Pikmin 3 (Nintendo; Wii U; rated everyone 10+)
The “3” in the title here refers to the fact that this is the third title in the series, but also the trinity that is a theme for this game. Three explorers from a doomed world have crash landed on a planet that they hope will provide salvation.
Alph, Brittany, and Charlie find themselves scattered on the surface of the strange place where they meet Pikmin, little creatures with stalks on their heads that flock and can be controlled by the three explorers. The Pikmin live in tripod “onions” that can fly into space at night, when the nasty creatures on the planet come out.
There are three types of Pikmin, and each has a slightly different benefit. But they can all be used to break down obstacles, construct objects, and fight enemies. Your Pikmin will occasionally perish in battle, but you can create new ones by planting certain seeds which grow into the creatures.
They can be gathered, thrown, and dispersed in order to solve environmental puzzles and collect necessary items.
The importance of food and the environment is a not so subtle message in this game. The trio of astronauts must not only gather sufficient sustenance to remain alive. The residents of their planet are starving; they need to collect seeds with which to grow food at home. The survival of their people depends on it.
Cross-posted at the Georgia Straight
