Software:Pikmin 4

From HandWiki
Short description: 2023 video game
Pikmin 4
Pikmin icon 4.jpg
Developer(s)Nintendo EPD
Eighting
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Yuji Kando
Tetsushi Tsunoda
Producer(s)Takashi Tezuka
Designer(s)Yutaka Hiramuki
Taku Matoba
Programmer(s)Yuji Kando
Artist(s)Michiho Ito
Hiromu Takemura
Writer(s)Yutaka Hiramuki
Shinya Kubota
Composer(s)Kenta Nagata
Asuka Hayazaki
Soshi Abe
SeriesPikmin
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
ReleaseJuly 21, 2023
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Pikmin 4 is a 2023 real-time strategy video game co-developed by Nintendo EPD and Eighting, and published by Nintendo. It is the fourth main installment of the Pikmin series, following Pikmin 3 (2013), and the sixth installment overall. It was released on the Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2023.[1]

The game is the first in the series to feature a customizable playable character. It introduces two new species of Pikmin called Ice Pikmin and Glow Pikmin, as well as new features like the Night Expeditions, in which players defend against waves of nocturnal enemies. In the story, the player assumes the role of a recently recruited member of the Rescue Corps, a group in need of rescuing following an unsuccessful attempt to save Captain Olimar.

Pikmin 4 received positive reviews from critics, who praised the game's level design, visuals, score, amount of content, and accessibility to newcomers, while criticizing the limited multiplayer options and low difficulty. The game achieved commercial success, becoming the best-selling game in the series.

Gameplay

A group of Pikmin fighting a Bulborb

The player controls a minuscule character who takes command of squads of Pikmin to explore various areas, fight enemies, secure treasures, and solve puzzles.[2] Pikmin can be directed to perform various tasks, such as carrying objects and fighting enemies, and have individual weaknesses and strengths. For example, Red Pikmin are invulnerable to fire, Blue Pikmin can walk underwater, and Winged Pikmin can lift up objects and float over hazards. The player can switch between different species of Pikmin to adapt to the situation and deal with enemies and hazards. The camera allows for a full view of the area around the player character, with the perspective being much closer to the ground than in previous games.[3]

Pikmin 4 retains Pikmin types from previous games, and introduces two new species: Ice Pikmin, which are invulnerable to being frozen and can freeze enemies and bodies of water;[4] and Glow Pikmin, which operate at night and are usable during the Night Time Expeditions. The player can also command a canine creature called Oatchi to help with exploration.[5][4] Like the Pikmin, Oatchi can be directed to carry objects and attack enemies, but can also help bash breakable objects, sniff out objectives such as treasure, and transport both the player character and Pikmin around the map and over bodies of water; in some places, the player can directly control Oatchi to solve puzzles.

The game's single-player mode introduces new features to the series. Players can customize their character with different facial features and uniform colors, and have access to a hub base that provides different activities - such as the ability to upgrade equipment, as well as Oatchi and its abilities after it gains experience during exploration. Treasures collected in different areas contribute to a resource known as Sparklium, which is needed to expand the number of maps the player can explore. The several main missions include finding Captain Olimar,[6] and side missions come from castaways brought back to the hub base. Practice Mode trains the player to defeat enemies.

While exploring an area during a Day, the player is limited in the number of Pikmin they can deploy for exploration, but can increase the limit by upgrading the Pikmin's Onion with Flarlic. When collected and brought to the Onion, Flarlic adds 10 Pikmin to the field limit, up to a maximum of 100. Collecting Flarlic when the Pikmin limit is at a hundred will instead produce Nectar and Ultra-Spicy Nectar. In addition, players can redeploy their transport craft and the Onion to previously discovered landing sites to deploy Pikmin quickly and speed up the acquisition of treasures and combat spoils. Caves, a feature first introduced in Pikmin 2, return, but the player is now able to change their Pikmin squad before entering. Unlike Pikmin 2, time is not paused while exploring a cave, but instead moves slower; like in Pikmin 2, the spoils of combat can be recovered, but are worth less Sparklium than treasure. A rewind feature allows the player to undo mistakes or play differently than before.

