Pikmin 4 takes the series to new depths, with fewer dead soldiers

Nintendo’s friendly real-time strategy game series Pikmin has greater depth and greater breadth in next month’s long-awaited sequel, pikmin 4, New types of Pikmin, including Ice Pikmin that can freeze enemies and water, and Glow Pikmin, which can be used in brand new night battles, are joined by another great addition: the space dog Ochi.

And, for Pikmin players who collectively mourn the death of Pikmin by drowning or in the jaws of a Bulbul, pikmin 4 Lets you undo unnecessary deaths – or at least, the most painful ones.

based on an hour spent together pikmin 4 At a recent Nintendo hands-on event in New York, not much has changed at the core of Pikmin. You’re still a tiny, alien explorer on a rescue mission harvesting plant-like Pikmin with different colors and abilities. By throwing teams of Pikmin at valuable items and any obstacles that get in your way, you’ll still collect treasure like toy binoculars or a Game Boy Advance. However, this time the mission is different; You are not Olimar, the original SMOL astronaut who starred in the first two Pikmin games. Instead, you are a new recruit, a character of your own design who has been tasked with rescuing the rescue team that failed to save Olimar.

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Image: Nintendo

This challenging mission is made less difficult by some pikmin 4Getting organized. Targeting enemies is easy. You can move your Onion – the base that serves as the Pikmin’s storage unit – around levels to reduce backtracking. You can also rewind time if you want to try a certain challenge again (or if too many of your Pikmin have died). Overall, there is less pressure to complete your missions under the time constraints of previous Pikmin games.

A great and interesting new addition is the Ochi, which act as tank/armored transports for the Pikmin’s infantry. The two-legged space pup can smash objects with one mighty swift move, haul a small army of Pikmin, and leap over tiny ledges that your space explorer can’t. Otachi can also be upgraded, increasing his bite, healing abilities, and more.

I spent a short amount of time testing out the new Ice Pikmin, freezing them to take down enemies more easily, but sadly, I didn’t get to do much puzzle solving with them.

pikmin 4 It features a wide range of equipment that goes beyond new Pikmin types and the ever-evolving Ochi. In the Lab, players can craft items and gear, like a drone that will survey the levels, which are made from raw materials that you and your Pikmin can harvest.

Image: Nintendo

with my practical time pikmin 4 The focus shifted to the early part of the game, so I didn’t get a chance to test out the new Night Expeditions or Glow Pikmin, which are exclusive to those nighttime moments. But I did get a chance to play two rounds of competitive Dandori Battles, in which players battle each other by collecting as much treasure as possible — and preventing their opponents from collecting treasure on particular levels. Dandori Battle is pikmin 4 At its most frantic, throwing exploration and research out the window in favor of speed and strategy. It’s a welcome change of pace for a mostly laid-back single-player adventure.

Nintendo Switch owners who have no shortage of old Pikmin games to play now will get a taste of pikmin 4 for yourself this weekend. The game’s demo will arrive on the eShop on June 29. Players’ progress will be visible throughout the game when pikmin 4 Will launch on 21 July.