Pikmin 2

The Good
Pikmin. What a unique game. You hardly ever see games that make you think "I've never seen anything like this before" and actually like it. The only thing rarer than that is it having a sequel that's makes the grade A game look like a failure. Well... you're looking at that 1 in a million game. This... is Pikmin 2.

Never before have I seen such a sequel pull off topping the original in almost every way. The only other game I can think of that does this is Kingdom Hearts 2 (and maybe Mario 3, but thats a third game, not a second).

The story picks off where the first left off: Olimar setting off to his home. Unfortunately, in his absence, his company has gone bankrupt and must sell it's one and only asset left, Olimar's Dolphin spaceship. Crushed by this news and repossession of his ship he worked so hard to fix, Olimar drops his present for his son, a bottle cap, and the company's other talking ship, to he, Louie's, and the President's surprise, collects it, finding it's worth more than a average paycheck. Realizing that there is more of this "treasure" on the strange planet Olimar escaped from, the president sends he and Louie, the other company worker, back to that planet, ready to put an emphasis on "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

The gameplay is truly marvelous. I can find almost no flaws with it what so ever. For every problem I had with the first, was fixed to the fullest degree in this sequel. Trouble multitasking, gone. Whistle problems, gone. Combat problems, gone. Every problem and annoyance one could think of, gone! I actually have fun scavenging a level for everything it's worth. There will be almost no time in the game where you will get bored. And if you do, that shall be remedied shortly.

I love a lot of the answers to the problems in this game, but my absolute favorite is...no day limit. You can spend as many days as your heart desires wandering through the beautiful landscape, or fighting vicious monsters that stand in you path.

The music, just like the first's, is very well done and sounds like music that would be good in a Pixar film of this. Come to think of it, the entire idea of Pikmin as a whole seems Pixar-esqe. Anyway, the music has an innocent "walk in the park" feel to it, and really fits the theme of the entire game in my eyes. In fact, as the game's final resolution comes in "the forth area" (sorry, no spoilers), the music begins to have a tone of "Alright, I got this far. I'm not giving in until it's done!".

The graphics are quite good. They give you a real experience of what really goes on in those cracks we look through, or that colony of ants that seems to wander aimlessly around. They also really give the effect of what season it represents. For instance, in the Spring area, a very distinct glare from the bright sun is visible. Or in Winter's location, snow can be seen falling from the ground and even on top of things.

Unfortunately, for every hundred angels, there is always a demon in the midst of it all...

The Bad
...however, these demons are about as small as the Pikmin themselves.

I kind of miss the motion blur effect when you move the camera. It gave a nice effect. Speaking of the camera, problems with that still remain, what with awkward angles and just plain frustrations.

It can be hard at times to manage Pikmin, seeing as they can get stuck behind things.

I also miss the previous challenge mode.

Well...that's all of the bad things I can think about...

The Bottom Line
Overall, this game is immersive, well made, and a must buy for the GameCube. If you liked the first one, or didn't like it, buy this game. You will regret not buying it. In my opinion, it is of the best sequels of all time.

The Good
Pikmin 2 is a great example of how games can improve on their sequel, add multiplayer mode, which does seem to work with this title and the introduction of caves is another good idea. Caves are dark, dingy and full of hideous monsters that want to kill you. Where as the surface is light, colorful and full of hideous monsters that want to kill you.

The Bad
What the game lacks is an in depth story. Most of the game you find yourself finding treasure, taking it back to the ship, find some more, do the same. Over and over again so it came drive you to the point of insanity.

The Bottom Line
Cannon fodder with flower headed gnomes.