Headscratchers / Pikmin 4

• Why didn't the Rescue Corps just cut their losses and leave once it became clear that Louie wanted to stay on PNF-404? He was already being hostile towards them in their attempts at saving him, so they could have just saved the people he converted and then left him alone.
  • The Rescue Corps were never interested in 'rescuing' Louie. First they were after him to save his three hostages, and then they were after the giant space-dog to make Oatchi's medicine. Afterwards they kept him on base so that he couldn't run off and make more trouble for them while you find what castaways and treasures are left. And besides, Louie wouldn't be able to live out his natural lifespan on his own on PNF-404. His suit's going to fail eventually.
  • Not only that, unlike the Sage Leaf who does decide to stay out of their own free will, Louie drank the juice the Koppaites had, meaning when his suit does eventually give out, even if the Pikmin tried to save him, he'd be immune to the Leafling transformation, meaning he would die of asphyxiation no matter what if he remained on PNF-404.
• How does Oatchi smell without a nose?
  • The upgrade that makes Oatchi immune to poison directly mentions protecting his "nose" in flavor text. Presumably he has nostrils that are either covered by his fur, or simply not visible because of the art style.
• The "Albino Dwarf Bulborb" is a true Bulborb juvenile and looks like a proper intermediate between the Bulborb Larva and the adult Red Bulborb. But why is it called an "albino?" And more importantly, why do adult Bulborbs protect the Breadbug mimics if they look different from true juvenile Bulborbs?
  • The Piklopedia already explains that this is just their first molt, and they'll gain their actual colors on the second molt. The Breadbug Mimics specifically mimic that stage. As for why they're called "Albino", it's because it hasn't gained any of its colors yet, leaving it in pale colors.
• The raw materials are said to be an "amber-like substance", and can be crafted into clay, building materials, weapons and...dog treats? Is this raw material somehow edible?
  • Yes. Amber is specifically fossilized tree resin, and there are multiple types of tree resin that are edible, not to mention other organic compounds like wax that are both used as a crafting material and as ingredients in food.
• Moss was found by Olimar already resident to PNF-404, but refers to her as a "strange creature", implying he is unfamiliar with her species. Meanwhile, Oatchi is of a species that the Rescue Corps have trained for many generations. Are Oatchi and Moss even the same species?
  • Oatchi is from the planet Giya, which could easily be located a long distance from Hocotate. It's entirely possible that his species simply doesn't live there and Olimar isn't super familiar with every creature in the entire universe. Also, the Ancient Sirehound's description in the Piklopedia almost confirms that Oatchi and Moss are the same species, and they both descend from the same PNF-404-native species.
• Where or how are the castaways getting the raw materials in exchange for your services? They mentioned they're not allowed to leave the outpost under Shepherd's orders.
  • It could be material they found before they wound up trapped in caves. Piles of them are everywhere, so it's likely the Castaways took to collecting them out of interest before they were forced to hide.
• The castaways and leafings, how on PNF-404 do their spacesuits change? The arms and legs of their suits are gray when you find them, but turn into a different color once they're rescued or cured. On another note, Collins mentions the leaflings' lack of helmets, but when cured, suddenly have their helmet again.
  • Maybe the suit colors are set up digitally, allowing you to change your color whenever you feel like, and the Suits true color of grey is only visible when conserving power, which I assume a castaway's suit would do in a crisis.
  • The crew could just put new helmets on as they apply the cure.
• Why doesn't the rescue corps try to cure The Sage Leaf? Sure, he wishes to remain on PNF-404, but all castaways-turned-leaflings ignore rescue, and they're clearly not in a correct state of mind.
  • They only ever manage to collect just enough antidote to cure the main castaways, and he wasn't even on their list in the first place. So if they can't save everyone and he's happy where he is, why not leave him be?
• How is Oatchi able to breathe in an oxygenated atmosphere?
  • Same reason humans can eat chocolate, but dogs can't. Different species with different biological reactions to the same thing.