Pikmin 4 Review Roundup: A Charming Trip to a Tiny World
In the realm of video games, especially in the sphere of Nintendo exclusives, Pikmin has always been a unique and underappreciated gem. With the release of Pikmin 4, critics have once again showered the franchise with much-deserved praise, solidifying its legacy as a classic with their Pikmin 4 review. Garnering an aggregate score of 87 on Metacritic and 88 on OpenCritic, the game has indeed carved a niche for itself within the community.
Critic Scores Overview
Among the major gaming media outlets, Pikmin 4 garnered excellent scores. Both IGN and Nintendo Life gave it a 9 out of 10, lauding the game's gorgeous world and innovative mechanics. Inverse, WellPlayed, and GameReactor all agreed with a score of 9, emphasizing the game's charm and creative game-play elements.
Game Informer also gave a score of 9, praising the character customization feature and the beautiful, intricate worlds the game has to offer. Meanwhile, Destructoid and Press Start both gave an 8.5, citing minor issues, but overall acknowledging the game's unique allure. Gfinity handed out an 8, while Gamespot gave a slightly lower score of 7, the latter criticizing the late-game content delivery but still recognizing the game's charm and appeal.
On a five-point scale, Eurogamer rated it a perfect 5/5, highlighting the series' evolution and distinctiveness. VGC, GamesHub, and Comic Book all awarded it 4/5, commending the game's deep attention to detail, and GamesRadar gave it a 4.5/5, lauding the game's post-credits content and the innovative Dandori Challenges and Battle mode.
Pikmin 4: What Makes it Special?
Right from the get-go, Pikmin 4 differentiates itself from its predecessors by introducing character customization. Players can now personalize their character's hair, body type, and suit color, which also apply to the ship and the entire space crew. This novel feature adds an extra layer of immersion, encouraging players to invest more in their in-game personas.
The real magic of Pikmin 4, however, lies in its beautifully-crafted worlds. As an alien the size of an ant exploring an Earth-like planet, players can appreciate the game's captivating charm as they collect treasures humorously named after their appearance, such as “Space Spinners” and “the Stone of Advancement,” which are just ordinary items like fidget spinners and a Game Boy Advance SP.
As a testament to the game's evolution, Pikmin 4 presents a vibrant and distinct location at every turn. From a simple garden blooming with gigantic insects and flowers, a sandy beach that reveals new paths and foes when the tide recedes, to a house with mountain-like stairs, the game indeed immerses players into a tiny world filled with enormous wonders.
The game's main story takes around 20 hours to complete, with the promise of more post-credits content that may very well be the best in the Pikmin series. Furthermore, it introduces new modes like the Dandori Challenges and Dandori Battle mode that test players' strategic planning and multitasking skills, providing them with more opportunities for engaging gameplay.
The Verdict
Pikmin 4, much like its predecessors, has once again captured the hearts of players with its adorable creatures, innovative mechanics, and beautiful, intricate world. The game may lean towards the easy side in terms of difficulty, but its new features such as character customization, ability upgrades, a pair of new Pikmin, and the introduction of a loyal sidekick named Oatchi, add depth to the traditional Pikmin gameplay.
The sheer variety of enemies to battle, treasures to collect, and a post-game content full of callbacks to the previous games, Pikmin 4 leaves players not just with a positive impression but also an anticipation for the future of the series. Despite some missed opportunities like the lack of online capability, the game stands out as a captivating journey into a world where even the smallest things take on a larger-than-life meaning.
For those of you further interested in the charm and nuances of the Pikmin franchise, I've delved deeper into the series' origins and evolution. From its inception to the latest installment, I discuss how each game has contributed to the unique identity of the franchise, intricately dissecting its core mechanics, storytelling, and graphics. This retrospective of the entire Pikmin series offers both an overview for newcomers and a nostalgic journey for long-time fans. To embark on this insightful journey through the world of Pikmin, simply follow the link provided here. Enjoy the exploration!
~Smash
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