Pikmin 2 :or: How Throwing Plants Is Fun

Overall: 9
Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 9
Sound: 8
Concept: 9
Replay Value: 8

Many good games were released near the end of 2004, only to be overshadowed by giant titles like Halo 2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Half Life 2. One of the better games that was drowned out in this way was the sequel to Nintendo's quirky Pikmin. Pikmin 2 takes all of the things that made the first game a must-have early Gamecube title and adds some extra goodness while addressing a few of the original's shortcomings.

As before, you control pint-sized (actually, more like nickel-sized) space explorer Olimar who is on Earth collecting valuable treasures -- you know, used batteries, bottle caps, lost marbles, that kind of stuff. This time he's accompanied by Louie, though this doesn't mean much as they both have the same abilities. It is possible to switch between two adventurers to speed up play a little, but it's so complicated that most of the time Louie just tags along.

Olimar and Louie can’t do much on their own, and in fact their only real ability is controlling the pikmin they find on the planet. Pikmin are small, dime-sized intelligent plants -- well, they're not that intelligent, in fact at times they’re frustratingly dumb, but they're good at taking orders. By throwing pikmin or ordering them in a general direction you remove obstacles, solve puzzles, battle enemies, and collect treasures. Pikmin 2 ends up playing like a real-time-strategy puzzle game, and the goal is to explore the planet and collect enough treasure to get your company out of debt.

Improvements from the earlier game are numerous. No longer is there a 30-day time limit; there’s still a limited amount of time in each day (pikmin predators are nocturnal), but Pikmin 2 is a procrastinator’s dream -- if you don't accomplish everything you planned before the time runs out there’s always tomorrow. There are three new types of pikmin in addition to the three from the first game, and the individual abilities of each will be needed throughout the game to defeat enemies and recover treasures. Underground areas have been added that make up a large part of the game, where time is not a factor, each floor has its own puzzle to solve, and a boss waits at the end of the dungeon. The pacing is perhaps the best feature of the game; it's not terribly long, but it progresses so well that there's always some objective you're working toward, with little 'downtime' between goals.

Pikmin 2 will not win any awards for graphics, but that's because they're done so well you don't even notice them. The graphics are so good they're simply transparent; there's nothing that will wow you, but the flawless handling of, for example, water effects and character animation is impressive. The sound is similar; there is a soundtrack with situational music, but it's done so well and transitions are so smooth that it's hard to notice. Olimar, Louie, and the pikmin themselves make sounds that vary from cute to annoying. Some players may take umbrage to the fact that there is no voiceover, though thankfully for them there's little reading as well.

Pikmin 2 also adds a 2-player mode, which is very fun if you can manage to find anyone else who plays the game. There are several different scenarios and some randomization keeps things interesting, so there’s reason to come back for more. While it's a nice addition, allowing up to four players would be nice, as well as a cooperative mode for the main game.

The style is one of the main draws of the game. Not only is it a unique concept and execution, but there’s plenty of humor as well. As you collect treasures, your ship’s computer will name these strange artifacts. A tin of Kiwi shoe wax is an “alien billboard”. A marble is a “telekinesis crystal”. Each item has a description, some of them hilarious, and each monster is ‘classified’ and described by the intrepid explorers. This, combined with the fact that all of the violence is cartoon-like, makes it enjoyable and appropriate for children and adults.

Pikmin 2 is one of those games, along with a host of others released around the same time, which will be completely ignored while people play through the several ultra-popular, mainstream games released in late 2004. Hopefully it will later be rediscovered as an excellent strategy game with unique design and get the attention it deserves. If you're looking for another Gamecube title to keep you busy for a while, don't overlook it.