Pikmin 5

Pikmin 5 is an upcoming Real-Time Strategy game for the Nintendo Switch, it is the fifth entry in the Pikmin series and follows on from Pikmin 4. Like the prior entries, the game takes place on the mysterious planet of PNF-404 where the player controls characters to find treasures with the help of the native vegetable-like creatures of the planet known as Pikmin.
==Plot Synopsis==
After an unspecified amount of time since the events of Pikmin 4, the Koppaites having conducted several expeditions to PNF-404 decide to establish a colony on the planet, using their prior experience as a foundation. The game focuses on two primary leaders, Eliane and Bade who act as the colony's expeditionary leaders, establishing and building a network to maintain the colony. Eliane is the dayshift leader and Bade is the nightshift leader.
Along the way, the duo ends up encountering a variety of native wildlife that can pose a threat to the small Koppaites, and like their predecessors before them must rely on the native Pikmin to help use numbers and strategies to overcome their obstacles, expanding their colony's territory and gaining access to useful resources.
==Gameplay==
Much like prior Pikmin games, Pikmin 5 is focused on the management of the player's resources primarily through the eponymous Pikmin creatures. The player will initially discover Onions which serve as the home for the Pikmin, the player needs to gather resources to provide to the Onions in order to create more Pikmin, resources come in the form of various plant matter as well as defeated enemies.
As the player discovers more onions, they'll merge together, making the Master Onion more varied in appearance and coloration. Controlling the Pikmin is fairly straightforward, they will instinctively follow the player and can be whistled which if done so with the leader inside the Whistle's radius will cause them to huddle around the player tightly allowing for easy traversal of hazardous environments. The player can also whistle away from their leader to instruct the Pikmin to target anything within the whistle's radius. Pikmin can also be picked up and thrown allowing for access to objects that are high above or to cross over small gaps in the landscape as well as getting on top of large enemies.
Pikmin will latch onto enemies when attacking and deal damage, chipping away at the enemy's health. The enemy will often attempt to knock the Pikmin off and eat them. When a Pikmin gets knocked off it will remain still and become pale in appearance indicating that it has become inactive. This inactive state also occurs when a Pikmin completes an instruction such as carrying food back to the Master Onion. Sometimes a powerful enemy will knock a Pikmin off causing it to become lodged into the ground, similar to the state of being a Pikmin is in when it sprouts from the Onion. The leader must pluck the Pikmin from the ground or run the risk of them being eaten by the enemies.
The environment itself can also pose a danger with various hazards such as heat and cold, electricity, water, and noxious gases posing a danger to the Pikmin. Certain Pikmin has immunity to these hazards so it is advised the player plan ahead and bring the appropriate Pikmin to handle the situation. Sometimes obstacles in the environment require the player to interact with them to progress such as pushing heavy objects, activating machines, or forming structures to help get across. In these cases Pikmin needs to be used which is indicated by a number that appears when a Pikmin starts interacting with the object, when the number of Pikmin interacting with that object reaches the required amount then the effect will be completed. 
Throughout the game the player's goal is to expand the colony's base, reaching special resources to help them develop further. This new feature of Pikmin 5 differentiates itself from prior entries as the player's progress through the game is semi non-linear with the player able to choose where they want to progress to and unlocking certain upgrades which can give them an edge.
===Night Shift===
While the Day Shift gameplay is largely the same as prior Pikmin games, the Night Shift offers a whole new challenge for players as they take control of Bade and must contend with the added dangers present. Night-time gameplay was initially seen in Pikmin 4 although has been expanded. During the night shift, enemies pose a much greater danger and are more active, certain actions not possible during the day shift can be done in the night shift such as changes in the landscape giving access to new areas, certain plants and fungi behavior changing and access to Dungeons.
As with Pikmin 4, during the night shift, enemies can become more aggressive known as Lunar Fever which makes them more alert to the player and Pikmin as well as more aggressive when being attacked, often being able to quickly take out the player's Pikmin if they're not careful and stealthy. It is often advised to simply avoid enemies during the Night Shift as the potential cost of Pikmin can outweigh the benefits. Although enemies can be challenging, periodically they will drop what is known as Lunar Tears while in this fevered state, these can be returned to the colony for significant rewards.
