ThePikminfranchise is quickly approaching a new era thanks to the upcoming release ofPikmin 4. While the gap between it andPikmin 3has grown even larger than that between the Wii U’sPikmin 3and the GameCube’sPikmin 2, fans finally have a solid release date for the game.Pikmin 4will bring new captains and goals to the old planet PNF-404, as well as a host of other features that make it stand out. EvenPikmin 2’s caves have made a return, though it will be interesting to see how they interact withPikmin 4’s new features and lowered camera.
Quite a lot of topics in the new trailer have drawn fans' attention. The dog-like creature named Oatchi is certainly one, with it serving almost like a special unit all on its own.Night mode presents a new angle forPikmin, and should prop up the series' dwindling difficulty levels. And of course, the new Ice Pikmin present all sorts of new gameplay possibilities. However, with the introduction of this light blue Pikmin breed, it feels like regular Blue Pikmin are getting the short end of the stick.
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One Pikmin Type Or Another Always Gets Left Behind
ThePikminfranchise has been lauded for its compelling resource management gameplay, combined with well-designed action that has only grown more tight over time. With that said, the franchise is no stranger to balance issues and certain Pikmin varieties feeling like they’ve been left behind.OnlyHey! Pikminhas managedto dodge this issue, and that’s by capping the maximum number of Pikmin and what types are available in each stage. The numbered entries are rife with dominant strategies that can even become apparent on a first playthrough.
Pikmin 1was relatively well-balanced, but Yellows fell behind thanks to the limited need for their higher throws, and Bomb Rocks being quick to find and employ. Red Pikmin had the most general uses thanks to their high damage, but were then rendered totally obsolete by Purple Pikmin in the second game. The thirdPikmintitle did this again with Rock Pikmin, even whilePurple and White Pikminwere nerfed and stuffed into side modes. Although Yellows had been steadily improving thanks to more electrical mechanics, Blues also suffered inPikmin 3thanks to the new Flying Pikmin being able to cross waterlogged environments. Now that all Pikmin types are returning on top of the new help inPikmin 4, Blue Pikmin are in danger of losing their job.
Pikmin 4 May Be Filled With Blue Pikmin Replacements
Just saying that Flying Pikmin will make designing relevant Blue Pikmin challenges tougher sells the situation short. In one trailer,Pikmin 4has almost totally defanged water.Oatchi can swim with Pikmin on its back, and Ice Pikmin can be embedded in water to freeze the surface solid. While both of these options have unknown limits and costs, it’s telling that some shots inPikmin 4’s trailer contain armies of Red, Yellow, and Ice Pikmin with no Blue in sight.
So many factors at play will make designingPikmin 4difficult, and it will be interesting to see how Nintendo approaches the final game’s environments and enemies. It’s possible thatPikmin 2and3’s original Pikmin types will be relegated to side modes again, but that still leaves Blue Pikmin in competition with Oatchi and Ice Pikmin.Making Ice Pikmin into a limited cave resourcelike White and Purple Pikmin once were could help, but won’t stem the old Red and Yellow Pikmin problems where Blues have niche uses and are outclassed by others' stats. Hopefully, whenPikmin 4releases, every Pikmin variety gets its due.
