I beat Pikmin last night at three hours past midnight. I had only been playing it since the night before... however, consider that I spent the the entire day playing it. I barely stopped to eat and do other such things. To say that Pikmin is engrossing is quite an understatement. I haven't played a game like that since Tony Hawk 2 last December.

Now, before you start thinking the game is short or easy; it's neither. In fact, the game can be very challenging at times, and many gamers will find themselves replaying days (or replaying the entire game) before they can beat it. Even if experienced gamers can complete the game in a single 12+ hour marathon, it'll take the average gamer quite a bit longer. Even when you beat it, if you like the game as much as I do, you'll be starting a new game immediately. Pikmin keeps track of your performance and records the best five runs through the game (in terms of surviving, sprouted and dead Pikmin). Additionally, Pikmin is non-linear and it also features many action elements that add significant replay value to the game. Now, let me tell you about the gameplay.

Pikmin is not a strategy game. Let me repeat that. Despite what you may have read, Pikmin is not a strategy game. It's a unique hybrid of many genres. The game starts with an adventurous feel as you play the roll of a single character who is trying to survive an accidental crash on a hostile planet. Then you stumble upon the Pikmin which introduces puzzle and strategy elements to the gameplay. As the game progresses, action elements are thrown into the mix. This blend of genres combined with the Miyamoto touch of gold has resulted in one of the finest games I've ever played.

The adventure elements of the game come in the way of Olimar. Since he's crashed on a planet which is full of toxic oxygen, he must rebuild his ship within thirty days because the battery life on his oxygen filters are running out. As you play through the levels, Olimar will comment on things and tell the story as it unfolds. It's very well written and definitely entertaining. If you happened to play only the Japanese version, I'd recommend renting an English copy as well. The puzzle elements should be fairly obvious. The different colored Pikmin have different abilities and you'll have to use them accordingly. The strategy comes in using the right Pikmin at the right time and in the right numbers. The fact that there is a bit of action gameplay may surprise you though. Whenever you have a group of Pikmin following you, you can move them with the C-stick. Before playing the game, I hadn't realized how important this was. This ability to control the Pikmin turns them into a weapon when you're besieged by enemies. Pikmin can also be thrown using the A button. If you don't learn to move the Pikmin around you at some point during the game, you won't get very far at all. You'll have to make the Pikmin dodge and attack at the right times to survive.

Graphically, Pikmin is not exactly a showcase of power, but there are up to a hundred Pikmin on the screen at any given time with no slowdown. The natural environments look very nice most of the time and they even manage to be impressive at some points. The sound seems to work out well, though I was too involved in the game to pay much attention. The Pikmin make a variety of interesting sounds and the background music is varied and fitting.

If you have some cash to spare, go buy Pikmin. This game will be a classic. If you can't afford it or you're worried about length and replay value, then do yourself a favor and rent it at least. Pikmin is not an experience to be missed.