Though the announcement of Niantic's Pikmin mobile AR app was just over a week ago and doesn't have an official name yet, the game is already out in Singapore in Early Access.
A collaboration of Pokemon GO's Niantic and the Pikmin franchise certainly wasn't something players were expecting. Against other AR games like Harry Potter Wizards Unite and Mario Kart Tour, Pikmin seems like a bit of an oddball choice, especially when considering Pikmin doesn't have the strongest track record in terms of successful sales in comparison to other Nintendo franchises. Still, it's expected that the Pikmin-based mobile app will be more relaxing than Pokemon GO, which turned out to both have a competitive edge and bring lots of gamers outside.
What was also unexpected was that the game would be out in Early Access, at least in some part of the world, so soon. Niantic's upcoming Pikmin AR app is available for download now in Singapore, where players can test the game and provide feedback to the developers before it releases to the rest of the world. The game is still titled "Pikmin App (Early Access)" in the Google Store as shown by one user.
However, players who choose to download and test Niantic's Pikmin app have been discouraged from sharing videos or screenshots of the game online. This isn't to say that leaks won't almost certainly happen in the coming weeks. In fact, via IGN, an anonymous source has already detailed several gameplay elements with the Early Access version of the Pikmin app.
It's expected that some points will change with the full version such as Points of Interest, which are similar to Pokemon GO's Pokestops, but most of the anonymously detailed gameplay will largely stay the same.
Much like Pokemon GO, the Pikmin app will be a walking simulator, but this time, it aims to be more relaxing. On walks, players will find Pikmin growing as dormant seedlings, and the energy accumulated with steps is used to collect the Pikmin. There are several species of Pikmin, including Red, Yellow, and Blue Pikmin as well as Rock and Winged Pikmin. Once they're fully grown, players can add the Pikmin to their squad much like adding Pokemon to parties.
With the unnamed Pikmin app due out for a full global launch later this year, it's likely that other regions will see an Early Access launch or testing phase in the coming months.
Niantic's Pikmin game is set to release in 2021 for mobile devices.
Source: IGN