Pikmin is the story of a miniature space delivery man, Olimar, and his quest to recover the scattered parts of his ruined ship after an unfortunate encounter with a meteor fragment. Olimar crash-lands on a planet not entirely unlike our own, populated by a wealth of arthropods and familiar vegetation. The problem is that Olimar is about two inches tall. Flowers tower overhead, beetles stomp around like dinosaurs, and the smallest puddles become hazardous lakes! However will our hero repair his ship? With the help of Pikmin, of course! These tiny plant-like critters eagerly follow Olimar around and are perfectly willing to do his bidding. He can command up to 100 of the little fellows at a time and dole out orders accordingly. Have your yellow Pikmin bomb a roadblock while the reds take out a giant beetle and the blues build a bridge! Each Pikmin color has its own strength: reds are fire-resistant and deal more damage than the other colors, so they are good fighters. Blues can wade through water unharmed and build bridges. Yellows can carry and use bomb rocks for blowing up roadblocks.
You recruit Pikmin by finding power pellets (theyre everywhere) and having your Pikmin drag them back their homes (Onions). The pellet is sucked up and more Pikmin pop out and await Olimar to pluck them from the ground. They key here is that the color of the power pellet doesnt matter very muchmore important is the predominant color amongst the Pikmin who are carrying it. If you want to recruit more reds, have reds drag the power pellets! If you give a red pellet to a blue Pikmin, he will turn the pellet into more blues. However, matching pellet and Pikmin colors will yield additional troops. Pellets come in all sizes, each helpfully displaying the number of Pikmin required to move it. Some require many Pikmin to drag it back to the Onionup to twenty! Defeated enemies can also be carried back to the Onions, and the more Pikmin than required that are carrying an object, the faster it will go!
Pikmin have three power levels: leaf, bud, and flower. The longer you leave a Pikmin seed in the ground, the more powerful it will become. Additionally, Pikmin will drink nectar they find on the ground, which powers them up. The power level determines their running speed, carrying speed, and damage potential: an army of flower Pikmin will never stray behind Olimar and haul swag fervently!
Olimar has thirty days to collect all thirty pieces of his ship, and each day lasts roughly fifteen minutes. Since each landscape you visit is so different, you can spend entire days just exploring and getting the lay of the land, and, indeed, this may be good planning on your part. Most structures and enemies dont reset overnight, so its good to spend a day blowing up roadblocks, building bridges, and taking out the most headache-inducing enemies so that youre free to roam around looking for spaceship parts in subsequent days. And if you feel like youre lagging, you can restart your game from any previous day, although that will overwrite any progress youve made since then.
The game utilizes the Wii Remote wonderfully, and you really only need to worry about four commands. You move Olimar with the control stick, dismiss your Pikmin into groups (for easy sorting) with C, throw an individual Pikmin with A, tell the entire group to do something with down on the D-pad, and call your Pikmin with B. Calling Pikmin re-activates dismissed Pikmin and stops active Pikmin from whatever it is theyre doing to come back to you. The rest of the D-pad controls the camera. The Wii Remotes pointer functionality works great for aiming your tosses and recalling distant groups of Pikmin, and really streamlines what I imagine was a more complicated process of estimation on the GameCube.
Of course, leading a group of one-hundred Pikmin has its downsides, too. With a group that large, accidentally running into sleeping enemies becomes a liability. Also, Pikmin have a bad habit of getting caught up on the environments geometry and automatically dismissing themselves because they arent brainy enough to go around a tree root instead of through it. Yellows could be a whole lot more accurate with their bomb-rock placement. If you dont act quickly, your entire squad could get blown to smithereens because the idiot yellow placed the bomb way too close to the group. It quickly becomes apparent that the best way to do things is to take your Pikmin through levels color-by-color rather than in a mixed group, giving each color group a certain task and letting everyone work separately, but simultaneously, to accomplish a goal. There will definitely be times where you will need to oversee a groups successalmost every enemy encounter requires your presence (which can slow things down, honestly)but on the whole, the Pikmin are good about completing tasks given to them.
Pikmin's daily time limit is concerning, though. Rather than feeling a sense of freedom and wonder, daily searches feel more like frenzied rushes filled with worry as the sun moves across the sky (helpfully displayed on a meter at the top of the screen). If you ignore the ticking clock and dont get your Pikmin safely to their Onions at sunset, the planets nocturnal horrors will run around and gobble up the stragglers. I actually restarted my game after 12 in-game days because Id only found 10 parts, and it took me about that long to really get comfortable with a routine.
