Destined for a crash landing on the doomed Wii U, Pikmin 3 futilely attempted to make the series more approachable with a cinematic, family friendly presentation during the main campaign. Sent on a return mission to the Switch, drastic changes within the fruit-filled quest may leave many seasoned fans feeling famished as the citizens of Planet Koppai. Fortunately, a bountiful crop of challenging side content will keep those same ripened Pikmin players engaged in a rabid fructose frenzy.
No longer a Hocotatian merely trying to save your company or your own hide, now three members of the Koppaite race come crashing down to harvest the planet's fruits and seed for the starving populace back home. Pikmin 2's controversial multi-floor cave system has been removed, though each world still tucks away a couple creepy caverns. Vital during the dozens of side missions, the ability to assign 3 different captains destination points with Pikmin in tow is a tremendously powerful delegation ability. With two additional Pikmin types, you'll experience the satisfaction of smashing glass with the Rock Pikmin and witnessing Winged Pikmin leisurely transport cargo like tiny helicopters. Habitually devouring vital equipment or personnel, dramatic boss fights propel the story beats forward. Simply hauling their giant, grotesque corpses to your base feels like a tangible conclusion to the chapter.
Other changes aren't so well received. Appetizing as the dozens of fruits appear, plucking produce doesn't compare to the novelty of more varied treasure. Tasked with hunting and gathering across hostile, beautiful ecosystems under dire circumstances, the overbearing dialogue often interrupts immersion and imagination. The worlds are gorgeous and larger than previous games, but many sections feel more cloistered off; the game's ultimate drawback.
Drawing on 7 years of hindsight, a host of improvements were made. A higher difficulty level with a limited juice supply, tougher enemies and 60 Pikmin limit brings needed tension to the story mode. Some of Louie and Olimar's Deluxe exclusive stages feature the most sophisticated puzzles of the entire series. Besides the requested return of the Piklopedia bestiary and DLC added to the base game, there's dozens of minor changes from increased texture variety to control tweaks. I miss utilizing the Wii U tablet in conjunction with the TV, but Deluxe is far superior overall.
Even with mere minor graphical upgrades over the Wii U, the glistening creatures and rich environments aren't far behind Pikmin 4. Several additional composers join Wakai and Kondo, though little besides the haunting and inquisitive 'Tropical Wilds' and 'Phosbat Cave' sound memorable as earlier titles. Additional, livelier music for the new Louie and Olimar missions is appreciated.
Long time fans may prefer the more disturbing atmosphere, omnipresent moral conundrums and autonomy found in earlier entries. Still, the basketful of highly replayable bonus stages is peak Pikmin; presenting the most nuanced decision making yet. With both 3 Deluxe and 4 being the best selling games in this drought stricken series, just like the formerly destitute Koppaites, us emaciated Pikmin fans shall soon be eating better.
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