Specific maps allow players to explore areas at night, which are known as Night Time Expeditions. In this mode, which functions similar to tower defense games, players are restricted to using only Glow Pikmin to explore maps and recover resources, all while fighting enemies who are drawn to the Glow Pikmin's nest.

The main story can be played in either single-player or alongside a second player in co-op, and there is also a competitive multiplayer mode called Dandori Battle,[7] derived from Dandori, a Japanese word for efficient planning. In Dandori Battles, which are also featured in single-player, the player must secure as much spoils and treasures in an arena before their opponent can; both sides can collect Pikmin to help them and have their own Oatchi partner. Two players can partake in Dandori Battles together, either working together against the computer or against each other.

In addition to the main story, a new side mode is unlocked during the story, called "Olimar's Shipwreck Tale". The player takes control of Olimar prior to the events of the main story, shortly after crash-landing on the planet, and must collect the S.S. Dolphin's 30 missing ship parts. Compared to the base game, Olimar's Shipwreck Tale has several differences in gameplay. It features only Red, Blue, and Yellow Pikmin, Moss instead of Oatchi as a companion, shorter days, no caves or Dandori Challenges/Battles, progress-based upgrades and items, and a time limit of 15 days before Olimar's life-support functions fail. In addition, area layouts have been changed drastically to accommodate for the different gameplay, with new enemy placements, hazards removed/added, new traversal options, and some sections of an area being inaccessible.

Plot

Seemingly diverging from the events of the prior installments,[lower-alpha 1] Captain Olimar travels to PNF-404, an Earth-like planet, aboard his ship the SS Dolphin. A freak accident causes his ship to crash land, and he is forced to recruit Pikmin to help him find the ship's missing parts. During his search, Olimar bonds with a dog-like creature that he names Moss. After finding his ship's missing radio within the interior of the Hero's Hideaway, Olimar transmits an SOS call along with his voyage logs, but mysteriously disappears after continuing his search for the missing parts.

The Rescue Corps, an intergalactic rescue organization, receives his emergency call and sends a team to PNF-404 led by Captain Shepherd to find and rescue Olimar. However, the ship malfunctions upon reaching the planet, forcing the crew to eject before it crash lands on the surface. The Rescue Corps assigns its newest recruit, the player character, to find the missing Rescue Corps members and complete the mission.[9] Upon reaching the planet, the recruit encounters Shepherd's rescue pup, a dog-like creature called Oatchi, who bonds with them. After rescuing Shepherd and the team's communication officer Collin, the recruit finds that the Rescue Corps' ship has run out of power. With help from Pikmin near the ship's crash site, the recruit recovers several objects which contain a resource known as Sparklium, which can fuel the ship.

The recruit, accompanied by the Pikmin and Oatchi, begins exploring the area to find the other Rescue Corps members, along the way discovering that several treasure hunters and explorers came to the planet after picking up Olimar's signal, but also became castaways. Shepherd instructs the recruit to locate and rescue castaways alongside their primary objectives.

During further exploration, the Rescue Corps come across a mysterious figure who is accompanied by Moss. The figure is exhibiting an unknown condition that has caused them to become hairy and sprout leaves from all over their head, and also given them the ability to breathe oxygen, which is normally poisonous to those stuck on the planet. As the figure has infected several castaways with the same condition through the Onions, the Rescue Corps' chief medic Yonny works to produce a cure after he is rescued. In the meantime, the Rescue Corps come across the Dolphin, finding it was repaired but crashed after taking off. They soon realize the mysterious figure is Olimar, who became infected after a failed attempt to escape PNF-404 and was beamed up to an Onion by the Pikmin. Using Yonny's cure, the recruit treats the infected and cures their condition, as well as Olimar after battling and defeating him in a Dandori battle, returning him to normal.

With their mission complete, the Rescue Corps attempt to leave PNF-404, but Shepherd discovers that Oatchi has caught an illness involving a leaf similar to that of a Pikmin sprouting on his tail, making it impossible to leave the planet. As Yonny's cure is ineffective in treating Oatchi, Olimar advises the group to return to the planet's surface, and reveals Moss has the same condition, which was the cause of his failed escape after Moss snuck into his cargo hold. On the surface, the Rescue Corps work to find ingredients for a new cure while searching for more castaways, particularly the veterinarian Nelle from Koppai.

