A brand-new trailer forPikmin 4has arrived, detailing some major changes coming to the highly-anticipated sequel. Prior footage gave fans quick glances at the game’s overall aesthetic, as well as some returning gameplay mechanics. This new trailer, revealed at theFebruary Nintendo Directhowever, introduced additions toPikmin 4’s core gameplay loop, including combat, Pikmin types, an animal companion, and the ability to traverse both land and sea in various ways. The game’s new climbing mechanic has the potential to provide the biggest impact on its gameplay, as the player’s ability to navigate up walls should add a lot more verticality to the title’s level layouts.
Pikmin 4appears to be unlike prior entries of the series in many fundamental ways. PNF-404, the planet on whichPikmingames takes place, appears much more varied in its landscape, andPikmin 4appears to give players plenty of options in how to navigate it. Changes to some Pikmin roles, a day and night cycle, and the game’s new dog-like companion, Oatchi, allow players the chance to see the series' main setting in a new light. Exploration of PNF-404 is key to players rescuingPikmin 4’s castaways, which appears to be the primary objective in the title. Little is known about the overall plot ofPikmin 4, though Nintendo has revealed that it features a team of astronauts and can be played by up to 2 players.
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Pikmin 4 Debuts The Creation of Climbable Walls
Pikmin 4features the return of multiple Pikmin types. Red, Yellow, and Blue Pikmin are all visible in the title’s newest trailer, in addition to a new type,Ice Pikmin. It appears that Pikmin have been given expanded roles inPikmin 4, as fans see glimpses of Pikmin pulling up roots, breaking down walls, freezing water, and immobilizing enemies. Players also see the main protagonist climb up a wall, a skill previously unavailable to players. More importantly, in the scenes' opening microseconds, players can see that Red Pikmin, previously a favorite for battling and fire traversal, create that climbable wall themselves.
Of the many new features showcased inPikmin 4’s gameplay footage, climbable surfaces could provide the biggest direct change to the title’s landscape. Prior titles have featured climbing to some extent, as certain objects allowed Pikmin or Olimar to reach higher levels. However, it appears thatPikmin 4players will directly order Red Pikmin to create climbable surfaces, as needed. Should this be the case, it could add a lot of verticality to the title’s level layout.
Pikmin 4’s Wall-Climbing Could Impact Both Traversal and Survival
Players already know thatPikmin 4has expanded its approach to level layout, as the title’s trailer showcases Pikmin altering the landscape in a variety of ways. Additionally,Pikmin 4’s dog-like companion, Oatchican be seen lifting obstacles and enemies out of the way, as well as transporting the protagonist and Pikmin across bodies of water. By requiring the player to create climbable-walls,Pikmin 4creates a brand-new set of potential challenges, obstacles, and threats.
Some fans speculated that the series would add climbing, as thePikmin 4announcement trailershowed an enemy guarding a pocket watch that was hanging above the ground. However, the reality is something much more essential to the title’s gameplay, adding unique challenges. Wall-climbing points toPikmin 4obstacles and objectives featuring a more complex approach than in prior entries. Players will likely be required to plan when and where they should climb for the best potential outcome. Certain routes could provide a bigger combat or traversal risk.
Adding verticality through Red Pikmin also opens up new strategies for enemy engagement and evasion. Players could possibly attempt to sneak past enemies from a higher surface or rain down Pikmin to overwhelm the opposition. However, verticality also adds the possibility that enemies will have the same advantage, which could prove especially dangerous inPikmin 4’s Night Levels. With five months until release, players can expect future trailers to provide greater detail onPikmin 4’s verticality.
