Pikmin 2 is the sequel to the widely-loved 2001 Nintendo GameCube game Pikmin. Building on an already strong base, Pikmin 2 leads you through the extended story of Capitan Olimar and Louie, his faithful assistant.
The single player story mode begins just after Captain Olimar returns from his expedition in the 2001 original. He returns to his home planet to find that his company has incurred a debt of 10,000 pokos (the local currency) and needs Olimar to recover his debt. To help pay off this monster loan, Olimar returns to Earth to collect material goods to sell on his home planet.
Upon his arrival on Earth, Olimar encounters his old Pikmin friends. The red Pikmin, who are exceptional fighters in addition to being heat resistant, are already waiting for Olimar on the planet, and the yellow and blue Pikmin, who each carry their own special skills, are available after some exploration.
The sequel builds on the already excellent original. Pikmin 2 adds two new colors with unique skills: white Pikmin, who are adaptive to poisonous situations, and purple Pikmin, who are ten times stronger and ten times heavier than their red brothers.
The great thing about the sequel is that, opposed to the original, there is no 30 day limit within the game to complete your tasks. You are free to go at your own pace, although your actions are still limited to between sunrise and sunset.
In addition to the two new colors, Pikmin 2 adds a new dimension to the gameplay: underground adventure. In each of the stages, there are holes to the underground, where time virtually stops, giving you a chance to carefully plan a strategy to gather the treasures. Each sub-level provides its own difficulties, and many times you have to plan well in advance before you start the cave.
There are also new puzzles incorporated into the new game. The second character, Louie provides a great means for multi-tasking, and keeps Olimar from having to frantically run across the map.
The last new thing that Pikmin 2 incorporates into the game is potions—made from berries—that can be used to enhance the powers of the Pikmin in your party.
The control in the game is basically the same as the original, which is great for gamers that have played the original. For those who have not, the controls are easy to learn, and the characters can be maneuvered around the map with ease.
Overall, the game is a great addition to any GameCube collection. The game sells now for $49.99, and its younger brother original is a “Players Choice” game, which retails for $19.99. The game is an excellent sequel, garnering the rating of 4.5 of 5.
