Pikmin 4 is an adventure puzzle game that might interest players who have never played the Pikmin series, or entice players of the franchise to return for its fourth iteration of the game. The question is, has there been enough improvements and updates from its predecessors for players to keep coming back? Keep reading to find out if it’s for you or not.

There are very familiar characters and creatures you’ll come across in this latest iteration of the game. Captain Olimar is yet again exploring space and worlds, and as you guessed it, crash lands on a planet labelled PNF-404, which is also a very familiar earth-like environment. And as per usual, you’re there to rescue Captain Olimar. However, not only are you the new recruit of the rescue corps, but the team that was sent to extract Olimar had crashed landed and spread across the planet. So, it’s up to you to rescue your seasoned team members, Captain Olimar, and any other surviving civilian castaways. In a nutshell, that’s the basic narrative for Pikmin 4.

As you wander around in your exploration and rescue mission, you'll likely come across various creatures such as Oatchi, a dog-like creature that acts as man’s best friend… or in this case, Alien’s best friend. First off, utilizing Oatchi is not only fun, but makes the dynamics of the puzzles in each area more explorable. There are certain areas to each map where you’ll have to separate from your best-friend and go back and forth in controlling the characters to get through certain levels.

Not only that, but you’re able to ride Oatchi as it grows and even attach your Pikmin onto it As for Oatchi itself, you’re able to unlock and/or upgrade new abilities and skills, such as swimming faster, buff, mega rush and so on, just to name a few. And not only are you able to give Oatchi the extra skills to make your exploration and battling journey easier, you’re also able to upgrade your own gear as well. These are in the form of headlamps for lighting up dark tunnel levels, rush boots which make you move faster, and certain body armour ‘guards’ that help protect you from certain creatures that emit elemental damage.

Speaking of elemental attributes, there are the return of familiar Pikmin that have similar elemental attributes to Pokémon. Whether it’s red Pikmin for them being resistant to fire, light blue for ice type, dark grey (or black) for rock, and dark blue for water, these Pikmin are definitely useful for unlocking certain areas of the maps, or battling specific enemies and bosses. There are a few other specific Pikmin and colours you’ll come across beyond what was just previously listed, but it’s more fun to work it out as you come across them. That being said, having a huge army of Pikmin to do your bidding, fight enemies and treasure hunt is always fun, which could be increase when gathering onions that are hidden across each map area.

Overall, Pikmin 4 is an excellent puzzle adventure that can be enjoyed across all ages. The characters are cute, and there are customisable options for your own character with an assortment of colours, hair styles, face shapes and features to choose from. And as you find more civilian survivors across the world, it unlocks extra options and challenges to keep you going outside of the main story arc, such as Dandori challenges. These are in the way of you vs an alien humanoid in which you have to bring in as many treasures, beaten creatures or items to collate points. Whoever has the higher points wins the round, within a timer.

The only downfall to Pikmin 4 is its tedious narrative and dialogue, which you can do without and work out what’s needed. The narrative is so simplistic that you’ll get to a point where you’d be happy to skip them and just get on with the game and puzzles. On the flip side, it’s great to see familiar gaming objects, easter eggs, items and treasures you’ll find littered through the game.

If you’re a fan of the Pikmin series, you’ll still enjoy this iteration of the game. If you were always curious and found the Pikmin themselves cute and were curious if it’d be a game for you… then yes, you’ll likely enjoy it for its simplistic short stint puzzles which you can pick and put down easily. Lots of fun, lots of cuteness, and lots of satisfying accomplishments, making it a great puzzle game.