Review

"Pikmin 4": seven reasons to look forward to the strategy game

29-6-2023

Translation: machine translated

I was able to play the first two levels of "Pikmin 4". And from what I could see of the beginning of the game, it surpasses the previous version on every level and could be one of the best Switch games of the year.

Fans have been waiting over a decade for a new Pikmin game. Nintendo's cute strategy game series is now seeing the release of its fourth instalment, and I've had the opportunity to play the first two levels of Pikmin 4. If the rest of the game lives up to those first two levels, then the game is a real masterstroke.

Below, here are seven reasons to look forward to the Nintendo game's release. Get a glimpse of the game in the video (in German) above. In it, I explain the basic premise of the game to Philipp Rüegg, a novice and Pikmin
sceptic.

1. The new Ice Pikmin

In Pikmin 4, I play as an astronaut on a mission to save other astronauts crashed on an unknown planet. As is customary in the licence, I command numerous adorable Pikmin on my rescue mission. I can throw them at enemies, ask them to dig up treasures and bring them back to my base. The more treasure I find, the more fuel I unlock for my spaceship, allowing me to discover new areas to explore.

As usual in the seriesrie « Pikmin», I'm in charge of an army of Pikmin that I send into real-time battles.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

Like every new game in the series, Pikmin 4 brings its fair share of new plant creatures to discover. In the first two levels, I actually meet the new Ice Pikmin and immediately fall under the spell of these little blocks of ice. They can freeze enemies and stagnant water. Once frozen, monsters go into shock and are easier to defeat. This adds variety to the real-time strategic battles. I can't wait to see what other new creatures await me in the game.

Warning! Frozen opponents are certainly easier to defeat, but drop resources of lesser value.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

2. Otchin, the brave dog

Otchin, our canine companion is also new to the series. Like the Pikmin, I can also command him, but unlike the little plant creatures, I can also ride and direct him. This allows me to traverse the large levels fairly quickly. Waterways are no problem for the yellow furball either.

He's so cute!
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

I also have the opportunity to give and learn specific commands to the dog such as "look for Pikmin", "go back to base" or "find treasure".

Otchin is a complete game-changer and is making me rethink how I plan my expeditions. I can no longer imagine my life in Pikmin without my alien canine companion. A good dog!

This adorable dog even has his own skill tree.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

3. Dandori duels are a good cardio workout

In addition to the regular levels, there are now Dandori duels waiting for me in the underworld. In these duels, I face mysterious leafy characters. They challenge me in colourful arenas, either in direct duels or in timed challenges. In both cases, the aim is to collect as many items or points as possible in as little time as possible.

Frantic one-on-one duels are pure adrenaline.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

The "Dandori" concept comes to us from Japan. It symbolises the art of planning ahead and executing efficiently. And that's precisely what the game expects of the player in these duels. So it's all about planning my various actions carefully and using my Pikmin and Otchin resources efficiently. All my little soldiers need to have something to do at all times. If multitasking isn't your cup of tea, these duels will probably be tough.

Delightful, Dandori duels get the adrenaline pumping as I perform and delegate countless tasks in parallel. They provide a welcome contrast to the laid-back world above, I look forward to facing more enemies in duels.

My Dandori skills are put to the test in duels.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

4. Underground dungeons

The new underground dungeons also bring a breath of fresh air to the Pikmin formula. Trapdoors allow me to access underground worlds from the world above. These new worlds are incredibly vast and can even span several floors.

It's pretty dark down here.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

I can discover new Pikmin and rescue many stranded astronauts. The carefully designed, puzzle-filled levels are, both visually and playfully, the antithesis of the expansive, bright and friendly world above. It reminds me, incidentally, of the underground world in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

5. The game is beautiful

The first two levels are some of the most beautiful I've seen on Nintendo's hybrid console. The vast areas are teeming with grotesquely designed monsters that are often inspired by the plant and animal world. The treasures to be collected and the vegetation are ultra-realistic. Finally, the lighting in the levels creates a pleasant atmosphere. In short, it's really impressive to see what Nintendo has managed to get out of its ageing hardware.

The second level, « Park in bloom», particularly appealed to me graphically.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

6. Camera and menus

One of my biggest criticisms of Pikmin 3 concerned the camera. Sure, you could rotate it, but you couldn't adjust the height or zoom in on the action In Pikmin 4, I can do whatever I want with the camera. It allows so much zoom that I almost feel like I'm in an "over the shoulder" game. It makes exploring the world so much fun.

I'm in control of my game thanks to the flexibility of the camera.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic

In general, using and navigating the various menus seems better thought out and easier than in previous games. Overall, the game requires fewer clicks and even allows you to programme shortcuts for certain in-game actions. For those who have never played the series, there's also a handy rewind function. So if you've lost a lot of Pikmin while exploring the world, you can easily go back in time and try again.

7. Scope and replayability

I was amazed at how rich the first two levels already are with activity. From Dandori duels to dungeons to countless well-hidden treasures, there's a huge amount to do and every task is fun. If the rest of the game is this complete and consistent, Pikmin 4 could well be the greatest Pikmin game ever created.

But that's not all! After all, I haven't even mentioned my base camp yet, from which I can accept numerous side quests, buy new items and unlock new skills for Otchin. Not to mention the new night missions, where you can explore new areas in the dark. I haven't had a chance to do a mission like this yet, but the footage in the trailer makes you want to.

In short, Pikmin 4 is, in all likelihood, a great game that I'm going to invest a lot of time in. Really a lot.

"Pikmin 4" will be released on 21 July for Nintendo Switch. A demo of the game is available now on the Nintendo eShop. The game was made available to me by Nintendo for this test. I was only able to play the first two levels to write this article.