Exploration soon turns up a giant dog, the Ancient Sirehound, who is similar in species to Oatchi and Moss, and which Yonny thinks can provide a key ingredient for the cure. While searching for it, the recruit finds it hiding in a cave where Olimar's partner, Louie, had been hiding after coming to the planet to search for food. After defeating him and the dog, the recruit recovers both him and some DNA from the dog's collar, providing the final ingredient for curing Oatchi. After discovering that Moss cannot be cured, Olimar determines that she was born on the planet and decides to leave her behind with the Pikmin. The Rescue Corps agree and depart with the others, while Olimar leaves with the Dolphin. Meanwhile, Moss goes exploring with the Pikmin, pursued eagerly by the now-tamed Ancient Sirehound.

Development

On September 7, 2015, Pikmin creator Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed to Eurogamer that Pikmin 4 was in development, and "very close to completion".[10][11] On July 7, 2016, Miyamoto said in an E3 interview with Game Rant that Pikmin 4 was still in development, though at a lower priority.[12] On June 19, 2017, Miyamoto reassured Eurogamer that the game was still "progressing".[13] In the years to follow, the game was widely considered vaporware[14][15] until it was officially unveiled on September 13, 2022.

Pikmin 4 was developed using Unreal Engine, its first use in an internally developed Nintendo EPD game, although the game was co-developed with Eighting.[16]

Lead staff include veteran Pikmin developer Yuji Kando, who was one of the two directors of Pikmin 3 and returned as chief director and programming director; Yutaka Hiramuki as game design and lead writer, responsible for the level design and story similarly to his responsibilities on Pikmin 3; Takashi Tezuka, who returned as the mainline series producer, a role he has held since Pikmin 2, and Shigeru Miyamoto, who returned as the general producer, the same position he had in Pikmin 3.[17]

Release

Pikmin 4 was announced by Shigeru Miyamoto in a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2022.[2] The teaser trailer gives a brief glimpse of the game's environment, without any gameplay or story details.[18] Nintendo announced that the Pikmin T-shirt worn by Miyamoto during the announcement would be released at the Nintendo New York store and Nintendo's website.[3][19] In the February 8, 2023, Nintendo Direct, Pikmin 4 was revealed to launch on July 21, 2023.[1] A demo was released on June 28, 2023.[20]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic87/100[21]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid9.5/10[22]
Eurogamer5/5 stars[24]
Famitsu35/40[25]
Game Informer9/10[26]
GameSpot7/10[27]
GamesRadar+4.5/5 stars[28]
IGN9/10[29]
Nintendo Life9/10 stars[30]
Nintendo World Report9/10[32]
VG2474/5 stars[34]
Siliconera10/10[35]

Pikmin 4 received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, where it has a score of 87/100 based on 122 reviews.[21]

Writing for Nintendo Life, PJ O'Reilly praised the game's level design, graphics, and performance in both handheld and docked mode.[30] Andrew Webster of The Verge enjoyed the nighttime excursions and puzzles present in Pikmin 4, writing "With the clock ticking down, these more focused challenges are a nice change of pace from the laid-back standard gameplay, even if I don’t quite understand why they exist narratively".[36]

While liking the laid-back nature of gameplay, Ars Technica's Kyle Orland criticized the lack of navigation tools, writing that it made multitasking cumbersome. He writes, "The most notable omission is a mini-map; without it, I found myself constantly jumping into the pause menu to figure out how to find and manage distinct groups of Pikmin spread around the complex layered environments".[37] Emily Price of Polygon felt that the title framed the world in an exciting way, making ordinary objects seem "wonderous".[38]

Sales

In Japan, Pikmin 4 had the best launch week of the series, selling 401,853 physical units, a number larger than the first week sales of the three previous games of the franchise combined.[39] As of September 30, 2023, Pikmin 4 has sold 2.61 million copies worldwide, with 1.36 million sold in Japan, and 1.24 million sold elsewhere.[40]

Awards

Awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2023 Gamescom Most Wholesome Won [41]
Golden Joystick Awards Nintendo Game of the Year Nominated [42]
The Game Awards 2023 Best Family Game Nominated [43]
Best Sim/Strategy Game Won
2024 13th New York Game Awards Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game Nominated [44][45]

