw material, just like the gems found in the world. This currency is of paramount importance, as it lets players build certain structures like bridges or climbing walls in the world to access new areas. Furthermore, they can be spent on upgrades for both Oatchi and the player character at the lab. Element shielding is obviously a prime choice, but so are the HP upgrades up for grabs. Just be sure to have enough raw material left over for any building needs.

Aside from the surface-level exploration, Pikmin 4 features plenty of caves and sub-levels to investigate, adding to the growing variety of spaces that continue to be pleasant surprises. Normal subterranean caves are a given, but there are also industrial spaces with moving components, freezers that require a different approach, or areas full of hot, fiery flames to contend with. Needless to say, boredom is never a problem when there is such an interesting assortment of places to look at.

Oatchi is also required to play its part independently in some cases, separating from the main crew and heading down into Puppy Tunnels. This only increases the options available to both the level design as well as the players, providing more ways to maximise efficiency while making sure not one sub-level ever feels the same.

Then there are the Dandori Battles and Challenges. For the former, it pits players against the enemy AI in a race to gather the most items while mixing in combat as well, while the latter is more about testing the ability to multitask efficiently with a limited number of Pikmin in order to gather all available treasures in a level. While the central concept might be similar, these different applications of the Dandori principle of being organised and working effectively are always great fun. 

As part of the story, players will need to jump into Night Expeditions as well, which is more about tower defence than the usual Pikmin management. Here, the new Glow Pikmin become your trusted ally in a bid to protect structures called Lumiknolls. Starting levels are easy and quick, but as the difficulty ramps up, things get more hectic with multiple Lumiknolls to protect, more dangerous enemies to fight, and forces players to think more on their feet.

The main task of rescuing Olimar should take most players 20 to 25 hours, but the Pikmin 4 goodness doesn’t quite stop there. For veterans, this is where the true fun begins, and this time, the end-game content is up there with the best of them, introducing even more exciting locations, characters, and mechanics into the mix. It is risky to gate all of it behind finishing the main task, but the journey to this juncture is more than worth it.

Even with getting so many things right, there are still certain things in Pikmin 4 that could be refined further. Co-op, for example, can be quite a bummer, especially for those looking forward to doubling their efficiency with a partner. Instead of being another character that can help, co-op play adds in an on-screen reticle for the second player just to shoot pebbles at objects and enemies. Filling up the co-op meter rewards useful items that can help, but it is all a little too uninvolved as a true co-op mode.

Another omission that could have seen more potential is the lack of online play for Dandori Battles. While the AI is suitably capable at its task, nothing beats having a human player to pit your skills against, and not everyone can get together offline to do so. Perhaps this functionality will come at a later date, but for now, it feels like a missed opportunity.

Nevertheless, Pikmin 4 has undoubtedly surpassed the games that came before it, helping to introduce the adorable, charming creatures to a new console generation. Although it can be a little too easy an experience, the scope, scale, and depth have never been more impressive. With Oatchi and the Pikmin by the player’s side, prepare to sink hours upon hours to chase down that 100% completion. If this is the way the series is headed, consider us strapped and ready for another space-faring adventure in the future.

Pikmin 4 is available on the Nintendo eShop for US$59.99.