At the June 2023 Nintendo Direct,Pikminfans got their best look yet at the upcomingPikmin 4. Complete with re-releases ofPikmin 1and2on the Nintendo Switch as well as a demo at the end of June, this title looks very promising.Pikmin 4has taken everything that worked well in the three mainlinePikmingames and combined it into one massive package. Even if fans' open world theories seem to have given way to multiple distinct maps, it looks like both the overworld and caves will be more fleshed out than they ever have been.
Several other revelations came about as part of the Nintendo Direct, including the appearance of a rival resembling Olimar merged with a Pikmin. That should send the story down an interesting path, and players will save other rescue corps members and build up their troops on the way. On top of the already-revealed Ice Pikmin, spectral greenGlow Pikmin also debut as special nighttime units. Players will need to manage a lot inPikmin 4, so much so that it’s beginning to look like this action-RTS franchise is bringing in parts from an RPG.
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Pikmin 4 Gradually Builds A Party of Sorts
The first evidence of this will be staring fans in the face shortly after they launchPikmin 4. For the first time in the franchise, players will take control of a custom character. The whereabouts ofPikmin’s prior protagonists are unknown, but the player andPikmin 4’s spaceship crew of new facesare tasked with finding and rescuing Captain Olimar. First, however, the player will need to rescue their companions, and this could produce many more talkative NPCs thanPikminnormally deals with.
By the looks of the main base camp, rescued characters will mill around their crashed ship. These fellow astronauts can be spoken to, and several have useful functions. Careful observation of the trailer reveals that the “End Day” function may have been given to a particular character, and dialogue implies that night expeditions are the same. A background astronaut notably has a speech bubble with an exclamation point attached, which could mean new dialogue, but may also indicate the presence ofside quests or optional paths inPikmin 4. So many new characters and increased player input does have a light RPG feel, but there are more direct ties to the genre than just that.
Player Upgrades Are a Key Part of Pikmin 4
Two NPCs that players will no doubt become well-acquainted with are in charge of stores and various upgrade paths. AcrossPikmin 4, the protagonist will stumble upon deposits of sparkling rocks. Collecting many of these will allow them to purchase new upgrades for themself andtheir canine companion Oatchi. A number of these fulfill the same functions of suit upgrades players could find in pastPikmintitles, such as elemental resistance or faster running. There also appears to be an item shop, but it’s unclear what wares it holds.
Most RPG-like of all is a separate shop operated by what is likely the rescue corps' resident animal handler. By accruing a resource called Oatchi’s Pup Drive, the player will be able to buy upgrades for Oatchi. These can make this constant companion much more useful, with improvements such as increased carrying capacity, stronger attacks, and entirely new abilities like jumping and digging. Powering up Oatchi may be vital to supplement thenew restriction of three Pikmin typesbeing allowed at once. With players now needing to prep their army as if they were choosing party members,Pikmin 4could introduce a very distinct RPG flavor to thePikminfranchise, making it all the more memorable.
Pikmin 4will be released on July 21 for the Nintendo Switch.