Fortunately, the game bombards you with helpful tips and tutorials, so its a pretty easy game to get the gist of. And once it clicks for you, Pikmin is a very fun, rewarding game. Theres just something about watching your army haul back a bounty from a hard days work thats very satisfying.
Pros:
Lastability: 9.0
It will take you a pretty long time to learn the layout of the levels with enough detail that you can successfully acquire all 30 parts of your ship without a hitch. And after playing the main game for awhile, Challenge mode gives you a whopper of a variation on the main game. I wont ruin that surprise.
Final: 8.0
Pikmin is a great game thats weighed down by the frustrating time limit and hiccups in Pikmin behavior. It's hard to imagine how people played the original game with a GC controller, because the Wii setup is just so elegant. It can take a while to get into the flow of the game, but once you do, you're hooked. If you already have Pikmin for the Cube you probably dont need this version, but if youve never played it before, nows your chance!
especially the red beetle things
I honestly can't believe people still hope that Nintendo will add online to old games. It won't happen Vega. Don't get your hopes up.
The time limit feels artificial and is frustratingThat's not what I wanted to hear. You had to restart after 12 game days? Bummer. That's the kind of thing that would really bother me.
I honestly can't believe people still hope that Nintendo will add online to old games. It won't happen Vega. Don't get your hopes up.
True, though I do think there is a chance the framerate could be cleaned up in Pikmin 2, they seem to be "enhancing" the visuals a bit.
QuoteThe time limit feels artificial and is frustratingThat's not what I wanted to hear. You had to restart after 12 game days? Bummer. That's the kind of thing that would really bother me.
I just can't make a decision on this one. I'm not that into strategy games but with this one sounding more unique and less difficult than your average RTS it might be okay. However, that whole system of the 30-day time limit sounds like the type of thing which could destroy the game for someone like me, as the time system in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask completely prevented me from getting into the game.
Still, it's a Nintendo series I've never played before... Surely I must try it out? Augh... indecision...
But... What about Pikmin 2? Not only do most people claim it's the better game, but it has also done away with the thirty day limit. If I like the game, I could then buy the first one at that point and would likely be able to handle the 30-day limit because I'd already be used to the game. It might be best if I just wait for it to be released instead.
Although... I hear your point about overcoming fear to reach enjoyment. It reminds me of a famous quote, "Until you're brave enough to lose sight of the shore, you'll never experience the fear of being lost at sea." Wait, I don't think that's right...
And even if you don't get enough parts, the alternate ending in that case isn't horrible. I won't spoil it but it is an interesting ending. Worth seeing once I would say.If it in any way involves Olimar dying then I don't want to see it...
Pikmin 2 is RPG-FREAKING-LONG even with the skills developed in Pikmin 1. Having a "time limit" doesn't make sense with respect to Pikmin 2.
Pikmin 1 can be beaten in a COUPLE SCHOOL NIGHTS, but it's still a very pure embodiment of its concept and features.
Fine, fine, I'll get it, it's been over seven years after all. However, I'll probably get the original GameCube version because it is cheaper, though we'll see...And even if you don't get enough parts, the alternate ending in that case isn't horrible. I won't spoil it but it is an interesting ending. Worth seeing once I would say.If it in any way involves Olimar dying then I don't want to see it...
Fine, fine, I'll get it, it's been over seven years after all. However, I'll probably get the original GameCube version because it is cheaper, though we'll see...And even if you don't get enough parts, the alternate ending in that case isn't horrible. I won't spoil it but it is an interesting ending. Worth seeing once I would say.If it in any way involves Olimar dying then I don't want to see it...
Pikmin 2 is RPG-FREAKING-LONG even with the skills developed in Pikmin 1. Having a "time limit" doesn't make sense with respect to Pikmin 2.
Pikmin 1 can be beaten in a COUPLE SCHOOL NIGHTS, but it's still a very pure embodiment of its concept and features.
And Pro presents us with the reason why time limits are implemented in games, it is a way to extend the length of a game that is considered short, but unlike other game extenders the time limit is the lamest.
The "bad" ending to Pikmin is quite comical. I actually managed to screw my days just to see it, and it wasn't as depressing as I thought.
I played through the first game a few times, and I really liked it. I tried the second game, but it annoyed me so much I never finished it. In the first game there was always quite a few parts that you could get, even if you didn't have all the Pikmin types yet. In the second game you can get a little bit on one level, then you had to go to the next level and get a new Pikmin type, etc. I hate it when games force lots of running around just to make it a longer game. I also didn't like the dungeons. It seemed to me like most of the changes were made just to lengthen the game.
Correct me if I'm wrong, Brood, but it seems you don't really enjoy many games. ;)
In regards to this game I'll probably give it another shot though I know I will not love it because of the time limit, which is contrary to my play style of wanting to take my time and explore a world.