===Dungeons===
Dungeons make their return from Pikmin 2 and 4 once again, this time being exclusive to the Night Shift where they can pose a significant danger. Unlike Pikmin 2 however, the dungeons have set layouts which while can vary between playthroughs are comprised of a small set of handcrafted layouts, this allows for more complex puzzles while still maintaining an element of randomness to them.
In addition unlike prior dungeons, the dungeons in Pikmin 5 feature a seamless layout where floors above and below can be viewed through holes between them. Light from the surface also filters in which can cause the already more dangerous creatures of the dungeons to enter Lunar Fever. A boss is often located at the very bottom of a dungeon guarding special treasures which can often be critical towards progression for the player. The player may also find plants that can provide the player with additional Pikmin which are useful for that dungeon.
Although time doesn't pass while inside a dungeon, there is a danger to spending too much time in a dungeon, a creature known as the Wall Lurker, a massive being that will spit the player out of the dungeon if they spend too long in the dungeon and will kill off all their Pikmin. The player is given several warnings when a Wall Lurker is approaching and can avoid the creature for a short period of time when it starts attacking although will often lose their Pikmin in the process and due to the Wall Lurker's frequent attacks makes it effectively impossible to progress further for the player. The only exception to this is if the player engages the boss of the dungeon in which case the Wall Lurker will disappear allowing the player time to defeat the boss and collect the treasure in the Boss' arena before exiting.
Initially, in Dungeons the only way to extract treasures outside of the Boss' arena is to bring them back to the entrance hole for the dungeon. As the player progresses however they can have the colony build outposts and drones to collect the treasures making it easier to get the rarest treasures in a dungeon. In addition, dungeons can be retried as often as the player likes, although if the boss' reward is plot relevant then it will be changed to a more generic treasure.
==Characters==
Character	Description
Eliane 	The Dayshift Expedition Leader, Eliane is shown through her notes to be inquisitive and quite serious about her work in exploring PNF-404. Her notes are often more informational than emotive, especially in regard to the various Pikmin and creatures the player encounters. Personal logs of hers seem to suggest that she takes on a leadership role within the colony itself, often expressing her desire to improve life for the colonists and lead them into exploring PNF-404.
Bade 	The Nightshift Expedition Leader, Bade is portrayed as being much more laidback and carefree than his dayshift counterpart. His notes often dawdle off onto side topics usually about something relating to the subject of the note or the environment. He takes great joy in exploring the different environments of PNF-404 with his personal logs going into depth about the beauty of the landscape and the various plants and creatures found within it.
===Pikmin Species===
Pikmin Type 	Description
Red Pikmin 	Red Pikmin are the first variety of Pikmin the player comes across in their adventure, they're the most powerful Pikmin in combat and possess a unique immunity to fire. Although they're encountered early on, they are quite useful as they're needed throughout much of the game due to the ubiquity of their hazards. They're only available during the day shift of the gameplay and become Maroon Pikmin during the night shift.
Maroon Pikmin	Maroon Pikmin are the first Pikmin the player encounters during the night shift, they're initially mistaken for Red Pikmin although this is quickly corrected. They possess a fire resistance like their daytime counterparts but not full immunity. They're also somewhat weaker by comparison however possess a distinct luminous ability, allowing them to activate solar machines that are normally only active during the day and can temporarily stun an enemy in certain circumstances. They're the night shift equivalent of Red Pikmin.
Lime Pikmin 	Lime Pikmin are the second pair-type of Pikmin encountered in the game and are found fairly quickly after Red Pikmin. They're uniquely able to petrify themselves, which dramatically increases their mass making it possible for them to be used to weigh down certain objects and immune to enemy attacks while in this form although it does not make them immune to hazards and can still be lost as a result. They're the day shift equivalent of Silver Pikmin.
