Picmin 4 is the same micromanagement creature game we all know and love, with some new features to spice up the gameplay, such as the inclusion of the Ice Pikmin, Oatchi, and the sprawling cave system.
The core gameplay is still the same as the previous games. You are tasked to rescue some people stranded on a mysterious planet; you do that using pikmin, obedient little creatures that you can toss around (as well as command to carry your stuff). Pikmin can return enemies and pellets to them Onion to grow more Pikmin and carry treasures to your ship to unlock more areas to explore.
This Nintendo IP is so loved for a reason, so if this is your first Pikmin game (or maybe it’s just been a while since you’ve played one), we’ve got some tips to help you navigate Picmin 4 below.
Don’t forget about Oatchi
Oatchi (the cute dog) is the main big addition to the game (alongside Ice and Glow Pikmin) and he definitely shouldn’t be forgotten. Most of the time, you’d have to ride Oatchi to avoid being followed by a huge mob of easy-to-target Pikmin.
Oatchi can also sniff out treasure, swim across water, knock over tall objects, and even carry massive amounts of weight. At max upgrade, Oatchi can carry stuff worth 100 Pikmin, which is extremely useful as it means he can solo carry nearly every item in the game.
It’s easy to forget about Oatchi at first and fall back into older Pikmin habits (all the tutorials notwithstanding), so don’t forget your cute orange friend.
No need to run into caves – if at all, to be honest
Time slows down significantly in caves, and the day won’t end while you’re in a cave. Caves all function more like linear puzzles to solve, so take your time. When you leave the cave, your Pikmin will all be with you, so you don’t have to worry about dying even if you get out of the cave at the end of the day.
That said, there is no daily limit in the main campaign Picmin 4so you can take your time playing. Take as many days as you need to fully discover everything.
Remember ‘dandori:’ always doing something
To maximize time, both on normal stages and in caves, your Pikmin should always be doing something. Whether it’s taking out a bad guy or bringing simple pellets back to the ship to make more Pikmin, keep them working.
This is especially so in the dandori battles, where you to have to keep your Pikmin constantly collecting to pass.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
Some Pikmin Types Are a Luxury (Especially Early)
Picmin 4 includes all Pikmin types from previous games, along with two new Pikmin types: Ice and Glow.
However, the white, purple, rock, pink, and new ice pickmin are deluxe early on. While you want find onions for this Pikmin they won’t appear for a while, which means you can only harvest this Pikmin through Candypop Bud in the caves. You can re-enter caves to get more special Pikmin, but since that’s tricky, make sure you protect these special species as much as possible.
Clear a path before collecting objects
Enemies are everywhere: in the air, underground, on a cliff just out of your sight. They are a danger to you, your Pikmin and even Oatchi. It’s best to put out as many Pikmin as you can on any enemy you encounter and take out the enemies before sending your Pikmin out to collect treasures.
Pikmin takes the shortest route back to your ship, so sometimes they cross enemies you didn’t notice and then… they die! Sad! That said, enemies on the regular stage maps don’t respawn at all, so once you defeat a bad guy it’s over for good. (Enemies respawn in caves once you complete the cave at 100% and return.)
Talk to everyone in base camp, not just your crew members
As you save more and more people, make sure you chat with them twice – once to introduce yourself and another time to start any side missions. Completing these side missions isn’t mandatory, but they do reward you with currency for doing things you’re probably already doing, like growing Pikmin, finding onions, and taking down enemies, so you might as well get that money.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
When in doubt, throw Pikmin
Did Oatchi take you to a treasure place and there’s nothing there? Throw your Pikmin on the ground. Are you fighting an enemy? Throw all your Pikmin at it. Is a chest slightly out of reach? Throw your pink and yellow Pikmin. Throw your Pikmin all the time.
Don’t get attached
The most important thing about Pikmin games is: never get attached to your Pikmin. Hundreds, if not thousands, will die during your playthrough. Sometimes a stone rolls down a hill and crushes 30 at a time. Sometimes an enemy will carry one out of your line of sight. It never ceases to be disturbing, but it’s a pretty normal part of the game.
That said it all…
Remember: you can rewind time
New in Picmin 4, you can even rewind time to avoid losing your Pikmin if you wish. If you’re caught off guard by a huge Bulborb that knocks over 60 of your Pikmin at once, good news! Just rewind that cave and you’ll have all your Pikmin back. This is great for figuring out boss strategy while also avoiding scrambling back and forth between onions.