Pikmin 4 – getting your pikmin killed will no doubt be as guilt-tripping as ever (pic: Nintendo)
The first proper trailer for Pikmin 4 boasts a new camera angle and dog companion, but otherwise looks like a classic Pikmin game.
Although it was announced back in 2015, we never saw a single thing about Pikmin 4 until this past September, when series creator Shigeru Miyamoto reminded everyone it existed with a logo and a 2023 release window.
Wednesday night’s Nintendo Direct kicked off with the first real trailer for Pikmin 4, confirming a more solid release date of July 21.
It was previously implied that Pikmin 4 would be shaking up the series’ formula by ditching its overhead camera for an over-the-shoulder one. While that is indeed the case, bringing players much closer to the action, Pikmin 4 otherwise looks pretty similar to the originals.
For some context, the Pikmin series is essentially Nintendo’s take on real-time strategy games. Instead of soldiers, though, you’re commanding a race of plant-like creatures called pikmin, using them to fight enemies, collect items, solve puzzles, and explore the world around you.
That still seems to be the case with Pikmin 4, although it appears to have overhauled the day/night cycle, with the implication that you can explore at night, to collect special gems, but that the creatures are extra dangerous.
The game is also introducing a number of new features during daytime, such as an ice type pikmin that can freeze enemies and bodies of water. A welcome addition considering most pikmin die upon touching water.
Pikmin 4 – don’t stare into its beady eyes for too long (pic: Nintendo)
You’ll also be joined by a new dog-like companion called Oatchi, which we can’t decide is really cute or kind of creepy looking. He’s at least useful, though, and capable of smashing through obstacles, carrying heavy objects, and you and your band of pikmin can ride on his back.
He reminds us a lot of Poochy, a similar dopey-looking dog character from the Yoshi games, who would aid Yoshi on his adventures.
There’s still quite a bit Nintendo has yet to explain about Pikmin 4 but while it certainly has pretty visuals, and some new gameplay additions, it otherwise looks little different from the previous games. And those previous sequels were already a little too similar to each other.
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The trailer also doesn’t give much of an indication of what the story is this time. We don’t recognise the new playable character or their crewmates and there’s nothing to suggest that they have any direct ties to Captain Olimar (protagonist of the first two games) or the crew of Pikmin 3.
At the very least, Pikmin 4 looks to once again take place on the pikmin’s home planet, and this new crew hasn’t crash landed, although what their motivation is for visiting hasn’t been explained yet either.
Pikmin 4 launches for Nintendo Switch on July 21.
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The first proper trailer for Pikmin 4 boasts a new camera angle and dog companion, but otherwise looks like a classic Pikmin game.
