The Secret World of Pikmin

Video Statistics and Information

Video
Captions Word Cloud
Reddit Comments
Captions
(Putting on boots) Let’s… go for a walk.   And let’s slow things down a bit. And take notice of the world right beneath our feet.   In these miniature environments, vast dramas unfold,  often without us ever realizing it. But what   if we could become part of these sagas? In  the Pikmin series, you play as a character   under two centimeters tall, and experience  a tiny yet rich ecosystem from the ground   level. And though the Pikmin universe is more  stylized than some, its surprisingly complex   lore makes it ideal for study. So, let’s shrink  down, and see the world from a new perspective…   In a flash of light, our ship arrives planetside.  This is world PNF-404 — though we would know it as   planet Earth. But this is not the Earth of  today. Humanity is gone, and in its place,   strange new orders of life have emerged.  We are a very tiny explorer from a distant   planet. It is our job to catalogue this world —  a daunting task, considering its many dangers.   Fortunately, we are not alone in our  endeavor. This is a Pikmin. A Red Pikmin,   specifically. These friendly local lifeforms will  help us uncover the mysteries of this planet. But   what are Pikmin? It’s a question we can’t answer  right away, for their biology is so bizarre, it   will take time to formulate a theory. Let’s start  with what we do know about Pikmin. Pikmin work   together. Like ants or termites, they’re eusocial  — able to divide up their labor to benefit the   whole. While one group of Pikmin is defending from  a predator, another might be collecting resources,   or even building a simple structure. We also  know that Pikmin are unusually strong, able   to carry objects much larger than their bodies.  Ants are capable of similar feats of impressive   strength relative to their size. Where Pikmin  differ from familiar forms of life is in their   reproduction. Pikmin are ‘born’ from a strange,  globular plant nicknamed an Onion. The Onion will   periodically release seeds into the air, which  develop underground into adult Pikmin. It’s such   an unusual process that we’ll need to know more  about their world before we can understand it.   The first region we’ve landed in is the  Sun-Speckled Terrace. Lit by gentle, dappled rays,   this area seems peaceful at a glance. But there  are many hungry mouths here. These are Bulborbs.   A member of the Grub-Dog family, Bulborbs come  in all shapes and sizes, but are united in their   bottomless appetites. One of the most successful  orders on the planet, Bulborbs have conquered all   manner of environments, and filled all manner  of niches. The peculiar Whiptongue Bulborb,   for example, has a feeding method similar to an  anteater — able to slurp up multiple targets with   its long, sticky tongue. We are fortunate to have  Pikmin on our side to help keep these beasts at   bay. But Bulborbs are far from the only danger.  These are Fiery Blowhogs: creatures with poor   manners and hot tempers. When threatened, they can  expel a volatile phosphorus compound from their   snouts, which combusts immediately upon contact  with air. This is where Red Pikmin come in handy,   as flame-proof cellulose in their skin  makes them heat-resistant. All the same,   it’s best we give Blowhogs… a wide berth. More  extreme lifeforms await us underground. In the old   caverns beneath the terrace, unique subterranean  species have emerged, like the Snowy Blowhogs.   Unlike their fiery relatives, they prefer to  cool things down instead of heating them up,   able to expel a compound similar to dry ice from  an internal cold sac. Tusked Blowhogs forgo the   complex chemistry of their siblings altogether, in  favor of the simpler strategy of running headfirst   into prey. These caves are also home to the  unpleasant Sheargrubs, creatures that emerge   from the ground in droves. Like Pikmin, there are  many specialized types of Sheargrubs — with some   possessing wings, and others long snouts ideal  for spearing prey. And they have a nasty habit of   swarming. To a human sized lifeform, these insects  would be little threat. But this is a world for   the bugs now. Back on the surface, Flint Beetles  — descendants of modern beetles — and Spectralids   – descendants of butterflies, thrive in large  numbers. From our new, scaled-down perspective,   these familiar species have a newfound grandeur.  It is often our viewpoint that defines our   surroundings. The Sun-Speckled Terrace seems to be  the remains of a small garden, but navigating it   feels like crossing a vast, mountainous terrain.  It made me think more about my own perspective.   …There’s a creek near the place where I grew  up. I went for a walk there the other day,   and as I walked, I stopped at random points and  stuck my camera on the ground. It was… awkward   at first. But it made me realize something.  There are… a lot of bugs out there. And yeah,   everyone knows there’s lots of bugs out there — I  knew there’s lots of bugs out there. And yet… it   still felt so different to actually see them all.  I passed so many bugs in the first few minutes,   it made me wonder how many hidden worlds I walk  past every day… Like the Blossoming Arcadia,   another microecosystem in Pikmin. It appears  to be the remains of an old playground,   but like the Terrace, this ordinary place  becomes a perilous expanse due to our tiny   lens. Fortunately, the Yellow Pikmin are here  to give us a helping hand. Their bodies are   naturally resistant to electric currents, able  to withstand shocks like certain species of   catfish. And it’s a good thing too, because  many species in the Arcadia pack a serious,   electrical punch. This unusual specimen is a  Bearded Amprat. Though nonthreatening when calm,   these territorial creatures will sometimes  rub the hair on their face to generate a   formidable electric field. The Yellow Pikmin,  however, are unimpressed by the voltage.   Leaves fall in more peaceful regions of the  playground. But bump into certain leaves,   and you might be surprised. These are Skitter  Leaves, creatures that panic and live up to their   name when poked. Because they often camouflage in  a group, waking one Skitter Leaf can start a chain   reaction that causes the entire colony to panic.  Perhaps it’s kindest to simply watch our step.   A species that will not extend this courtesy  to us is the Yellow Wollyhop. A rather rotund   member of the Amphituber family, they possess  the rather rude instinct to crush smaller   lifeforms. We’ll have to move fast to stay  alive. Fortunately, we can catch a ride on   a furry companion. This is Oatchi. A loyal canine  seemingly distantly related to the dogs of Earth;   we don’t know much about his biology. But I  really like Oatchi. Oatchi is a very good boy.   I’m less fond of the Waddlequaff. These feathered  lifeforms use their overdeveloped respiratory   muscles to suck in large volumes of air through  their beaks. An effective method of feeding,   if a frustrating one to be on the other end  of. But it’s better than facing down the spear   of a Joustmite. A burrowing insect, Joustmites  are quite proficient at spearing anything that   disturbs their slumber clean through — including  multiple targets should the need arise. It’s a   behavior similar to the Swooping Snitchbug, who  will snatch up multiple Pikmin and burrow them   back in the ground. And if these fluttering pests  aren’t enough to demonstrate the newfound might   of insects, the bioelectric Anode Beetles of the  caves certainly are. These insects can connect   with each other to create a discharge too powerful  to withstand. Only our trusty Yellow Pikmin are   up for the task. But there are some challenges  even Yellow Pikmin are not up for. These hopping   fledglings are Downy Snagrets, and probably don’t  seem like a significant threat. But they are only   babies — and their parent is close by. From the  ground emerges a colossal Burrowing Snagret. This   bird has converged upon the niche of an ambush  predator. Their mobility and sheer size make   them the tyrant rulers of the Blossoming Arcadia.  Perhaps this region simply isn’t worth the risk.   Maybe we’ll have better luck on the coast.  Based on the name alone, the Serene Shores   seem quite peaceful. There’s just one problem.  Ordinary Pikmin can’t swim. We’re going to need   some kind of specialist. The Blue Pikmin  will be the perfect lifeguards. Thanks to   a mouth-like gill membrane, these Pikmin can  breathe underwater — and are ready to tussle   with all manner of aquatic life. They’re  the ideal allies for this watery ecosystem.   Skimming on top of the water is a graceful  Skeeterskate. Likely descended from pond skaters,   Skeeterskates use hydrophobic hairs on their feet  to remain on top of the water. They store water in   a sac atop their heads, which they’ll regurgitate  if we get too close. But it’s better to be spit at   than eaten whole. Water Dumples are unassuming  purple blobs with ravenous appetites. Their   behavior makes more sense when you consider their  closest relative is the terrestrial Bulborb. Yet   their appetite seems almost quaint compared to the  Peckish Aristocrab. While these crustaceans begin   their life as tiny nuisances, they soon grow into  full sized, intertidal terrors. An unfortunate   creature for those who enjoy long walks on the  beach. And Aristocrabs aren’t the only crustacean   to look out for. Hermit Crawmads are ambush  hunters that will rush at sources of movement   from their burrow, before awkwardly wobbling back  underground. A descendent of the hermit crab,   Crawmads have lost their shells entirely, and as  a result are not the bravest creatures here on the   coast. If a Crawmad fails in their initial attack,  they will often shamefully scuttle away in defeat.   