Silver Pikmin	Silver Pikmin are encountered in the night shift after unlocking Lime Pikmin. They share a number of similarities with the Ice Pikmin from Pikmin 4 being immune to ice-based hazards and being able to slide at high speeds for a quick directional attack. They do lack the ability to freeze water, however instead possess the ability to create snowballs that they roll in, the more of them there are, the larger the snowball which can be used to bowl over most enemies as well as deal with certain hazards and obstacles. They're the night shift equivalent of Lime Pikmin.
Orange Pikmin	Orange Pikmin are found during the night shift and can be the third, fourth, or fifth Pikmin type unlocked. They are the first night shift Pikmin unlocked before their day shift counterparts and possess sharp claws which they can use for increased damage which can build up over time against enemies. In addition, they can cling to and climb dirt walls, bypassing certain obstacles even when their numbers are low and carrying Bale over said obstacles. Their hardened bodies also make them the most durable Pikmin as they are immune to being re-planted like other Pikmin from enemy attacks. They're the night shift equivalent of Yellow Pikmin.
Yellow Pikmin	Yellow Pikmin can be found in the day shift after unlocking Orange Pikmin during the night prior. Their returning traits from prior games such as an increased throw height, electrical immunity, and faster digging speed return. A new feature this Pikmin possesses is their ability to hold a charge after interacting with electrical objects which can be dealt to enemies dealing considerable damage in a single burst. They're the day shift equivalent of Orange Pikmin.
Azure Pikmin 	Azure Pikmin can be acquired during the night shift and are the third, fourth, or fifth Pikmin pair-type unlocked. They possess the ability to manifest bubbles from their mouths which can merge together to create giant bubbles which can carry the player and Pikmin across chasms and bodies of water without the risk of falling or drowning and also can be caught in updrafts bringing the player and their Pikmin up to higher locations. Azure Pikmin also possess resistance to water, although unable to swim to the degree of Blue Pikmin they won't drown in water like other types. They are the night shift equivalent of Blue Pikmin.
Blue Pikmin 	Blue Pikmin are found in the day shift following acquiring Azure Pikmin. They're the most aquatically capable type of Pikmin in the game able to swim and dive, carrying objects across the water with no problem and dealing additional damage to aquatic enemies. They're also able to carry water on their bodies in the form of dew drops which can be used to clear out particular hazards and to deal ranged damage against enemies. They're the day shift equivalent of Azure Pikmin.
Rose Pikmin 	Rose Pikmin are the smallest Pikmin species encountered in Pikmin 5 and are available to be the third, fourth, or fifth Pikmin pair-type unlocked by the player during their exploration. Their small size allows them to easily access small crevices and openings, unlocking ways that would otherwise be impossible for the player to reach. They're also remarkably fast, and boast equal strength to regular Pikmin making them excellent for item retrieval. Because of their small size, they're also harder to detect for enemies and so can often more easily avoid being eaten. They're the day shift equivalent of Indigo Pikmin.
Indigo Pikmin	Indigo Pikmin are first encountered during the night shift after unlocking Rose Pikmin. Indigo Pikmin are capable of burrowing underground and are as fast as Yellow Pikmin when it comes to unearthing objects, however, they can also burrow under soft dirt and navigate it dealing with underground obstacles and even in some cases causing the ground to collapse opening up new passageways. They also possess the unique ability to turn invisible, making them nigh undetectable to enemies and even affect Bale if there are enough of them around. This can be especially useful when avoiding the most dangerous types of enemies and certain hazards. They are the night shift equivalent of Rose Pikmin.
Green Pikmin 	Green Pikmin are the last type unlocked in the game and are the only variety of Pikmin to appear in both day shift and night shift, being unlocked in the latter. Green Pikmin are primarily support Pikmin, they're uniquely able to revive fallen Pikmin as long as their spirit is still on screen, however, this does not work on other Green Pikmin. They also boast a remarkable fleeing speed compared to other Pikmin making them good at dodging enemies. Alongside their revival abilities, Green Pikmin can cause plants to grow, forming new pathways and dealing with certain obstacles as well as unlocking fruits and other items.
==Locations==
Pikmin 5 is quite unlike the prior entries in the series as unlike prior games where traversal was handled by the relevant spaceship of that game, Pikmin 5 instead takes place across one contiguous region. Although like prior games, this region is split into specific areas which are approximately equivalent to those seen in prior games, traversing from one area to another simply requires the player to cross the landscape. As such the game's map is laid out in a radial arrangement with a total of nine major areas.