Notes

  1. ↑ The events of Olimar's crash serve as an alternate retelling of the events of Pikmin (2001). It is currently unknown where Pikmin 4 fits into the timeline of the other main series games.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Good, Owen (September 13, 2022). "Pikmin 4 release date for Nintendo Switch announced" (in en-US). https://www.polygon.com/23591657/pikmin-4-release-date-nintendo-direct-trailer. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Peters, Jay (September 13, 2022). "Pikmin 4 is coming in 2023" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/13/23350913/pikmin-4-announced-2023-release-date-nintendo-switch. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Liang, Lu-Hai (September 13, 2022). "Pikmin 4 Launches 2023" (in en-US). https://www.thegamer.com/pikmin-4-2023/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Tom (February 8, 2023). "Pikmin 4 introduces Ice Pikmin and dog-like ally". https://www.eurogamer.net/pikmin-4-introduces-ice-pikmin-and-dog-like-ally. 
  5. ↑ "Pikmin 4 for Nintendo Switch" (in en-us). https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/pikmin-4-switch/. 
  6. ↑ Gould, Elie (February 20, 2023). "Pikmin 4 on Switch: release date, trailers, gameplay and more". https://www.techradar.com/news/pikmin-4. 
  7. ↑ Cooper, Dalton (February 10, 2023). "Pikmin 4 Confirms Multiplayer Support". https://gamerant.com/pikmin-4-co-op-multiplayer/. 
  8. ↑ Phillips, Tom (August 1, 2023). "Pikmin 4 does some truly weird things with the series' story". https://www.eurogamer.net/pikmin-4-does-some-truly-weird-things-with-the-series-timeline. 
  9. ↑ Hagues, Alana (June 6, 2023). "Pikmin 4 will rise to the occasion in brand new trailer". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/06/pikmin-4-will-rise-to-the-occasion-in-brand-new-trailer. 
  10. ↑ Phillips, Tom (September 7, 2015). "Pikmin 4 in development and 'very close to completion'" (in en-gb). Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/pikmin-4-in-development-and-very-close-to-completion. 
  11. ↑ Carter, Chris (September 7, 2015). "Pikmin 4 is happening, 'very close to completion'" (in en-CA). https://www.destructoid.com/pikmin-4-is-happening-very-close-to-completion/. 
  12. ↑ "Miyamoto Updates Fans On Status of Pikmin 4" (in en-US). July 6, 2016. https://gamerant.com/pikmin-4-update-miyamoto/. 
  13. ↑ Phillips, Tom (June 14, 2017). "Miyamoto: Pikmin 4 still 'progressing'" (in en-gb). Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/miyamoto-pikmin-4-still-progressing. 
  14. ↑ Anderson, Matt (August 29, 2022). "7 Games That Are Definitely Vaporware in 2022". https://twinfinite.net/ps4/vaporware-games-in-2022/. 
  15. ↑ Daud Briggs, Alex (September 22, 2022). "Pikmin 4 Confrimed For Nintendo Switch in 2023". https://www.gamerbraves.com/pikmin-4-confrimed-for-nintendo-switch-in-2023/. 
  16. ↑ Gutierrez, Luis Joshua (June 20, 2023). "A Rare Move For Nintendo, Pikmin 4 Reportedly Uses Unreal Engine". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-rare-move-for-nintendo-pikmin-4-reportedly-uses-unreal-engine/1100-6515335/. 
  17. ↑ "Ask the Developer Vol. 10, Pikmin 4—Part 2" (in en-us). https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-10-pikmin-4-part-2/. 
  18. ↑ Dinsdale, Ryan (September 13, 2022). "Pikmin 4 Has Finally Been Revealed" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/pikmin-4-has-finally-been-revealed. 
  19. ↑ Doolan, Liam (September 15, 2022). "You Can Now Purchase Shigeru Miyamoto's Pikmin T-Shirt". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/09/you-can-now-purchase-shigeru-miyamotos-pikmin-t-shirt. 
  20. ↑ Doolan, Liam (June 28, 2023). "Nintendo's Pikmin 4 Demo Is Now Available On The Switch eShop". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/06/nintendos-pikmin-4-demo-is-now-available-on-the-switch-eshop. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Pikmin 4 for Switch Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/pikmin-4/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  22. ↑ Carter, Chris (July 19, 2023). "Review: Pikmin 4". https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-pikmin-4/. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  23. ↑ Colantonio, Giovanni (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 review: Switch exclusive is a master of multitasking". https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/pikmin-4-review-nintendo-switch/. