E3: Pikmin 2 Multiplayer Impressions
5/15/2003 at 4:47 AM
Joe and Katy test out the multiplayer features of Pikmin 2.
Both Katy and I are big fans of the original Pikmin, so we were naturally very excited to discover that the sequel would allow two players to play cooperatively. We haven’t touched the single player mode yet, but we spent a long while with the multiplayer aspect of the demo. As previously mentioned, the gameplay is cooperative. Captain Olimar and his bumbling assistant search the planet for treasure, with the help of the Pikmin.
In two player games, the screen splits and each player takes control over one of the spacemen. The Pikmin are shared; idle Pikmin can be commanded by either player, but Pikmin already following someone cannot be switched. The two player game begins with a set number of Pikmin, and there doesn’t appear to be a way to gather more. Gathering treasure merely earns points, not new Pikmin. Towards the end of the demo, battles became rather difficult, as we had very few Pikmin left to fight.
The good Captain and his friend have gained some abilities. By spraying a purple gas, they can immobilize most enemies for a short while. They can also spray a red gas, on their Pikmin, to power them up. These gases have a limited number of uses, of course, and there doesn’t appear to be a way to gain more.
The actual Pikmin gameplay, at least in the multiplayer segment, seemed to lack the puzzles found in the first game. The only real puzzles we encountered in the demo involved how to defeat the monsters. The bulk of the demo was spent either hauling loot back to the spaceship or battling. It was certainly fun, and required both players to communicate and work together. Hopefully, though, later levels will bring back the puzzle aspect of the game.
Visually, Pikmin 2’s multiplayer modes are a tad bland. The two levels we played had the same basic texture set, which isn’t even that exciting. Each area was basically just a big dirt maze. It was hard to tell one area of the level from another. On the plus side, seeing the action on screen was easy, despite the split screen.
Pikmin 2 has lots of potential, and hopefully the single player gameplay will be longer and more challenging than the original’s. It appears as though the multiplayer modes, while fun, won’t be enough to carry the game if the single player is dull. Stay tuned to GWX for impressions of the main game.
Article by Joe Mackie, GamingWorld X
Source: E3
| Our Comments | Joe Mackie: None. |
What do you think? Share your thoughts in our forums.
|