===Area 1: New Koppai===
The starting location of the game and the colony's main base, New Koppai is unlike most areas as at its center is the large Colony building, a structure which grows and develops over the course of the game. The surrounding parts of this area are soft rolling hills of moss and dirt with a moat-like river flowing around the western part of the map, requiring Blue Pikmin to cross.
The player can enter New Koppai and visit their Leader's Room, the Acquisition Hall and the Research & Development Center. The Leader's Room is able to be customized and is shown to be shared by both Eliane and Bade whose rooms are found off the main room. The Acquisition Hall is a room where the player's gained wealth can be exchanged for various goods including nutrients to create specific types of Pikmin as well as temporary buffs and effects. The Research & Development Center is significant as it allows the player to invest their resources into building new structures which can help both leaders during their expeditions as well as being necessary towards the game's completion.
The player will unlock the Red Pikmin, Maroon Pikmin, and Green Pikmin in this area. The Red Pikmin are met during the introduction to the game and serve as the tutorial to teach the player basic functions. Maroon Pikmin are introduced during the first night shift, they're used to provide a tutorial on how the night shift functions and introduce the Master Onion after the Maroon Onion and Red Onion merge. The Green Pikmin are introduced after completing a substantial amount of the story and involve dealing with the Bulbmin invasion on the Colony, they're one of the last Pikmin introduced as a result.
===Area 2: Serene Garden===
Located to the east of New Koppai, the Serene Garden is a dense, flower-rich location with many similarities to a botanical garden with a gigantic archway serving as the centerpiece of the area. Due to its rich amount of vegetation, the player will easily be able to find Pellets to quickly develop their Pikmin population. The area is also home to numerous Bulborbs and Sheargrubs as well as Dustros.
Serene Garden's main puzzles focus on using large numbers of Pikmin and as such have some of the largest obstacles in the game. There are a number of artificial lights throughout that need to be turned on to force the Lumaroot plants to retract during the night shift requiring the player to make use of Maroon Pikmin. The player will also find a number of areas where the self-petrification ability of Lime Pikmin is needed to progress, especially with collapsible objects with a greater than 100 Pikmin value.
The player unlocks Lime Pikmin and Silver Pikmin in this area. The player will find the Lime Pikmin's onion located hanging atop a statue off to the side of the garden and once re-activated floats down to the land below.
===Area 3: Starry Beach===
Located to the north of New Koppai, Starry Beach is a tropical location with large grasses which obscure dangerous predators that lay in wait. The large sand dunes that the player and Pikmin must traverse to fully explore the area also hide secrets and change between the times of day. Water collects in small tide pools found throughout the area which are accessible with amphibious Pikmin.
Starry Beach has puzzles relating to water redirection, this is especially significant as the player can only open the way to the successive area, Sizzling Oasis during the night shift however needs to perform actions in the day shift prior to doing so. Red Pikmin are highly useful in this location as fire-based enemies and hazards are quite common alongside Blue Pikmin due to the large presence of water.
===Area 4: Timid Roots===
Located to the south of New Koppai, Timid Roots is a quiet and temperate forest with some pine-like qualities to the smaller plants that grow. Colossal (for the player character) trees form much of this area's geometry with passages through and around the wooded roots being necessary for progression. During the night shift, snow clusters in areas of the map making some areas accessible and others inaccessible, as well as hiding various secrets and dangers beneath the snow.
Although accessible early on, most Timid Roots puzzles are more so focused around the Silver Pikmin and Green Pikmin and as such it is encouraged to revisit the area after acquiring the latter as until they're acquired it's impossible to access the dungeons in Timid Roots. Said puzzles focus on ice manipulation during the night shift with slippery surfaces and snow walls which need to be taken out by Silver Pikmin, meanwhile, Green Pikmin need to encourage plants that have shriveled up in the snow to grow giving access to new locations.
==Enemies==
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===Bosses===
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==Colony Upgrades==
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===Resources===
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