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> Pikmin 2: Written by:
Michael Anthony
 Publisher: Nintendo Price: 49.99 Genre: Strategy E for Everyone
The year of 2001 marked history
for Nintendo enthusiasts. When the Nintendo GameCube made it’s colossal November 18th debut, admirers of Nintendo couldn’t
be any more exultant... ignoring the fact that there was yet to be a new Mario title. With a strong line-up of: Luigi’s
Mansion, WaveRace: Blue Storm & Super Smash Bros. Melee we still couldn’t help but question why Shiggy (Mario &
Zelda creator) chose a debris-finding-bug-adventure over our platform-happy plumber.
Mercifully, he made the right decision. Nintendo lead its sleeper title far
into our hearts within the first thirty minutes of playtime. The cutesy storyline, along with the first-rate and very innovative
control scheme had us immediately addicted. Although Pikmin 1 will always remain an unforgettable title, there were minor
flaws that kept us from enjoying the game‘s full potential.
Unchangeable difficulty settings had the propensity to irritate most gamers. While most people found the game to be far
too difficult, others claimed that it was much to easy. Most of the difficulty settings worked in conjunction with the thirty-day
limit. Those who found this game to be difficult considered that the tension built-up upon the time limit made you vulnerable
to frustration. Conversely, hardcore gamers who breezed through the game swiftly found this feature to set too many boundaries
for the game. It also made the game very short as well. Promissory, it’s safe to say that these minor problems have
all been corrected.
How can mixed difficulty opinions become suitable for everyone? Nintendo has managed to find a way to ease us into the
new difficulty settings. The new ability to control two separate groups of pikmin at once simply makes it much more easy for
those looking for a more light hearted experience. Those looking for more of a challenge can simply take on the harder tasks
of delving into underground sub-levels. Thankfully, the thirty-day limit has been abolished. The game makes a clear point
that there is no limit, you have as many days to find pikmin as you wish. Want to take the day off and just collect pikmin?
You now have the ability to do so.
Minor difficulty settings may have affected our final thoughts on Pikmin 1 overall, but the gameplay gave us a wonderful
breath of fresh air. Being able to control your tiny army so precisely is simply brilliant, and the ingenuity that was put
into Pikmin 1 was exhilarating. Not only did Nintendo correct the minor flaws, but also they have added upon an already great
concept.
Not only will you take control of five different species of pikmin (including the new white & purple types) but you’ll
also be able to divide your pikmin into two different groups. This new innovative feature can be used for more than one purpose.
For instance; while Olimar throws pikmin on a switch to raise him to higher platforms, Louie can then go around and throw
the pikmin to him and help him accomplish his goal, while Louie can then take his own group of pikmin to do a completely different
task.
Aside from having no 30-day limit, there are plenty of sub-levels that are actually quite fun. The sub-levels take you
beneath the surface of each level to uncover buried treasure hidden dark in alleyways, and sometimes inside the belly of a
foe. Defeating a giant creature to uncover a new item worth big pokos (i.e. money) which may occasionally become usable is
one of the many advantages you have to taking on these sub-missions. There is no time limit while you’re underground,
which means that you’ll have extra time to retain enemy corpses and turn them into pikmin for you’re benefit.
The sub-levels aren’t all cookies and cream, this is where strategy comes into play. Most of the time, you will be alerted
of hazardous dangers that may occur before you explore the outer reaches, so it’s up to you to choose the right pikmin
for the job. Leaving behind too many purple warrior pikmin can be fatal, but if you don’t take enough fire pikmin, will
your hungry foes get to you before tending to a task quickly? Simple things like this can highly effect the overall outcome.
The sub-levels were a brilliant idea and Nintendo has fulfilled what we felt was lacking in the first game.
Another new feature added to the Pikmin series is the all-new multiplayer mode. There are various types of modes, and multiple
situations that you will encounter while playing through the multiplayer mode. While some levels may best be compared to mazes,
others take on your overall experience with the game. Those with more knowledge will certainly have the advantage over their
opponent. Most of the time, it will require you to collect a certain amount of various items before your rival, however the
main objective isn’t always the most pleasurable. 2-Player mission objectives are always clear despite the tutorials
available; however, they take little time to learn. Unfortunately, the multiplayer mode doesn’t quite satisfy as much
as the single player mode does. Although being able to watch pikmin brawl with each other may be fun, it’s nothing memorable.
