Summary
In a departure from series tradition,Pikmin 4boasts a whopping seven named principal characters, not counting the player. These spacefarers make up the Rescue Corps, an ill-fated organization on a mission to save franchise mainstay Captain Olimar from PNF-404. Even beyond this gang, there are countless more castaways to discover on your travels.
Related:Pikmin 4: The Best Castaways
While it could be argued that this bustling cast offsets some of the more isolated, exploratory tones the series is known for, with characters as uniquely designed and charismatic as these, it’s tough to be bothered by the tone shift. Which members of the Corps are the best, though? Let’s delve into the roster and find out.
7Dingo
Gruff and tough, Dingo is the Rescue Corps' ranger, specializing in solo missions and difficult expeditions. When you first meet him, he’s all bluff and bluster and is none too impressed with your character, belittling your achievements and assigning you quest after quest designed to test your mettle. More than ten of these quests deep, and his apathy doesn’t relent – this animosity has earned him the bottom spot, especially since even after completing his final task, the best he can muster is a “you’re alright, I guess.”
He’s not all mean, though. If youfail a Dandori challengeor night stage badly enough or too many times, he’ll offer up his services. With a quick cut to black and some Hanna-Barbera sound effects, it’s done, and you may progress the story. If you want a gold medal, however, you’ll need to refine your skills and beat it on your lonesome.
6Bernard
Poor Bernard. Talk about your victims of circumstance. The only Rescue Corps member to be found as a Leafling, once recovered and cured, he soon discovers he doesn’t really have a ton to do. That’s because he’s rescued in the penultimate story stage - meaning that most of the game is over by the time he rejoins the team - and his sole task, flying the ship, had been handled quite admirably by the others in his absence. You can practically feel his frustration when the S.S. Shepherd finally leaves the planet, only to be told to turn around again.
It’s a shame since, based on the brief moments we do get to interact with him, he’s perfectly pleasant. Rocking some cool shades and a supportive demeanor, one can only hope he’ll get time to shine in a DLC campaign down the line.
5Russ
Well, somebody’s got to run the shop. Looking like he’s just stumbled out of an E. Gadd cosplay convention, the team scientist Russ will whip up all manner of gadgetry and performance-enhancing items to aid your adventure. Drones for aerial camera views? You got it. Bones to heal Oatchi? You bet. Elemental resistance packs? Speedier shoes? Defensive armour? Check, check, and check.
Related:Pikmin 4 Raw Material Farming Guide
Russ' inventory is ever-evolving and expanding over the course of the game, meaning you’ll need to pop your nose in every so often if you want to make the most of his tinkering. Personality-wise, he’s a fast-talker andintricately knowledgeable of PNF-404’s dangers– just don’t ask him about vacuum cleaners.
4Yonny
Easily the most curious Rescue Corps member design-wise (resembling as he does a stitchpunk doll), Yonny is the team doctor and indispensable given the curious affliction befalling many of PNF-404’s castaways. They’ve become Leaflings, covered in foliage from head to toe; the only cure available is Glow Sap, which is harvestable at nighttime. Not being much of a fighter himself, Yonny sends you in his stead to do battle with all the things that go bump in the dark.
As the facilitator of the night expedition mode, Yonny’s arrival adds a dash of variety to the traditional Pikmin formula. While typically you’d play on the offensive, suddenly, the game becomes a tower-defense mode as you enlist hordes of Glow Pikmin to protect Glow Sap sources. Ultimately, Yonny’s true to his word and manufactures the medicine needed to get the other fellows back on their feet.
3Collin
Collin’s a cheery fellow. And as one of the sole remaining Rescue Corps members, when you first embark on your quest, you’ll spend a lot of time with him. He’s always one of the first guys on the radio to offer you live tips during gameplay – and to urge you to beat a hasty retreat when it appears you’re getting your minuscule butt handed to you. Think of him as a tutorial character, albeit one that doesn’t go away for the entire game.
Related:Pikmin 4: Things Only Longtime Players Noticed
Collin has a somewhat prickly but essential relationship with Captain Shepherd and the others, as his eternal level-headedness causes him to talk them down from the more outlandish ideas that enter their heads. Pragmatic, practical, and with an undying love for machinery, he’s a pal who’ll always be by your side – whether you want him there or not.
2Erma Shepherd
The latest in a long (long, long) line of captains, Erma Shepherd is doggedly determined to uphold her family spirit. A capable leader, she initially seems like nothing more than the clichéd commanding officer archetype who barks orders. It isn’t long, however, before she reveals hidden depths. That family lineage is more of a burden on her than she lets on, and we see in her log entries that she often questions her suitability for the position.
Fortunately, she loosens up over time. Her love of dogs causes her to bond deeply with Oatchi (to the point where she’s jealous of your character’s innate connection with him), and she saves the team’s collective skins on more than one occasion. By the game’s end, Erma has developed into her own character, no longer defined by her past, while still respecting those who came before.
1Oatchi
There’s no way to dress it up: faithful pooch Oatchi is a joy and a revelation gameplay-wise that upends the Pikmin formula in some fantastic ways. Of course, we ought to get the obvious out of the way first – he’s adorable, a bipedal pup with ears the size of dinner plates and a heart just as big to match. Throughout the entirety of the game, he’s your constant companion, and you can either ride him or send him off to fetch stuff solo.
What really puts Oatchi at the top, though, is the element of strategy he adds. Do you use him as a flotation device to get non-aquatic Pikmin over to treasure, or would he be better served at the other end of the map digging up that gigantic yam? Moreover, do you trust his (fairly impressive) AI not to get toasted bythat Firey Blowhog? These are all decisions you’ll need to make in Pikmin 4; while 2 and 3 toyed with the idea of fully-fledged partners, Oatchi finally realizes the concept. Good boy!
