There's a difference between following a game structure and ripping another game off.

The difference is that when you follow a game structure all you do is keep with the same basic formula to do things, but at the same time you introduce unique features, to freshen things up a bit. You could easily take two FPS's and find something different about them, whether its cover mechanics, controls, etc. etc.

I've played overlord, and while I haven't gotten very far in it, it does seem remarkably similar.

The only similarity between CoD 4 and Halo 3 is that both are FPS? We are not talking merely just about button config right.

I own both CoD 4 and Halo 3, and I haven't played them for two months now but I think I remember correctly that in both you can only carry two weapons and some granades or something to throw. Basic similar controls: strafe with one analog stick, look around with the other. Shoot with the right trigger etc.

I have played Overlord but not Pikmin I admit, but I have seen footage of Pikmin and I believe your point about their similarities, but is that such a bad thing? If you just did not like Overlord then that is fine, but don't you think it is unfair to criticize the game for following a good already established gameplay mechanic?

Pikmin: control small creatures to attack monsters.
Overlord: control small creatures to do your bidding and attack people.

Pikmin: Different Pikmin for different things. (Immune to fire, etc.)
Overlord: Different types of creatures for different things. (Immune to fire, etc.)

Pikmin: Without you the pikmin are very uneducated,, and will probably die.
Overlord: Without you, your minions aren't very educated, and can die easily.

Hell, it has exactly the same controls. EXACTLY the same. Cod4 and Halo 3 have some very different controls in my opinion, where as Pikmin and overlord don't.

lol some one even posted that it reminded them of pikmen