Nonetheless, it was a nice distraction from the real game, but the multiplayer mode in Pikmin 2 does have the potential to
initially evolve into something much greater.
Pikmin 2’s predecessor only enabled us to have three types of pikmin, but now you’ll be able to command up
to five different types. First and foremost, each pikmin has a unique ability, and you will definitely find the game’s
new purple & white pikmin to be very useful. Purple pikmin are very strong; and when carrying items, they equal up to
ten regular pikmin in strength. They also destroy enemies 10x as fast as normal pikmin do. White pikmin can help you find
buried treasures hidden under dirt, and also help you break down gate obstacles surrounded by pollution that other pikmin
are unable to access.
When it’s all said and done how does Pikmin 2 compare to its predecessor? Hand’s-down, the storyline is surprisingly
well written, the graphics are gorgeous and the new gameplay methods introduced to us surpass the term “innovative”.
Overall, Pikmin 2 is an amazing title, and if you enjoyed the first one, then there’s no doubt that you won’t
enjoy the follow-up. If you were equally impressed, or had mixed feelings about the first game, I’d still advise you
to check out this game. I was sure that I wasn’t going to purchase this game, but thankfully a last minute decision
led me to happiness x100!
The graphical detail and texture that Pikmin 2 sports is unbelievable. Beautiful water reflection effects along with vibrant
colors make for an unbelievably nice looking experience. Due to the fact that gameplay is so addictive, it’s hard to
take graphics into consideration, however graphics simply surpass any recent projects by Nintendo. Let us not forget Splintercell:
Pandora Tomorrow, an unbelievably nice looking game I plagued the “Best looking game on Xbox” award to. Now,
It’s my pleasure to say that Pikmin 2 is the best looking game on GameCube. Graphical detail is far too underrated and
in this department, Pikmin simply delivers.
The background music in Pikmin games can mostly relate to Super Mario Sunshine; it’s good, but seems nonexistent
when you’re focusing on gameplay, but nonetheless the tunes are very catchy. I’m still trying to shake the first
Pikmin theme song out of my head, but aside from that, Nintendo throws in even more songs that sound the same as the first,
but aren’t. It’s perplexing trying to figure out if you love or hate the music, however when its all said and
done, Pikmin’s BGM (background music) holds up compared to its predecessor. Hearing the Pikmin hum tunes while they
are working is actually quite cute, giggle. Although pikmin may tend to give you the creeps, they can best be described as
the Tarantula spider; they’re cute, but the only way you’ll come close to them is if there‘s a glass divider
separating the two of you.
Nintendo has faultlessly managed to combine a very unique, yet satisfying control scheme with quick the responsiveness
needed while encountering a foe. The C-stick controls your pikmin creatures, while you can ensue other commands that separate
pikmin creatures by color, or divide Louie and Olimar into their own groups to take separate pikmin on different journeys
(via the X & Y buttons). The control scheme works so incredibly well with this game, and responsiveness
is [once again] brilliant.
The last game’s thirty-day limit went well with the storyline, but made the game beatable within eight hours of gameplay.
Now, Nintendo has doubled the replay value; allowing us to collect various items (Chapstick, garden glove, globe, 7up bottle
cap etc.) at our own pace. We can now explore levels more thoroughly as appose to the last game, where you had to complete
your mission objective, and leave. Thankfully, Nintendo has listened to their fellow gamers, and made Pikmin 2 a very long-lasting
experience.
Pikmin 2 is just so unexplainably good. First-rate graphics, mixed with surreal gameplay makes for an unforgettable experience.
Although the multiplayer mode could have used some tuning, the single-player mode (which is the main aspect) simply delivers.
Aside from having a new plot, there are also new types of pikmin and new enemies, which puts Pikmin 2 right on par. I would
highly recommend this game to any N-fan. Simply put: Don’t hesitate, buy this game, you won’t regret it.
Graphics: 10 | Sound: 8.6 | Control: 10
| Replay: 8.0 | Overall Game Score: 9.5/10
                           
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