Other ambush predators have a less subtle,  but far more destructive approach. Armored   Cannon Larva will regurgitate large stones from  their gullet to flatten enemies. They feed on   minerals to support the bacteria in their gut — a  behavior analogous to certain types of shipworms   that consume limestone for the same reason. A  questionable diet, but an unquestionably effective   offensive tactic. Not every animal on the Serene  Shores is quite so hostile. Puckering Blinnows are   relatively peaceful creatures that swim in schools  beneath the surface. Pearly Clamclamps are another   seemingly calm semi-aquatic species. But trigger  their snapping mechanism, and you’ll find there’s   more to these clams than meets the eye. Clamclamps  are the ultimate patient hunters, using their   pearls as bait to ensnare unlucky prey. They’re  proof some treasures… just aren’t worth it.   There’s a region of the Serene Shores that  appears to be an abandoned aquarium. Here,   you can encounter Jellyfloats, strange  floating lifeforms that can hover,   likely due to some internal gas bladder. Yet while  one’s focus should definitely remain on these   giant floating predators, when I encounter them, I  keep thinking about the surrounding aquarium, how   uncanny it is that an ecosystem has formed around  this abandoned place. I have a similar experience   facing down the Crusted Rumpup. The apex predator  of its environment, this giant has poor eyesight,   and charges blindly at any potential meal. Not  a creature to face while distracted. Yet while   evading this goliath, I found myself once again  transfixed by the surroundings. The Rumpup seems   to make its home in an abandoned sandcastle.  Like the aquarium, here, the remnants of the   past define the present. The same can be said  for most of the environments in this game — the   shape of each ecosystem determined by junk  humanity left behind without a second thought.   The landscape of the creek from my childhood is  marked by similar relics. Plastic caps and broken   bottles lie on the banks. I did my best to clean  up the area, although more trash will certainly   come. The creek itself isn’t even a natural stream  — it’s all runoff from a drainage pipe. Human   overflow changes the shape of micro-environments  like this one all the time, despite most people   not even knowing they exist. Nowhere in Pikmin  is humanity’s influence more present than the   next region, which takes place entirely within  an abandoned human home — a unique ecosystem   with unique life. The mighty Purple Pikmin are  going to be of particular help here, as man-made   obstacles can be crushed under their considerable  bulk. On the floor of the household, strange   creatures teeter about. These oddities are called  Breadbugs, and live up to their names with bodies   that resemble, well, bread. Breadbugs can be seen  dragging shiny objects to safe locations, perhaps   due to some nesting instinct. The real mystery,  however, is why any species would evolve to   look like a common food item? The Giant Breadbug  subspecies looks even more like a delectable loaf,   deepening the mystery. Considering that camouflage  is typically a strategy to avoid getting eaten,   it is probable that the Breadbugs  resemblance to food is just a coincidence.   Another culinary creature oozes across the  floor. The Sunsquish resembles a fried egg,   yet is actually a kind of protochordate, a type  of invertebrate. Though carnivorous, this is one   egg that’s not too difficult to scramble. But  you’re the one more likely to get scrambled if   you start a fight with a Mammoth Snootwacker.  This species sports a tough exterior shell to   deter predators. But if they still don’t get the  message, the Snootwacker can wind up their trunks   for a devastating strike. When a species asks for  privacy, it’s best to respect their wishes. In the   plumbing systems below this house, a secondary  ecosystem thrives. This environment is home to   creatures like the Pricklepuff, a pufferfish-like  animal with toxic spines. Luckily, Ice Pikmin can   help keep us from needing to get our feet wet.  