I wouldn't call Pikmin mediocre or just OK. Maybe if you hate RTS games, but otherwise no. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it's a good game.
What is up with the hate come people are getting fro Capcom all of a sudden? Other than the sloppy port of Dead Rising, they have done a great job so far.
Xseed announced way back at the Tokyo Game Show in October that Arc Rise Fantasia is coming out here sometime in 2009.
No! Mop! The Wii version is only $30But the GameCube version could be had for, like, $10. I know the Wii version seems to be better, but... I'm a cheapskate!
The Wii version is far more forgiving, get this version instead.How so? By the sound of things, being able to restart a day doesn't seem to be of much help.
The problem is that if you don't use a guide you could end up wasting time getting one of the 5 non-needed parts.Wait, you can't just collect any of the 25 out of 30 parts but rather there are 5 specific parts you don't need? That's not good...
In regards to this game I'll probably give it another shot though I know I will not love it because of the time limit, which is contrary to my play style of wanting to take my time and explore a world.Same here. However, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if you just take your time and explore the world not worrying about collecting anything, then after you discover how to traverse certain areas and have located most of the parts, you start over from the beginning and try to beat it from there?
Same here. However, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if you just take your time and explore the world not worrying about collecting anything, then after you discover how to traverse certain areas and have located most of the parts, you start over from the beginning and try to beat it from there?
Incidentally, I far prefer the original Pikmin to its extremely bloated and boring sequel (randomly-generated dungeon crawling 4 de boardum!). The time limit gives a huge sense of urgency, as does Olimar's daily logs.
I find it really shocking that so few Nintendo fans have played the Pikmin games. These were made by Miyamoto and did quite well in reviews. Why wouldn't you have checked them out? Is it because it wasn't an established franchise? Are publishers actually right about that?
Golden and Mop: Play the game before deciding that the time limit will ruin your game.
QuoteGolden and Mop: Play the game before deciding that the time limit will ruin your game.
I freaken BOUGHT the game when it first came out. I KNOW the time limit ruined it as it has ruined every game I've ever played that gives you X amount of time to beat it. Not to mention it has nothing do with fear but being rushed through a game that is padded by a time limit to make it seem longer then it really is. It is a matter of what gameplay experiences you enjoy, and I find time limits to be the most artificially stupid way to extend the length of a game. With Pikmin I think I almost got to the end of the game and quit because I wasn't having fun being rushed through it to get the last few spaceship parts.
I don't like tomatoes either, doesn't mean I'm scared of them (except for the Killer Tomato kind)
I understand how a time limit in a game can make one feel sort of claustrophobic...
but I don't get the argument that a time limit makes a game longer, artificially or otherwise... ???
I hate to force people to play new games, but the time limit excuse it silly.That's not the only reason, it's when you combine that element with the game being a strategy game, which don't really interest me, nor are they anything I've ever had success with. The time limit was somewhat manageable in Majora's Mask because it was a type of game I was familiar with.
If a young kid with no English skills could play Pikmin and enjoy it despite the time limit I think the two of you, experienced videogame playing adults, could have no problem.Kids can learn anything faster than adults because their minds are still developing and they have no established mindset or comforts. Also, just because I have experience with games doesn't mean I have any amount of skill with them.
But the GameCube version could be had for, like, $10. I know the Wii version seems to be better, but... I'm a cheapskate!That's what I've been saying. While I'm not sure about Gamestop's policies, I know Game Crazy can special order the game from a different store, assuming at least one store in the entire company has a copy of the game and it's a request within reason (i.e. no special orders for Secret of Mana on SNES).
But the GameCube version could be had for, like, $10. I know the Wii version seems to be better, but... I'm a cheapskate!That's what I've been saying. While I'm not sure about Gamestop's policies, I know Game Crazy can special order the game from a different store, assuming at least one store in the entire company has a copy of the game and it's a request within reason (i.e. no special orders for Secret of Mana on SNES).
If a young kid with no English skills could play Pikmin and enjoy it despite the time limit I think the two of you, experienced videogame playing adults, could have no problem.Kids can learn anything faster than adults because their minds are still developing and they have no established mindset or comforts. Also, just because I have experience with games doesn't mean I have any amount of skill with them.
That would be funny if people did try to special order games like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. There would be long and expensive wait lists.You'd be surprised. Game Crazy gets the oddest requests.
Excuses, excuses, excuses and more excuses. I know we are talking about a game, but I personally can't stand people who do nothing but say excuses just to get out of stuff....Jeez, really? On a message board. Calm down, man.
...Just do whatever the hell you want.
