The Nintendo Switch’s next big release is a few days away, and The Big N hopes their next title is as much a hit as others that have released this year. They’ve been doing videos, developer interviews, and gameplay previews/demos so that everyone can get their hands on the title and hopefully change the perception of the series. The good news is that the review embargo for Pikmin 4 lifted today, and the reviews that have come out were extremely positive. The bad news is that the game has a ROM on the internet right now, so you’ll need to beware of spoilers.
The leak was confirmed by Nintendo Everything, who noted that this is just the latest in a long line of leaks with Switch titles. It’s true that this won’t “drastically affect” the sales for the game, but it is annoying, and it could lead to key details about the game’s later stages being talked about before they should be. These kinds of leaks are unfair to gamers who simply want to enjoy the title without anything getting spoiled for them.
The good news is that they’ll likely have a wonderful time if they can avoid the leaks. As noted, the review embargo for Pikmin 4 is up, and its early scoring is very promising. As of this writing, 65 reviews have gone live on Metacritic, and the game’s score is currently 88.
As with reviews of this nature, that score could go up or down based on the reviews added later. However, these reviews paint a similar picture of the title’s quality, and considering that 63 of those 65 reviews were in the “positive” column, that should speak volumes. But what are they saying about the game?
The biggest praise was for the gameplay. They loved the “easy to learn, hard to master” style and adored how many collectibles you could find in the title. Many loved the “Dandori Battles” and how Oatchi was used. One review noted that this was their first time in the franchise, yet they felt engrossed by everything they were seeing or experiencing.
As for its flaws, not everyone was a fan of its story, as it moved along at a “slow pace.” Also, some sections may overwhelm those who haven’t mastered the gameplay style yet.
But even with these flaws, it’s clear Pikmin 4 is a worthy entry for veterans and newcomers alike. So you’ll likely want to try it out when it releases on the 21st.
