Though it's not perfect, and though I do have a few issues with it, I think this might be the best Pikmin game. Maybe not my favorite (I'd have to go back and replay Pikmins 1 and 2 again after years), but I think the best. A good balance of difficulty (even if some of the enemies/bosses err on the side of easier than not), the return of caves, new Pikmin types, and the inclusion of a fair few new modes make an incredibly comprehensive title.
To start with my few issues, I think some of the caves aren't that great. The early ones are incredibly short and simple, and although they have a big advantage over Pikmin 2's caves of being completely designed (which does show INCREDIBLY well in latter caves), early ones feel like a bit of a slog just by how under designed they feel. Even some latter caves have this same issue, with some floors being very small and simple while others can be large, elaborate, and flush with puzzles and enemies. I think the caves, overall, are better than not, though. A lot of the caves in the last two areas are really good and I enjoyed them a lot.
The Dandori challenges and Dandori battles are really interesting. Some of the Dandori challenges in the main game are a bit boring (though not in the sense of being too easy, I definitely got my ass kicked by a handful and it really pushed me to my limit, which I liked). There are some special Dandori challenges that involve objectives like reaching a location or ferrying an item in a specific time limit that I wish was seen more in the main game as opposed to just collecting as many treasures as you can.
Dandori battles feel a bit hectic, partially because of how much is going on on the screen given the split screen. There's a bit few too many elements going on at times, especially as more mechanics get added on in latter battles. But, they're far and few between in the story, so it was a nice way to break things up.
Also, another negative, when you clear out an area of enemies, they just... don't respawn. I don't entirely get why that's the case, but it makes the world feel incredibly empty by the time you're done with an area. I would've liked to see enemies respawn, so returning to an area to farm Pikmin or get lingering treasures isn't such a solitary experience.
The areas, though? They're so big and lush and beautifully designed, so deliberate in their shortcuts, their enemy placements, and their treasure placements, that it's pretty awe-inspiring. I fully believe these are the best areas in the Pikmin series bar none. The two postgame areas, as well as the house, are all awesome, and I loved exploring them. The music is great, and with the closer camera, you really get this sense of scale that I feel like I didn't have since I was a kid playing Pikmin 1 and seeing in the instruction manual that Olimar is the size of a quarter.
The Pikmin limitations are VERY smart in my opinion, both from the idea of a brand new player to the series not being overwhelmed by having 100 Pikmin and all of the Pikmin types out, but also for veteran players to manage their tasks as effectively as possible while slowly increasing what they can bring along during the day. While I miss having all of my Pikmin types in the field, I think this was by far the best and smartest decision, and really made me think about how I want to break up tasks, which Pikmin to bring along in which quantities, and how I could get the most done with what little resources I had starting out.
Other points: the new creatures are fantastic, I loved seeing so many old creatures return in various forms, and just, UGH, Pikmin's creature design has always been aces, but they were in top form here. Bosses were incredibly cool.
Some of the combat was a bit easier, especially given the combination of Oatchi's charge stunning and ice Pikmin, but I figure you can always avoid doing certain things to challenge yourself, it didn't bother me as much (and it was incredibly exciting at times to just barely one cycle a boss with ice Pikmin freeze).
I love the music, especially in the fifth area, the sound design is incredible.
The story is simple, but still good, it's an interesting little thing that, weirdly enough, has interesting implications for the Pikmin timeline/lore? Lmao it's so weird to say that.
I also love Oatchi, the game is VERY clearly designed around his inclusion, and he's both adorable and is very well-designed. I love that lil guy, he's perfect. It definitely doesn't feel like a gimmick but as core of a part of the game as the Pikmin themselves.
Also, though I won't say it, there's an extra mode/side story in the game that's just Pikmin 1 Super Turbo and I love it, it was FANTASTIC. They really outdid themselves utilizing their resources and areas and making two distinct campaigns.
Overall, an incredible game, Pikmin is Peakmin. Play this game and embrace the calling of Dandori. I feel like I could do five tasks at once now (and then promptly fall asleep because it would tire my brain out).
To start with my few issues, I think some of the caves aren't that great. The early ones are incredibly short and simple, and although they have a big advantage over Pikmin 2's caves of being completely designed (which does show INCREDIBLY well in latter caves), early ones feel like a bit of a slog just by how under designed they feel. Even some latter caves have this same issue, with some floors being very small and simple while others can be large, elaborate, and flush with puzzles and enemies. I think the caves, overall, are better than not, though. A lot of the caves in the last two areas are really good and I enjoyed them a lot.
The Dandori challenges and Dandori battles are really interesting. Some of the Dandori challenges in the main game are a bit boring (though not in the sense of being too easy, I definitely got my ass kicked by a handful and it really pushed me to my limit, which I liked). There are some special Dandori challenges that involve objectives like reaching a location or ferrying an item in a specific time limit that I wish was seen more in the main game as opposed to just collecting as many treasures as you can.
Dandori battles feel a bit hectic, partially because of how much is going on on the screen given the split screen. There's a bit few too many elements going on at times, especially as more mechanics get added on in latter battles. But, they're far and few between in the story, so it was a nice way to break things up.
Also, another negative, when you clear out an area of enemies, they just... don't respawn. I don't entirely get why that's the case, but it makes the world feel incredibly empty by the time you're done with an area. I would've liked to see enemies respawn, so returning to an area to farm Pikmin or get lingering treasures isn't such a solitary experience.
The areas, though? They're so big and lush and beautifully designed, so deliberate in their shortcuts, their enemy placements, and their treasure placements, that it's pretty awe-inspiring. I fully believe these are the best areas in the Pikmin series bar none. The two postgame areas, as well as the house, are all awesome, and I loved exploring them. The music is great, and with the closer camera, you really get this sense of scale that I feel like I didn't have since I was a kid playing Pikmin 1 and seeing in the instruction manual that Olimar is the size of a quarter.
The Pikmin limitations are VERY smart in my opinion, both from the idea of a brand new player to the series not being overwhelmed by having 100 Pikmin and all of the Pikmin types out, but also for veteran players to manage their tasks as effectively as possible while slowly increasing what they can bring along during the day. While I miss having all of my Pikmin types in the field, I think this was by far the best and smartest decision, and really made me think about how I want to break up tasks, which Pikmin to bring along in which quantities, and how I could get the most done with what little resources I had starting out.
Other points: the new creatures are fantastic, I loved seeing so many old creatures return in various forms, and just, UGH, Pikmin's creature design has always been aces, but they were in top form here. Bosses were incredibly cool.
Some of the combat was a bit easier, especially given the combination of Oatchi's charge stunning and ice Pikmin, but I figure you can always avoid doing certain things to challenge yourself, it didn't bother me as much (and it was incredibly exciting at times to just barely one cycle a boss with ice Pikmin freeze).
I love the music, especially in the fifth area, the sound design is incredible.
The story is simple, but still good, it's an interesting little thing that, weirdly enough, has interesting implications for the Pikmin timeline/lore? Lmao it's so weird to say that.
I also love Oatchi, the game is VERY clearly designed around his inclusion, and he's both adorable and is very well-designed. I love that lil guy, he's perfect. It definitely doesn't feel like a gimmick but as core of a part of the game as the Pikmin themselves.
Also, though I won't say it, there's an extra mode/side story in the game that's just Pikmin 1 Super Turbo and I love it, it was FANTASTIC. They really outdid themselves utilizing their resources and areas and making two distinct campaigns.
Overall, an incredible game, Pikmin is Peakmin. Play this game and embrace the calling of Dandori. I feel like I could do five tasks at once now (and then promptly fall asleep because it would tire my brain out).