From PC Mag: Pokemon Go was hugely successful for Niantic, and now the developer is back with another Nintendo property and a new game called Pikmin Bloom.
Pikmin are the colorful, little plant-like creatures created by Shigeru Miyamoto that have featured in Nintendo games dating back to the GameCube in 2001. Now Niantic is using them for a new free-to-play mobile game which is focused on regularly getting you to go for a walk.
As you walk, Pikmin grow from seedlings with every step taken until they are big enough to be plucked out of the ground after which they follow you. Players can continue to grow their "squad" of Pikmin, but also make flowers bloom so the petals can be collected and placed on the heads of your Pikmin, or planted to create trails of flowers.
In total, seven different types of Pikmin are available to grow and collect. They all have different abilities and a friendship level which increases over time. At certain points your Pikmin may bring you a gift, which allows them to turn into a "Decor Pikmin." There's also challenges in the form of mushrooms. If they appear, your squad of Pikmin can be tasked with dealing with them in return for fruit.
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