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  24. ↑ Phillips, Tom (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 review - Nintendo's strategy series reaches near-perfect evolution". https://www.eurogamer.net/pikmin-4-review-nintendos-oft-overlooked-garden-strategy-reaches-near-perfect-evolution. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  25. ↑ Romano, Sal (July 19, 2023). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1807". https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1807. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  26. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 Review - Man's Best Friend(s)". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/pikmin-4/mans-best-friends. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  27. ↑ Watts, Steve (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 Review - Veggie Might". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pikmin-4-review-veggie-might/1900-6418090/. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  28. ↑ Loveridge, Sam (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 review: 'The most approachable Pikmin entry ever'". https://www.gamesradar.com/pikmin-4-review/. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  29. ↑ Griffin, Jada (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/pikmin-4-review. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 O'Reilly, PJ (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 Review (Switch)". https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/pikmin-4. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  31. ↑ Minor, Jordan (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 Review". https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/pikmin-4. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  32. ↑ "Pikmin 4 Review". Nintendo World Report. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/64538/pikmin-4-switch-review. Retrieved August 11, 2023. 
  33. ↑ Robinson, Andy (July 19, 2023). "Review: Pikmin 4 is a brilliant entry point for new players, but takes a while to bloom". https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/pikmin-4/. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  34. ↑ Donaldson, Alex (July 19, 2023). "Pikmin 4 review: charming, well-rounded, cosy - and the best in the series". https://www.vg247.com/pikmin-4-review. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  35. ↑ Lada, Jenni (July 19, 2023). "Review: Pikmin 4 Offers so Much to Do". https://www.siliconera.com/review-pikmin-4-offers-so-much-to-do/. Retrieved July 19, 2023. 
  36. ↑ Webster, Andrew (2023-07-19). "Pikmin 4 embraces the series' hidden horror roots" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/23799072/pikmin-4-review-nintendo-switch. 
  37. ↑ Orland, Kyle (2023-07-19). "Pikmin 4 review: Falling in love with micromanagement" (in en-us). https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/07/pikmin-4-review-falling-in-love-with-micromanagement/. 
  38. ↑ Price, Emily (2023-07-19). "Pikmin 4 will turn you into an obsessive collector" (in en-US). https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23792462/pikmin-4-review-coop-treasures-nintendo-switch. 
  39. ↑ Romano, Sal (2023-07-27). "Famitsu Sales: 7/17/23 – 7/23/23 [Update"] (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/famitsu-sales-7-17-23-7-23-23. 
  40. ↑ "Financial Results Explanatory Material (with Notes)". https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2023/231107_4e.pdf. 
  41. ↑ Lyles, Taylor (August 25, 2023). "gamescom Award Winners Announced, Little Nightmares 3 Takes Top Award". https://www.ign.com/articles/gamescom-award-2023-winners-announced. 
  42. ↑ Harris, Iain (2023-09-29). "Voting for The Golden Joystick Awards 2023 is now live – here are the nominees in full". https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2023-nominations/. 
  43. ↑ Fanelli, Jason (2023-11-13). "The Game Awards 2023 Nominees Announced, See Them All Now". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2023-nominees-announced-see-them-all-now/1100-6519120/. 
  44. ↑ Kerr, Chris (2024-01-04). "Alan Wake II and Baldur's Gate 3 lead 2024 New York Game Awards nominees". https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/alan-wake-ii-and-baldur-s-gate-3-lead-2024-new-york-game-awards-nominees. 
  45. ↑ McEvoy, Sophie (2024-01-24). "Baldur's Gate 3 wins big at New York Game Awards 2024". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/baldurs-gate-3-wins-big-at-new-york-game-awards-2024. 

External links



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Pikmin_4&oldid=3463042"