These Pikmin can freeze bodies of water, creating   a walkable surface. In-game scientists assume th  ese creatures are made entirely of ice. I think   it’s more likely they have biological components  that let them expel a freezing chemical mixture   much like a Snowy Blowhog, although we still need  to learn more about Pikmin in general to formulate   a proper hypothesis regarding their biology. With  Ice Pikmin in hand, we’ll make the acquaintance of   the Hydro Dweevil. These crab-like insects have a  natural instinct to hide under human objects. The   emergence of such a behavior across all Dweevil  subspecies speaks to the impact humanity’s debris   has had on evolutionary processes. But other  creatures carry things for a more sinister   reason. The Gildemandwee possess a sweet-smelling,  crystalline growth on their back to attract prey.   And while juvenile Gildemandwees have a somewhat  limited appetite, the adult Gildemander is   prepared to ask for seconds. The vast growths on  their back combined with the angler-fish lights   on their heads mean that even the wariest  prey can be pulled in by their display.   Yet there is one species so wary, not even a  Gildemander could entice it. Although that doesn’t   mean this cautious creature is defenseless. The  Scorchcake is one of the stranger lifeforms of   the Pikmin world. These molten disks might  not look like an animal at all, but they   are actually a type of mollusk — a connection  that is more readily apparent when they extend   their periscopic stalk eyes. Scorchcakes create  bursts of fire through oils secreted from their   shells — a strategy similar to the Pyroclasmic  Slooch, a species of terrestrial snail that   might be the Scorchcake’s close relative. Though  Sloochs have abandoned the shells of their cousin,   they flash bright colors to ward off any predator  not deterred by their scorching trail. Perhaps   the most well defended creature of all is the  Porquillion. These spiny goliaths are among the   most formidable creatures in this entire region,  able to fire off spines at an alarming rate. If a   Porquillion runs out, however, they must retreat  until their spikes are able to regrow. Such a   process expends considerable energy, and means the  Porquillion is always searching for its next meal.   Since we don’t want that to be us, we’ll try  our luck in the backyard, a region known as   Giant’s Hearth. And right away, it’s clear that  this area is the wrong locale to seek sanctuary.   Bulbears are Bulborb relatives that are even more  aggressive than their cousins. We’ll need some   particularly tough Pikmin to brave this ecosystem.  And it’s difficult to get tougher than a Rock   Pikmin. These stony fellows are so strong, they  can burst directly through crystalline walls. But   how does an organism made of stone function? In  game text suggests the Rock Pikmin’s hard exterior   is actually just an outer shell of inorganic  material that a smaller lifeform exists within.   And when you consider that many modern organisms  have shells made of rock-hard calcium carbonate,   such an adaptation doesn’t seem so far-fetched.  A tough shell won’t do you much good against   a Bloomcap Bloyster. These hungry mollusks  constantly probe with their feeding tendrils.   Their smaller cousins, the Toady Bloysters,  seem less threatening at a glance. But looks   can be deceiving. This is one species that  has changed radically from its ancestors.   Other organisms have changed little over the  eons. Arachnodes are spider descendants that   remain just as skilled as their ancestors,  able to sense food at any point in their webs.   Underground, little understood arthropods called  Shutterchucks collect shiny crystals. These   crystals have useful properties, and Winged Pikmin  will help us transport them. They may be small,   but Winged Pikmin are deceptively strong. This  doesn’t seem impossible considering bees can haul   up to 91 percent of their bodyweight in nectar  alone — yet it does show that the world of Pikmin   still holds many secrets. Deeper underground, we  can at least answer the mystery of where Bulborbs   come from. They appear to begin their life as tiny  larvae, utterly defenseless without an adult. But   an adult is close by. This is an Empress Bulbax,  a Grub-Dog with a massively enlarged egg sac for   bearing children like the queen of an ant colony.  When threatened, this monarch will try to crush   opponents with its sheer bulk — rolling directly  over them. But left to her own devices, the   Empress Bulbax prefers to peacefully snooze. In  fact, most of the creatures in this game seem calm   until the player stumbles by. …I loved looking  under rocks as a child, getting a glimpse of the   insects in their natural state. Except… I wasn’t  seeing them in their natural state, not really — I   was seeing their panic mode after their home had  been disrupted. To get nature to do what I wanted,   I acted less like an observer, and more like an  instigator. And the same thing happens when you   play Pikmin. You might have noticed throughout  this video that lots of creatures require a treat   to motivate them into doing something interesting  for the camera. You’re not really connecting with   the ecosystem; you’re more pushing it into doing  what you want. Of course, sometimes, the ecosystem   pushes back. Explore at night, and we’ll find  familiar locations made eerie and unsettling,   and animals becoming more aggressive. Your  only hope is to make an alliance with the   mysterious Glow Pikmin, who seem to be ghosts.  