Pikmin 2...Disappointment

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Bondo - 22 Sep 2004 17:46 GMT

I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really enjoyed
Pikmin but was annoyed greatly by the time limit. There was enough talk
about that being removed in the sequel that I was hopeful. As it turns out,
the time limit is still in place (an still really annoying.) The only place
the time limit isn't in place is underground. So basically, they didn't
really fix it.

Second, is it just me or are ordinary enemies capable of way too much
damage. Even many of the small guys manage to eat one of two pikmin and many
of the larger enemies that you find around (respawning each day) can do
10-20 damage. Considering you only have 100 and it takes a decent bit of
effort to sprout 20 new pikmin (especially white and purple) this makes
things quite difficult.

The puzzles do not seem as interesting this time around really...I guess
many of my complaints were true about the first game but it was more
innovative and thus scored higher with the same problems. Generally I just
think they completely dropped the ball, something two player and challenge
mode don't fix.

Whereas the first one was about an 8.5, the sequel is a 7.5 for me. It is
really a shame since it is a great idea that still hasn't be utilized. I
think it should be more about puzzle-solving and exploration than combat and
time management.

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Mike Tyndall - 22 Sep 2004 18:18 GMT

> I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really enjoyed
> Pikmin but was annoyed greatly by the time limit. There was enough talk
> about that being removed in the sequel that I was hopeful. As it turns out,
> the time limit is still in place (an still really annoying.) The only place
> the time limit isn't in place is underground. So basically, they didn't
> really fix it.

I think they were referring to the 30-day time limit and not the daily time
limit. I suppose they couldn't really think of a way to get rid of the
daily one without destroying the gameplay. And they couldn't add in too
many puzzles or they might lose some of their audience. Maybe Pikmin 3...?

> Second, is it just me or are ordinary enemies capable of way too much
> damage. Even many of the small guys manage to eat one of two pikmin and many
> of the larger enemies that you find around (respawning each day) can do
> 10-20 damage. Considering you only have 100 and it takes a decent bit of
> effort to sprout 20 new pikmin (especially white and purple) this makes
> things quite difficult.

One of my brothers fights everything except the bosses as Olimar. He just
runs up to the enemy, runs around them, and keeps punching. Then he has the
Pikmin carry the stuff left behind. Boring, but easy.

Some of the bosses are a bit unfair though.

> The puzzles do not seem as interesting this time around really...I guess
> many of my complaints were true about the first game but it was more
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> think it should be more about puzzle-solving and exploration than combat and
> time management.

I agree with you here about switching focus to puzzles/exploration, although
I think they should keep the combat (at reasonable amounts) and try to
retain some of the time management.

I'd probably put it roughly around the same score as the first game. There
are definitely some problems, though. For example, I felt that the
ground-level areas had too little combat, and that the caves had too much.

And the yellow Pikmin don't get bomb-rocks anymore! I can understand why
they did this, though; it's faster to beat down a wall than to bomb one.

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//mike tyndall
C++ programmer and game designer (not professionally)
See my 329-game collection:
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Adnan - 23 Sep 2004 03:22 GMT

> > I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really
> enjoyed
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> daily one without destroying the gameplay. And they couldn't add in too
> many puzzles or they might lose some of their audience. Maybe Pikmin 3...?

[snip]

I haven't played it yet but I plan to. About the daily time limit, is it
as short as it was in the first game (10mn I believe)?

Adnan

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Mike Tyndall - 23 Sep 2004 02:40 GMT

> > > I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really
> > enjoyed
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> I haven't played it yet but I plan to. About the daily time limit, is it
> as short as it was in the first game (10mn I believe)?

I think it's the same when you're above ground. When you go into a cave,
time stops until you get out.
--
//mike tyndall
C++ programmer and game designer (not professionally)
See my 329-game collection:
http://users.ign.com/collection/MikeTyndall

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James Lippingwell - 22 Sep 2004 19:49 GMT

>I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really enjoyed
> Pikmin but was annoyed greatly by the time limit. There was enough talk
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> the time limit isn't in place is underground. So basically, they didn't
> really fix it.

I kinda miss the time limit. Any sense of urgency is gone. I feel no need
to push hard and risk pikmin just to get more done in a day :/

At the same time, it's nice that the game is so long and you can just take
the time to explore.

> Second, is it just me or are ordinary enemies capable of way too much
> damage. Even many of the small guys manage to eat one of two pikmin and
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> effort to sprout 20 new pikmin (especially white and purple) this makes
> things quite difficult.

Have you tried reading any FAQs or anything? When you figure out how to
kill each creature easily you should hardly lose any pikmin until you
encounter something unknown.

Why bring white pikmin into a fight?

Are you using the C stick to throw pikmin faster?

> The puzzles do not seem as interesting this time around really...I guess
> many of my complaints were true about the first game but it was more
> innovative and thus scored higher with the same problems. Generally I just
> think they completely dropped the ball, something two player and challenge
> mode don't fix.

For me, the first 5 - 6 hours were a little uninteresting. Too many of the
same old bad guys and basic puzzles. But after that I found it got a lot
more interesting and challenging, and now I'm hooked and having much more
fun than I did with the first game (which was long over by now).

> Whereas the first one was about an 8.5, the sequel is a 7.5 for me. It is
> really a shame since it is a great idea that still hasn't be utilized. I
> think it should be more about puzzle-solving and exploration than combat
> and
> time management.

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BlahBlah - 22 Sep 2004 22:35 GMT

> I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really enjoyed
> Pikmin but was annoyed greatly by the time limit. There was enough talk
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> think it should be more about puzzle-solving and exploration than combat and
> time management.

Get an "Action Reply" cheat cartridge and use whichever cheats you want to
fix what you don't like...

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Bondo - 22 Sep 2004 23:57 GMT

> Get an "Action Reply" cheat cartridge and use whichever cheats you want to
> fix what you don't like...

If I cared enough I might like I did for GT3 and GTA3 for PS2 with my
Gameshark...but I don't, I can give up on the game just as well because
unlike those games, this one doesn't offer much once you take some of these
things away. Though I never will lessen a criticism for something I don't
like just because I can gameshark it away.

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Michael J. Sherman - 23 Sep 2004 14:10 GMT

The time limit is a crucial part of the gameplay! If you take that
out, the game is just another run-around-finding-stuff game with no
point.

The original Pikmin was awesome because you actuall had to use problem
solving skills (no, say it ain't so!). You had to manage your time
and figure out the best order in which to collect things. That's the
point of the game!

If you find it "annoying" maybe this type of game isn't for you. Maybe
you just don't like having to think while you're playing games... I
don't know, but I thought the time constraint was the best part of the
gameplay.

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Bondo - 23 Sep 2004 15:45 GMT

>> I don't know how many others are playing Pikmin 2 of late. I really enjoyed
>> Pikmin but was annoyed greatly by the time limit. There was enough talk
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> don't know, but I thought the time constraint was the best part of the
> gameplay.

Maybe the problem is that like The Sims, the length of a day isn't
appropriate for needing to get done what you need to get done. It takes a
half day to carry a treasure back to the ship if it is far enough out...and
that doesn't account for getting to the treasure. I mean...now they give me
unlimited days, so I can just get things done over 2 days that I might
during one...but that is just annoying and doesn't really aid strategy all
that much.

But it is bullshit that you claim I don't like having to think while I'm
playing games. Having a time limit doesn't really make you think more, it
just makes you pressed for time. I've actually done some testing that shows
despite my exceptional ability to think, time pressures can often be a
problem...I don't like many games that make me rush. Doesn't mean I don't
want to think.

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