Over the past few days we have had the opportunity to try it first hand Pikmin Bloom, the new application of Niantic applying the mechanics in style Pokémon GO to the Pikmin franchise, allowing us to give a decidedly unusual twist to our walks. Despite the similarities, Pikmin Bloom is quite different from his older sister, let’s find out why.
Pikmin Bloom: Walk to farm them all
Once our virtual alter ego is created, which is none other than a THOUSAND Fully customizable Nintendo, the game immediately introduces us to our Pikmin, strange plant-like creatures, which we will have to grow in special planters before we can add them to our team. The procedure is very simple: it is enough to perform a certain number of steps to allow the Pikmin to develop.
Already from here you can see the differences with Pokémon GO, given that in Pikmin Bloom for now the focus is almost entirely centered on walking, with relatively few side activities. In fact, to level up it will be enough to make a total of steps and cultivate a predefined number of Pikmin. It is not surprising in this regard to find a summary of the day, which the game offers in the evening, in which it is even possible to attach a souvenir photo of what was seen during the walk.
In short, the first impact with Pikmin Bloom gave us the idea that it was a pedometer after going through an elegant process of gamification, and indeed it is exactly like that. The playful sector in the strict sense of Pikmin Bloom is in fact deliberately minimal.
Walk around and plant flowers
As we said, Pikmin Bloom’s gameplay is configured as extremely minimal. In fact, during our walks the Pikmin will be able to collect various items to give them to us, which can range from plants to cultivate to enrich our team, up to pollen, useful for nourishing the Pikmin that have already reached maturity.
This nectar causes petals to grow on Pikmin, which once collected can be planted on the game map. By selecting these petals it is possible to enter the flower plant mode, useful for making the seedlings grow faster and for blooming megaflowers, the points of interest of the game that take the place of the gyms present in Pokémon GO. Walking in this mode we will also leave a literal trail of small flowers around us, which will then remain visible on the map for a few days.
The AR mode for now is limited to photos, while one of the most interesting playful components of Pikmin Bloom are the shipments, which are unlocked by leveling up. This option will allow the Pikmin to go in search of objects and fruits in the areas we have previously visited: the greater our bond with the sent Pikmin, the better the reward he will bring us on his return.
Collectors from this point of view will not be disappointed, as there are unique Pikmin, with themed accessories, obtainable only in this way. Lastly, from level 15 then it is possible to participate in challenges, in which the 5 strongest Pikmin of our team will be able to test themselves by shooting down a giant mushroom, to obtain fruits and rare items.
In conclusion
To everything we have listed so far, we must add the fact that a large part of these activities can be automated and carried out in the background with the application closed, which leads us to the realization of a fundamental fact. Pikmin Bloom does not want to compete with the other Niantic apps, but it does want to be an option that completes the offer.
The game is ideal to keep in the background most of the time, perhaps while actively playing Pokémon GO, then log in from time to time to check out the progress of the Pikmin. That said, it should be noted, however, that at the moment the playful sector of the game is repetitive and tending to fatigue over the long term, so it will be better evaluated later, when Niantic will introduce new game modes.