PIKMIN 2
(star)(star)(star)(star)
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: GC
Genre: Strategy
Rated: EVERYONE
Everybody knows that Nintendo walks to the beat of its own drum, but games such as “Pikmin 2” really remind you of how far out the House That Mario Built truly can be. While such action titles as “Halo 2” and “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” make gamers’ hearts skip a beat, Nintendo releases a quirky strategy game starring flowers.
Call it goofy, call it a salad sim, just as long as you call it one of the most original, unique games of the year — just like the first “Pikmin,” released back in 2001.
The Pikmin are a race of itty-bitty plant people who do exactly as they are told. When two spacemen named Olimar and Louie (yes, they are supposed to be “thisclose” to Nintendo superstars Mario and Luigi) land on what is assumed to be a bizarro planet Earth to collect priceless artifacts, the little Pikmin sign up for the scavenger hunt without asking any questions.
Many elements of “Pikmin 2” remain the same. Olimar requires the help of a horde of Pikmin to overcome obstacles, defeat enemies and collect treasure. Every task requires a set number of Pikmin, and not just any Pikmin — some plants are better suited for certain jobs than others. Blue Pikmin can wade through water. Red Pikmin can walk through fire. Yellow Pikmin can be thrown up great heights.
“Pikmin 2” introduces two new cast members: purple and white Pikmin. The sickly looking white Pikmin, with their freaky red eyes, can withstand the poison attacks of several enemy bugs and critters. The purple Pikmin are bruisers, able to do the work of 10 regular Pikmin. These brawny bulbs are well suited for combat, as many small foes can be bested by just one purple fellow.
The greatest complaint about the original “Pikmin” was the time limit. Nintendo had created a gorgeous world that deserved exploration, but the ticking clock kept you from enjoying the sights and just goofing around with Pikmin.”Pikmin 2″ still has day cycles, but the timer is mercifully gone.
The chief goal of “Pikmin 2” is still to collect objects such as batteries and keys. To move objects back to your spaceship, you must assign a required number of Pikmin (always displayed above the item) by either moving your crowd of obedient Pikmin on top of it, or physically throwing them to the treasure. There are approximately 200 goodies to discover and recover, giving real fans quite the bang for their buck.
In addition to nabbing treasure, Olimar and Louie and their Pikmin army must also brave a series of caves. The catch with these caverns is that, once inside, you cannot recruit any new Pikmin.
“Pikmin 2” is almost as much fun to look at as it is to play. The photo-realistic settings are the perfect contrasting backdrop to the silly plant world denizens. The enemy plants and creatures you encounter look born of a ladybug’s worst nightmare. The Pikmin themselves are adorable, which makes their whiny death knells even more disturbing and gruesome. Make no mistake, many Pikmin died to make this game.
Nintendo really does make an effort to introduce fresh concepts, even when creating a sequel. And for that courage in this “me too” market, it should be rewarded by more than just a passing smile as gamers walk to the counter with their newest digital killing spree or highway racer.
