Really great 3D platformers in the indie space are often few and far between, but Tinykin is the latest example of a true gem in the genre. This collect-a-thon adventure takes a lot of inspiration from the popular Nintendo franchise Pikminwith a core element of the game around small creatures helping the protagonist.
While the similarities between the two games may be striking, the developers of Tinykin allowed the game to have its own identity and at the same time separate itself from the more famous Pikmin. Whether players love the iconic Nintendo strategy franchise or not, it’s important to keep these differences in mind.
7 Time does not pass
One of the key elements of the Pikmin games is that time is always moving. That means players should complete as much as possible while the sun is still up. Time doesn’t matter though Tinykin. In fact, time has stopped advancing in the universe.
The protagonist finds himself in a world stuck in 1991, where the normal day-night cycle has been frozen for quite some time. While the exact reasons for this won’t be revealed until much later in the game, players don’t have to worry about time-sensitive targets during gameplay.
6 No pressure to finish
Along the same lines of time not passing, very little pressure is placed on the player in Tinykin. While Pikmin usually it’s about repairing a ship in time before it loses the air it needs to breathe, protagonist Milo can actually inhale the surrounding air.
In addition, there is no major threat that Milo faces other than the need to return to his home planet. The game is made for players to spend a lot of time exploring every room of the big house and finding collectibles in every nook and cranny. So sit back and enjoy the sights of the interior.
5 Lots of NPCs to talk to
Generally, Pikmin is played without much contact from characters to talk to, with the occasional exception of fellow aliens who are also on the expedition. Unlike, Tinykin is filled with a world of other individuals to talk and interact with. In particular, the game is full of cute bugs.
From dung beetles to dragonflies, these critters have turned the rooms of Milo’s giant house into miniature communities inside. Going to them will give you tips on how to play the game, little bits to chuckle or real knowledge building. Anyway, spend time with the characters in Tinykin is a delight.
4 Focus on crossing houses
the most of Pikmin takes place outdoors, with players running through logs and fighting enemies in the grass. On the other hand, the events of Tinykin take place entirely in a single house. While there are plenty of bugs to deal with, this is all done from the safety of within.
The game focuses entirely on navigating normally small spaces like a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen which are huge compared to Milo. There is a primary focus on interacting with household objects, which includes carrying large items around a room to open doors to closets that initially hide entire areas for you to explore.
3 Tinykin has no similar roles
Both games are similar in that they have little boys that serve as tools to help the player move forward. But while Pikmin can be used for similar purposes such as carrying objects and fighting, each Tinykin in the game has its own unique purpose that does not overlap with the others.
For example, the pink Tinykin are used to push and lift objects, while the red Tinykin explode breakable barriers. The closest overlap could be with the yellow and green Tinykin. The green ones can be stacked and used as a ladder, while the yellow ones create bridges for Milo and others to walk across. However, these are two completely different roles.
2 There are no fights
While Pikmin is a game with cute elements, there are times when it can get brutal. This is especially true during the combat sections of the game, where players are forced to put Pikmin on the frontline of battle and risk their death.
But in Tinykin, there are no fights. Combat just isn’t a mechanic in the game and most Tinykin don’t have to risk death to help Milo. The only ones that do are the exploding red ones who seem excited and happy to do so. On top of zero battles, there really aren’t any major opponents in the game, with the only obstacle being repairing the ship.
1 It is a 3D platform game
Although there is a lot of inspiration between the two games, the bottom line is that these games fall under completely different genres. Pikmin is a strategic action game that revolves around managing the little creatures well and trying to collect resources before it’s too late.
Tinykin is an indie 3D platformer that is about jumping around and collecting objects that can help rebuild the ship home. Players probably won’t run out of Tinykin, and even if they do, there will always be eggs around to pick up. And as mentioned before, there’s no pressure to rush the game.
Tinykin is out now on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
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