Pikmin 4: A Soothing Game for a Turbulent Year

A decade ago, I penned an article for USgamer, hailing Pikmin 3 as the most impactful war game I'd ever played. The piece, now hosted on VG247, delves into the morally complex nature of military command, as the game puts you in charge of hundreds of obedient Pikmin, whose lives are in your hands. You're responsible for ordering them to attack and kill, sometimes unintentionally putting them in fatal situations, all while the game keeps a count of your casualties. This somber experience is intensified by the option to replay previous days, theoretically allowing you to save all your Pikmin, but in reality, making you confront the daunting task of accepting losses. In contrast, Pikmin 4 offers a more forgiving and welcoming experience. The addition of a rewind feature, the dog-like Oatchi, and various multiplayer modes, such as Dandori battles and nighttime tower-defense levels, all contribute to a less stressful and more adaptable gameplay experience. While these changes may have 'sanded the edges' off the game, I found that Pikmin 4's comforting nature was exactly what I needed in a year marked by turmoil and unrest.