Mobile games have been around for a while now, but none have quite managed to have the same impact as Niantic's Pokemon GO. The 2016 geolocation-based mobile game took the world by storm, getting gamers out of their houses to hunt for cute creatures as well as introducing non-gamers to the world of Pokemon. There have been many titles that have tried to emulate its success or that have been inspired by Pokemon GO, like Niantic's other mobile game Pikmin Bloom. The Pikmin franchise may not be quite as well known as Pokemon, but it still has a dedicated fan base.

It's clear Pokemon GO is the inspiration behind Pikmin Bloom, particularly considering both games share the same developer. With that being the case, there are plenty of similarities between the two titles, with a comparable premise and shared features. However, Pikmin Bloom still manages to distinguish itself from its predecessor with a few unique features and a different sensibility.

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Pokemon GO's Competitive Edge

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Pikmin Bloom, the 2021 release from both Niantic and Nintendo, also combined the real world with the universe of a successful gaming franchise like Pokemon. Exploring the real world lets players collect items to sustain their Pikmin, and the element of exercise and engagement is definitely something it borrows from Pokemon GO. However, the Pokemon-focused game has an element of competition that isn't really present in Pikmin Bloom.

In Pokemon GO, players can join either Team Valor, Instinct, or Mystic after level 5 which adds a layer of competitiveness as gamers work together for control over the various Gyms dotted around the world. As with most Pokemon games, the goal is to collect and train monsters, with the option to battle other trainers added to Pokemon GO in 2018. In contrast, Pikmin Bloom doesn't necessarily have an overarching goal, and there isn't a sense of competing within the gameplay.

Community in Pikmin Bloom

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The Teams in Pokemon GO help to bring players together, but they also sow a little conflict and rivalry as well. This helps to engage players, but Pikmin Bloom has a very different approach to retain gamers. Pikmin Bloom contains challenges that require players to interact with each other, but these usually ask them to work together rather than against each other. This still fosters a feeling of community, but without the competitive edge that defines a lot of Pokemon GO's interactions.

Pikmin Bloom's relatively new Weekly Challenge feature also helps build its community, which encourages players to increase their steps by adding in-game incentives for doing so. In addition to the ability to walk with other players, these challenges let gamers work collaboratively to reach the step target. Some fans think this feature still needs a little work and should come with more targeted rewards, but it's definitely a move in the right direction.

Pikmin Bloom focuses on the effect that players have on the world around them, with the goal of filling the environment with flowers through their movements and actions. With other gamers able to see the path of flowers another has laid down, this adds a sweet element of collaboration and a cause-and-effect feature, without pitting players against each other. These flower paths only last for a few days, so this keeps players coming back for more. In contrast, Pokemon GO's transitory elements revolve around control over Gyms, meaning gamers need to keep engaging in order to retain their dominance, adding a level of combativeness that feels far away from Pikmin Bloom's gentle gameplay.

Pikmin Bloom is available now on Android and iOS devices.

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