Nintendo released a new gameplay overview trailer for Pikmin 4, explaining its various types of Pikmin, new and old, and several other gameplay mechanics, and at the same release the game’s demo for all to play on Nintendo Switch via its e-Shop!
The seven-minute overview trailer details things like Dandori battles, the return of Pikmin types like Rock Pikmin, Ice Pikmin, and more, and its various types of treasures and its new creepy, but exciting night expeditions!
Pikmin 4 launches for the Nintendo Switch on July 21
▍Pikmin 4 Overview Trailer
▍Pikmin 4 Gameplay
Pikmin 4 is a real-time strategy and puzzle game where players take on the role of a captain controlling plant-like creatures called Pikmin, each with various abilities and distinct characteristics.
In Pikmin 4, Captain Olimar crash-landed on an unknown planet, and when the Rescue Corps went to retrieve him, they also crash-landed! Now it’s up to you, the newest member of the Rescue Corps to find Olimar and the rest of the Corps, while repairing their crashed spaceship to make your way home.
To do this you’ll need to control these Pikmin, and a new companion you’ll find called Oatchi to explore this vast planet, looking for treasures and your crew members!
You can get Pikmin by plucking them out of the earth and signaling them to move towards certain locations using your whistle and other gestures. These Pikmin can be commanded to move to certain locations, pick up objects, destroy obstacles, and even get around pesky environmental hazards by using the right Pikmin!
Your new good boyfriend, Oatchi will also be a big help here! This adorable doggo can help you and your Pikmin pick up larger objects, and be sent to charge towards larger obstacles that the Pikmin can’t get rid of to clear new paths and unlock new zones.
Oatchi can also be told to give different commands like searching for certain items, and you can move faster with your Pikmin by having them all mount Oatchi. As you explore you’ll find various types of treasures containing a rare energy source called Sparklium. Collect these treasures to harness this energy to repair your ship’s radar, unlocking even more areas and zones to play in!
Pikmin 4 also features a new underground world, filled with strange contraptions, wildlife, and even more treasures that await you as you find something new around every corner.
You might even bump into a castaway or two in the underground so it’s worth looking out for these underground areas.
Speaking of castaways, every now and then you might encounter a mysterious figure dressed strangely like a member of the Rescue Corps, who will take crew members away until you do battle with them in 1 on 1 Dandori battles! Test your skills by collecting as many objects as you can while dealing with enemies, and this mysterious figure to take your crew member back!
As you rescue more of your crew, you’ll unlock new features such as the ability to train Oatchi, craft gear at the lab, and gain other useful insights to help you along the journey. With enough rescued you can even be allowed to go on Night expeditions!
Be careful though, because at night the creatures seem to go berserk, becoming even more aggressive. Luckily for you though, at night is where the Glow Pikmins reveal themselves, and these Glow Pikmin are often guarding a kind of Glowsap called Lumenols. But other creatures will also want a taste of this resource, so you may have to drive back creatures using these powerful Pikmin!
When exploring you might end up losing some of your Pikmin… Or all of them. But don’t worry as you can use Pikmin 4’s rewind feature to go back a minute or a few, to rescue your Pikmin! This will also roll back any progress you’ve made, but losing a minute is much better than losing your team!
As you encounter creatures you’ll also fill up your Piklopedia, which you can then engage with in mock battles, as a kind of practice mode to polish your skills.
The game also features 2-player modes, one for its story and one for Dandori battles, letting you play against the Ai or against each other in thrilling clashes to see who can collect the most items!
In its story mode playing together lets the 2nd player fire rocks out towards objects and enemies on screen, giving the first player some nice bonus damage and help reach certain objects, and can even toss useful items.
