Splatoon Raiders is the latest instalment in the Splatoon series; traditionally a multiplayer PVP experience, but developer Nintendo EPD has switched things up this time around and created a single-player campaign, with multiplayer elements that can add that classic Splatoon experience for fans of the original three games.
While these elements don’t always work together perfectly, the significant graphical upgrade and near-perfect performance provide an upgrade worthy of the Switch 2’s capabilities and show that Nintendo can optimise its hardware to best suit its classic franchises, making them feel fresh and part of the current generation.
Splatoon Raiders may not fully convince you that this can be a single-player franchise, but it does a great job of bringing the franchise onto the Nintendo Switch 2 console and delivering a dungeon-like experience.
The Deep Cut
This story is set on the Spirhalite Islands, with the Deep Cut crew made up of Shiver, Frye and Big Man (one of my new favourite characters in gaming). A massive storm takes out your chopper, forcing the crew to explore the islands for their elusive treasure and build a base to get comfortable until they can return home.
To help pay a massive debt they are in, they spend their time exploring and raiding treasures and trinkets that are guarded by the Salmonoids and various other creatures. You step into the boots of the Mechanic, the groups errand squidling (or octoling depending on which character you choose) tasked with heading to different islands to either explore what’s around or dive into dungeons and raids to face a growing number of enemies and challenges that can be played in either single player, online with friends or you can even request help from anyone when you just can’t get past a certain area.
Depending on your length of play, customisation and skill level, you can spend hours exploring the islands to try and find everything to fully upgrade your large collection of weapons, upgrade your base and grab all the collectibles. You can even return to previously completed islands and raids for “seasoned” challenges, a somewhat more challenging version of the original level that will really put you to the test.
I did try a few during my playthrough but still had to level up quite a bit to get there; they were definitely the most punishing of everything I played through, but it did keep me coming back for more when I had completed the game’s main story.
Tools of the Trade
When it comes to your arsenal, there are over 100 weapon types and variations that can all be upgraded and customised to suit your play style. Each dungeon and raid you do, it forces you to rethink your current loadout and to go back and find the best combination of weapons, gadgets and tanks to get to the treasure.
Some weapons favour shooting distance, others focus on ink coverage, and some aim for an even balance between the two. The weapons here are improvised, so a lot of them have that cobbled-together look, as you would expect being stranded on an island.
To attack enemies, you can spray them with ink bullets and then use a variety of special attacks and weapons to enhance your damage and range. You do need to keep an eye on your ink levels, transforming into your ink or octoling form to replenish your ink to keep fighting. Nintendo are not pulling any punches here; the sheer amount of Salmonids that swarm you relentlessly can get overwhelming at times.
It definitely is the most challenging game that the studio has put out in recent years, adding to the replayability and the larger level of difficulty had me questioning if I needed to “get good” or if the game was genuinely challenging. I think I came down to the conclusion that it is a mix of both.
Implementing a strategy of changing up your weapons and consistently upgrading them to make sure you can get through the next dungeon to unlock the next island is essential in this game. There are elements of a story as you progress further into the game, rounding out at around 18 hours; it is a little barely there story-wise, but the gameplay and collecting items, treasure and upgrades will keep you coming back for more.
Look the Part
Design-wise, the characters and make-up of Splatoon Raiders fit in with the rest of the series; unfortunately, the islands feel a little bland and generic. The landscape is quite grey and dull, which can make a great contrast with the colourful ink splashed on it, but it doesn’t encourage exploration or create a unique island environment.
The ink itself feels like an odd thing to notice, but the way the ink flows, moves and reacts to movement looks incredible on the Switch 2 system. It doesn’t matter if you are in handheld or docked mode; the deep and rich colours do stand out on screen and is the absolute best it has ever looked.
What really works about this game is the massive swing that Nintendo is taking by taking this usual PVP series into single-player territory. The campaign is decent in length, but the lack of variety and an engaging narrative holds it back from feeling like a true single-player experience. If you love collecting items, upgrading weapons and charging through dungeons that are swarming with enemies, then this game will be perfect for you.
You have to commend Nintendo for taking risks like this with its IP; I never thought I would see a single-player Splatoon experience, and this game does enough to warrant its existence without feeling foreign to the previous instalments.
Final Thoughts
Splatoon Raiders feels like an easy home run for Nintendo. The single-player story will please fans of the original games (particularly Splatoon 3), and the detailed progression system with collectibles, upgrades and treasure does enough of the heavy lifting to keep you coming back again and again.
I spent many nights trying to convince myself that I had played enough, but the raids are addictive and time seemed to pass very quickly when playing this game. Splatoon Raiders is not the type of game I usually get lost in, but here Nintendo have crafted an addictive experience with the perfect level of difficulty that feels like a challenge to the most seasoned of players.
This is the perfect example of a classic Nintendo franchise reinvented for the Switch 2, clearly showcasing itself as one of the best games on the Switch 2.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Looks great on the Switch 2; Gameplay loop is bolstered by an addictive dungeon raid system
Lowlights: The story can feel a little empty at times
Developer: Nintendo Entertainment
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: Now
Review conducted on Nintendo Switch 2 with a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
