A fresh gameplay control method, cool graphics, lovely sounds add up to one of the most underrated titles ever.
By Andy Ryle (Ryle_Boy)
Pikmin is a relatively new franchise developed by Nintendo. It was one of the first GameCube titles available, and in many people’s opinions, very under-rated by the general public. It is highly addictive, fun and one of the most original games you’ll ever see.
___________________________________________________________
On with the review!
Overview
Pikmin is the first game in a franchise of only 2 games, developed by Nintendo exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube. Pikmin has you controlling the decisive Captain Olimar on a quest to find part’s for his ship that has crashed on the Pikmin’s homeworld. Using the help of the Pikmin, you must find all 30 parts and escape before you run out of air. Pikmin is a highly unorthodox and original game, which is nothing short of addictive.
Story
In Pikmin, the main character is Captain Olimar, a spaceman from the planet Hocotate. The story starts when Olimar is taking a vacation in outer space. However, during his flight, a meteorite hits his spaceship, the Dolphin (possibly a reference to the Nintendo GameCube's codename, "Project Dolphin"), and it crashes on a planet unknown to him. Parts of the spaceship fall off as it plummets to the ground.
When he regains consciousness, Olimar finds out that the planet's atmosphere contains oxygen, which is poisonous to people from Hocotate, and he can stay on the planet for only 30 days before his air supply runs out. Olimar must retrieve many of the spaceship parts so he can rebuild his spaceship and return to Hocotate. Although there are 30 Parts, there are five that are optional and Olimar can escape without them.
Most fans agree that the planet Olimar crash-landed on is in fact the planet Earth, with further debate that it takes place in the future, where humans have become extinct and insects have further evolved. This is disputed, however. There are some suggestions of it, though, in the form of discarded human objects (cans, cardboard boxes, etc.) in the field. It may be that the people of Hocotate are very small, as these objects are often more than twice Olimar's size.
Gameplay
The game Pikmin is a 3D game, with the player controlling Olimar from a third-person viewpoint. Olimar is in turn followed by the Pikmin, whom he directs. The basis of game play in Pikmin is to retrieve ship parts by using the three varieties of Pikmin available in different combinations. There are standard obstacles present, such as water and fire, to which the blue and red Pikmin, respectively, are immune. In addition, yellow Pikmin can be thrown higher and further than the other two colors, and also can carry explosive Bomb Rocks to attack enemies or remove obstacles.
In retrieving ship parts, there are generally three steps. The first is to locate the part and scout its location, noting any obstacles Pikmin may need to remove or any enemies which must be defeated. The second step is in selecting the appropriate numbers and colors of Pikmin needed to complete the tasks, and then executing them. This must be done with some care, as only 100 Pikmin may exist outside the Onions at any given time. The third step is to secure the part, which is usually in a difficult to reach location or held by a powerful enemy. After securing the part, it can brought back. All 30 parts are retrieved in this manner.
Time in the game is divided into 30 days. With the exception of the first day, which lasts until the player finds the first ship part (the engine), all Pikmin days are 15 minutes in length. At the end of the day, all Pikmin must be immediately rounded up, work halted, and Olimar must return with the Pikmin to the ship. The reason for this is that many of the creatures which inhabit the Pikmin's planet are nocturnal predators and are much more difficult to defeat. This explains why bulborbs are always found sleeping
during the day.
Overall, Pikmin’s gameplay is a fresh, new and innovative way to control in an RTS, and very nice, relaxing and easy to play.
Verdict – 9
Graphics
Pikmin is a nice expression of GameCube’s graphical potential. Not the greatest graphics, but enough candy to please the eye. Pikmin is situated in a 3D world, and the camera works a treat in it.
The textures in Pikmin are a little bit of “meh” factor, they look good, but that’s really all – good. They could’ve been made to look better if worked on a little harder, a feat accomplished in it’s sequel. The water, too, was great. The stand out, however is probaly the Pikmin themselves, as well as enemies. They look great, as detailed as needed be, move fluently and smoothly.
The grass, leaves and discarded objects (tins etc.) look great, and nail the laid-back vibe perfectly, and just add that little bit more to the relaxing experience. Overall, the graphics in Pikmin, whilst nowhere near as what the ‘cube has to offer, are still pretty sweet to look at, and add to a great game.
Verdict – 8
Sound
Pikmin features some of the calmest and most-relaxed you’re ever going to hear in a game. As I stressed foremost, the elegant, calm and laid-back music just gives you the chance to calm down after a hectic day, or just chill out altogether. However, despite it’s laid-back feel, sound does have a few,
not many, but a few nags.
These nags are simply the really quite annoying noises made by the Pikmin. They just use the same noise over and over, which can get really quite annoying. The noises made by Pikmin are just quite frankly a bit frustrating, and can really get on your nerves.
However, despite the Pikmin noises, the Sound Effects, like those of enemies and navigating around are pleasant to hear. The sound of Yellow Pikmin picking up the bomb rocks are, whilst a bit odd, are really quite hilarious, a high-pitched “Woaaahh!!” is usually heard, and just plain funny.
Despite the few nags, the sound in Pikmin is just plain nice, and a very nice piece of audio art here in this little gem.
Verdict – 9
Value
Pikmin nowadays is incredibly cheap, and can be picked up for very minimal amounts. The replay value, however, isn’t there. Despite it’s highly addictive, it’s just not worth coming back to.
However, even though you’ll most likely play it once or twice, the challenge mode is a quick and easy way to pass time sufficiently, easily and very fun. If you want a long-lasting RTS, though, don’t be fooled by Pikmin’s budget price, it’s really not worth purchasing if you want to play it in a few years bar the nostalgia.
Nevertheless, for those who want a quick and easy game for cash-strapped gamers and/or an eager RTS fan, you shouldn’t miss out on Pikmin. It’s a quick game to finish, but a lot of fun in the meanwhile between starting and finishing.
Verdict - 8
Reviewer’s Tilt.
Pikmin is one of the few games the mass audience love to hate, even though it can be appreciated by the most hardened gamer or the lowly newbie gamer. I, personally, love this game to bits, even if it isn’t liked by many.
The simplistic controls (Which do get some getting used to, I’ll give you that) and easy-to-adjust gameplay just wrap up in another under rated game.
Even though many would pass the opportunity to play Pikmin, it’s an adorable little gem that, whilst not everybody, most should at least try to play in their life. However, I disgress, even though I love this game, Pikmin does have a few flaws. Pikmin is one of the most under rated titles of our time, and as mentioned before, everybody can enjoy.
Verdict – 10
___________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time for reading my review, much appreciated, and be sure to leave feedback. Anyway, Pikmin is a game that I personally thoroughly enjoyed, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. As much as I love this game though, I cannot deny the flaws it has, but it is easily a game that would go unnoticed by many, which is a shame, as is it is recommandable to anybody.
Overall Score – 9.0 - Superb