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With the most recent Nintendo Direct, a new Pikmin 4 trailer was finally released into the wild. To the delight of fans, Nintendo showed off tons of new mechanics and features that will heavily influence Pikmin 4‘s gameplay. This includes things like new game modes, Pikmin, and enemies. Although it seems some aspects of the game are still being kept a mystery, these reveals are great news for fans. Additionally, a Pikmin 4 demo will be available for players to try out on June 28th. Hopefully, this demo will give players a chance to try out some of these new Pikmin 4 features.
5. Glow Pikmin Will Join the Others in Pikmin 4
Something that fans always look forward to in each new Pikmin game is new types of Pikmin. Already, Nintendo has revealed Ice Pikmin, who will have the ability to freeze their surroundings. The new Pikmin 4 gameplay trailer, however, has featured Glow Pikmin, a peculiar Pikmin type unlike anything seen to date. These strange, ghostly Pikmin come out at night, taking advantage of Pikmin 4‘s new night expeditions. The Glow Pikmin will have the ability to ward off the frenzied night creatures, acting as a main line of defense for Luminals. Additionally, the protagonist is shown forming a massive ball of Glow Pikmin. This ball can be thrown at enemies as a massive attack. This new ability is something never-before-seen in Pikmin and is sure to add to the overall strategy of the game.
4. Pikmin 4’s Nighttime Expeditions Feature a New Challenge
As mentioned, the new Pikmin 4 trailer has introduced nighttime expeditions – something that shocked many fans. As many know, previous Pikmin games have treated nighttime as uninhabitable and extremely dangerous. When it gets too late, players will have to retreat to their spaceship and hide out in the planet’s skies for the night. Any Pikmin left behind will be attacked by the night creatures. However, Pikmin 4 will now let you venture out during these dangerous times. Monsters will be frenzied and extra aggressive at night. Extra rewards will be available in the form of Luminals, which produce a valuable substance called glow sap. The night monsters will attack the Luminals, so be ready to defend them.
3. Oatchi Will Be Your Companion in Pikmin 4
Fans are already in love with the newest companion in Pikmin 4, Oatchi. Resembling a large dog, the new Pikmin 4 trailer showed off some of Oatchi’s features and abilities. First, Oatchi can help Pikmin lift objects and treasures and carry them to the ship. Oatchi can also be used as a battering ram to break down some obstacles. On top of this, the protagonist can ride Oatchi around. Combined with his ability to swim, Oatchi can safely ferry Pikmin over dangerous rivers. Although this will start to step on the Blue Pikmin’s territory, Oatchi can’t submerge underwater, meaning the dog won’t make Blue Pikmin useless. So far, it seems like Pikmin 4‘s Oatchi will be the most unique Pikmin companion ever.
2. New Dandori Battles Add a Competitive Edge to the Game
Although Pikmin has included competitive modes in the past, none have been at the level of Pikmin 4‘s Dandori Battles feature. In this mode, players will need to strategically issue commands to Pikmin to collect more treasures than their competitors. The only reward the Pikmin 4 gameplay trailer specifies currently is saving a castaway crew member. However, many players are speculating that this mode will be available for multiplayer as well. If Pikmin 4 features online Dandori Battles, it would introduce a new layer of replayability to the series. Sadly, the extent of Dandori Battles is currently unknown. Hopefully, the playable Pikmin 4 Demo will introduce some more information on this mysterious mode.
1. Save Castaways to Upgrade Your Ship’s Base
Finally, the biggest thing that Pikmin 4 introduces to the series is a feature involving saving castaways. Scattered around after your ship’s crash landing, the protagonist must find all the castaways hidden around the world. Once saved, these castaways will return to your base and allow the player to upgrade various things. As such, it seems these castaways will add a base-building and upgrade system that has never been in the series before. Exactly what upgrades this will entail is so far unknown. However, the new Pikmin 4 trailer does share that you can use castaways to train Oatchi with new skills, like the ability to carry more weight.
