Summary
After a 10-year wait,Pikmin 4has arrived, and it has not disappointed. The game takes everything good about previousPikmintitles and does it better. The treasures are as fun as ever, the characters are charismatic, andthe Pikmin are adorable. It feels like the grand return ofPikminthat franchise fans have been waiting for, and it brings with it a few exciting new additions that will hopefully carryover to future titles.
IfPikmin 4is a success then fans will hopefully not have to wait another 10 years for the next chapter. When that next game finally launches, it should expand upon one ofPikmin 4’s best features. For the first time ever, players are able to actually create the protagonist. While it is a basic character builder, it gives players immense freedom over how they want to be perceived in this world. It helps inject new life into this iconic franchise, and futurePikmintitles need to invest in the concept.
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Pikmin Should Go All in On Customizability
MostPikmingames have put players in control of the same exact character and surrounded them with the same set of NPCs.Pikminput them inthe shoes of Captain Olimar, Pikmin 2gives them control of Olimar and his co-worker Louie, andPikmin 3replaced those two with Alph, Brittany, and Captain Charlie. Each character was interesting, but players only had so much control over who they were and had to follow their journeys throughout this world. While that did not impact the quality of the series,Pikmin 4still aimed to change that.
After a brief tutorial sequence with Captain Olimar, players are able to create their own character before theyjump intoPikmin 4’s story. They must choose the head shape, look, colors, and name of their character. It is an extremely limited character builder, but it does give players greater control over who they will be playing as. Once they finish creating their protagonist, their ID badge will be registered and thePikminfun can begin.
Pikmin 4’s character creatorfinally lets players be themselves in this colorful miniature world. They can go on their own adventure, experience the world through their own eyes, and feel like they have control over what is happening. The NPCs will even refer to them by their chosen name, thus making them feel like a part of the Rescue Corps. While it is purely an aesthetic thing, it really helps make this entry stand apart from the rest.
After four games, it wastime forPikminto reinvent itselfa bit and it did just that. No longer are players tied down by the adventures of Captain Olimar and his crew, but instead they can head out into the world as if they live in this galaxy. It helps make this game the perfect jumping on point for new fans and givesPikminveterans a new type of experience to enjoy. It is something that fits incredibly well in the franchise, and it needs to become a series staple going forward.
While Captain Olimar can still play a role in the story, it is time for customizable characters totake center stage inPikmin. Future games should expand upon the character builder and give players dozens of different options to choose from. It does not have to be as advanced as RPGs likeSkyrim, but it should have a few more options thanPikmin 4does. That game introduced the concept, and now the series can run with it.
Pikmin 4is available now on Switch