Like, the in-game encyclopedia implies they’re   straight up ghosts. So, I don’t know how their  biology works, I got nothing. The night sections   are another grave reminder that there’s still  much about this ecosystem we don’t understand.   I found footprints by the creek the last time I  went. And while this made me feel like a tracker,   the truth is I don’t know what kind of animal they  belong to. I feel the same way in Pikmin when I   encounter something like the Mamuta — a strange,  hairy creature that doesn’t fit with the other   animals I’ve encountered. Other than the fact it  likes to plant Pikmin, I know nothing about its   biology or lineage. Perhaps the final region has  some answers. The Primordial Thicket is a vast   undergrowth teeming with life more dangerous than  any other area. Dense networks of fungi coat the   forest floor, and thick clouds of spores can block  certain pathways. The tiny White Pikmin can help   thanks to their natural immunity to the spores’  toxins. Indeed, these spores seem to be parasitic,   as they’ve overtaken the bodies of many animals  that live here. And this — at last — provides key   potential insight into the mysteries of Pikmin  biology. Many of the animals in this forest seem   to be a combination of both fungus and animal.  In some cases, like that of the well-camouflaged   Startle Spore, the fungal parasites seem to  be an integral part of their biology. And the   Startle Spore has a cousin, in the form of  the more plant-like Creeping Chrysanthemum.   And something about how the Chrysanthemum  emerges from the ground seems awfully familiar.   More on that in a moment… One species that seems  immune to the fungal network is the towering   Grubchucker. These bipedal creatures snag prey  with the long reach of their pincers and toss them   into the mouth on top of their heads. The food is  then digested slowly — a fate we want to avoid.   We must also avoid cloudy water, for the  Bogswallow lies in wait. Possessing six   primitive eyes, these creatures seem to be  a holdover from a forgotten primeval age.   Yet the last new creature we’ll visit today is far  more ancient, and mighty. It’s a Sovereign Bulbax,   the largest member of the Grub-Dog family.  These genuine titans snag food with their long,   sticky tongues, and can swallow up many unwary  Pikmin. Notably, the Sovereign Bulbax cultivate   a rich carpet of plant matter on their backs that  helps them stay camouflaged under the ground. It’s   another example of plant and animal symbiosis that  might finally let us crack our big mystery… Given   all we’ve seen, the Pikmin may be . . . hybrids  of animals and plants — specifically, parasitic   plants like the Creeping Chrysanthemum. There’s  evidence to support this, as some explorers are   turned into plant hybrids after exposure to an  onion. If this is correct, Pikmin have clearly   evolved to become heavily intertwined with their  plant partners. Indeed, one in-game scientist   proposes that Pikmin are entirely plants, and  evolved from root vegetables. And while this   seems… less likely, as is often the case with  Pikmin, it’s impossible to say for certain.   Though the time has come to leave this particular  world behind, it’s worth reflecting on our new   perspective and the mysteries that remain.  Pikmin isn’t a series that reveals all   its secrets. Like a child turning over rocks,  you’ll always be an interloper to some extent,   an outsider making assumptions. But it’s a  series that makes you think more about the   ecosystems just below you. And I’ve left plenty  of stones unturned and creatures undocumented   if you’re interested in exploring this world  yourself. And as always, thanks for watching.   If you enjoyed this entry, please lend your  support by liking, subscribing, and hitting   the notification icon to stay up to date on  all things Curious. See you in the next video.
Info
Channel: Curious Archive
Views: 260,212
Rating: undefined out of 5
Keywords: Curious Archive, Pikmin, flying pikmin, bulbmin, pikmin reddit, nintendo, switch, bluborb, Pikmin 4, oatchi, Pikmin 2, speculative biology, speculative zoology, future, story explained, secrets, Rain World, synthwave, Curiousarchive, Curious Archives
Id: 3z2v1SWt4Xg
Channel Id: undefined
Length: 25min 9sec (1509 seconds)
Published: Fri Aug 25 2023
Related Videos
Note
Please note that this website is currently a work in progress! Lots of interesting data and statistics to come.