Splatoon 2 Review

If the original Splatoon received sales success on a console that didn’t, the potential for the series’ growth on a console that is harder to find than a Nintendo console without a Mario game is exponential.

Splatoon 2 builds on the original in a number of ways, but for those who sunk tens of hours into the original, you won’t find the sequel as ‘fresh’ as you might have hoped for. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though. Splatoon 2 builds on the already great gameplay of the original and introduces new weapons, new movement options, new modes, and packages it in a more cohesive way.

For those uninitiated in the ways of Splatoon, it’s a third-person paint shooter where the main objective of most modes is to either cover the area in an obscene amount of paint or to splat (eliminate) your opponents.

Single-Player Campaign

If you’ve experienced the original Splatoon’s single-player, then Splatoon 2 will immediately feel familiar. This sequel iterates on the original’s campaign rather than reinvent it. It provides a similar setup, where you’ll initially be tasked to find the entrance to levels within a small sandbox, using the skills and weapons earned in earlier levels to find your way around and uncover manholes that lead to the ‘real’ challenges.

Each individual level is around five to fifteen minutes long, with most teaching you some of Splatoon’s basic concepts, and it does a great job of training you for multiplayer matches. Opening levels will teach you basic horizontal and vertical movement before you’re moved on and introduced to level-specific mechanics that range from grinding on rails to moving platforms with fans and inking a rolled-up floor so that it shoots out to present you with a new path. As a whole, the campaign does a fantastic job of throwing new mechanics at you at just the right moment, increasing your knowledge and improving your ability as you go.

Throughout each of the five sectors you visit, you’ll be tasked with collecting numerous items that can help you upgrade your ink tank, weapons, or to purchase new types of bombs. Each collectible is hidden to varying degrees of difficulty, with the Sunken Scrolls – which unlock some of the game’s backstory in the form of a piece of art – being the most difficult to find. In fact, the game often teases you with their locations. You’ll find yourself searching every inch of a level only to catapult to the next section with a view of a hidden platform you missed just catching your eye. It’s frustrating in a way, but also gives you a reason to go back. After all, who wants empty slots in their log taunting them?

Single-player lacks the kind of jump in quality you’d expect for a sequel, but it’s still an enjoyable ride. It provides a more-than-adequate addendum to the game’s multiplayer, and its quality holds up throughout its entirety, constantly challenging and throwing new things at you right until its conclusion.

Multiplayer Modes

It’s the multiplayer mode where Splatoon 2 will eat away at your spare time. As in the previous game, Turf War is the dominant mode on offer, forcing teams of four to go against each other and cover the map in more of their paint than their opponents whilst also splatting the opposing team’s players. It’s a mode that, while simple in its rules, is chaotic and hectic in practice. Games often remain tight until the last few moments, and a last-second splat or roller-induced focus can win the match. Teams who coordinate will often get the most out of games, with a spread of the game’s vast array of weapons the best way to not just cover the territory in your own color but also to hold specific sections of a map.

A good spread of weapons is crucial in multiplayer for those serious about dominating the Inkopolis leaderboards. Dualies (think Uzis with paint), Rollers, and the sniper-like Splat Charger can provide quick coverage as well as both close-range and long-range combat options, allowing you to snipe, rapid-fire, and roll your way to victory.

For those who aren’t able to form up a formidable team, don’t worry. Splatoon 2 also accommodates those who just want to jump in and play a quick game without the need for much organization.

As you progress in multiplayer, you’ll unlock more weapons and attire for your characters, the latter of which will provide subtle boosts during gameplay, such as draining ink less, providing a speed boost, or enhancing your range of attack. Each of these can also be individually boosted the more you play. It’s classic multiplayer hooks to keep you invested but in a way that doesn’t feel as arbitrary as seeing a number go up – even though that’s precisely what it is. The colorful and unique look of Splatoon makes it feel like those cool-looking shoes you’ve just bought will give you a boost because they look cool. It’s just aesthetics with a number, but Splatoon’s style makes it feel more than just a boost and upgrade.

Ranked Battles and Alternate Modes

After reaching Level 10, you’ll be able to compete in Ranked multiplayer matches. At this level, you’ll not only be competing against the best players, but you’ll also be able to compete in Splatoon’s other multiplayer modes outside of standard Turf War: Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker. Each is a variation on the more standard Turf War, except you’ll need to ink specific zones or moving obstacles to achieve your objective. All modes bring their own sense of individuality and are, most importantly, enjoyable to play without getting at all monotonous. Each delivers Splatoon’s fast-paced gameplay as well as any other without any modes feeling particularly weak.

No matter which multiplayer mode you play on Splatoon, you’ll still get great moment-to-moment gameplay, which includes the nervousness of tracking a player down only to see them disappear from view into their own ink. In these small one-on-one moments, Splatoon’s multiplayer thrives, setting up intense mid-game rivalries without the need for constant UI prompts telling you who killed who every few seconds.

Salmon Run

Splatoon 2’s biggest new addition, however, is Salmon Run. A horde-like mode that sees you tasked with taking on an army of enemies in the hopes of coming away with an impressive set of loot. At launch, Salmon Run was only available during specific times, but once you can access it, you’ll find a cooperative-focused mode that provides escalating challenges against an army of Salmon. It’s Splatoon 2’s biggest leap from the original, and while it may not garner as much attention as standard Turf War, Salmon Run will certainly attract certain players who thrive in a cooperative environment. It’s a great addition to what’s already here.

Final Thoughts

Apart from Salmon Run, Splatoon 2 doesn’t go as far as it should have to differentiate itself from the original, but what’s here is still fantastic. The single-player, while brilliant, feels largely similar, while multiplayer still stays true to the original.

It’s not often that Nintendo releases a sequel that feels run-of-the-mill, but when it’s an iteration on something that’s brilliant anyway, it’s not too much of an issue. Returning players can immediately feel familiar with Splatoon 2, while newcomers won’t be alienated. The game’s colorful, chaotic, and endlessly creative world is more than enough to justify jumping back into Inkopolis or visiting it for the first time. For fans of competitive multiplayer or those seeking a vibrant new take on cooperative gameplay, Splatoon 2 is a must-play on the Nintendo Switch.

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