For September, there is only a single game I want to focus on, so no honourable mentions this time around. The game I’ll be highlighting here is the third in its series, and one that is very colourful.
Splatoon 3 takes us to Splatsville in the Splatlands, where Inklings and Octolings compete by inking turf. This new game in the series brings along with it new weapons, moves, stages and fashion. Just like the titles before it, Splatoon 3 offers a single-player campaign. Alternatively, you can get stuck into multiplayer battles, with 4 vs 4 matches, or maybe go for some co-op with the Salmon Run mode.
So what’s new for Splatoon 3? Well, about a couple of new weapon types. There are the Stringers and the Splatana Wiper. Stringers are bows, and Splatana Wipers – well, are kind of like but not really katanas. Seems like they went in a samurai-esque direction with these new additions. There are also new Special weapons, for that extra bit of oomph when splatting your opponents.
There are also new stages to get familiar with – places like Scorch Gorge, Eeltail Alley, and Mincemeat Metalworks. You’ll find a few familiar locales if you’ve played the previous games, too.
The multiplayer battles offer a variety of modes. Your regular battle is the simple Turf War – whoever has covered the stage in the most ink at the end of the battle wins. For climbing the ranks you have Anarchy Battles – that’s where you’ll find modes like Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker and Clam Blitz.
Whilst multiplayer is very much a core aspect of Splatoon, the games all have solid single player story modes – this one included. The story for this one is set in a place called Alterna. The Octarians are your enemies once again, except this time they’re looking a little hairier. There are also some familiar faces involved with the story.
Maybe you’d prefer a more co-operative mode? Salmon Run makes a return from Splatoon 2, except this time its available 24/7. You and three other players face off against hordes of Salmonids whilst collecting Golden Eggs. Why are you collecting Golden Eggs? Hmm, maybe the story mode could grant some insight into that…
Completely new for Splatoon 3 is Tableturf Battle – they’ve managed to add a TCG in there. You can find cards during the single player campaign, and from other places. Build a deck, and battle others.
Another recurring feature that makes it return are Splatfests. Except this time, you are offered 3 choices instead of two. With three different teams inking Turf, things sure do get interesting.
Splatoon 3 also offers some very nice QOL improvements from the second game. Salmon Run being freely available is one example, but I also like that you have the option to jump into the game straight away whilst Deep Cut introduce the current stages and such by simply clicking the left stick. As great as Off the Hook were, it did get a little grating having to sit through Pearl and Marina’s spiels every time you turned the game on.
Talking of Pearl and Marina… seems like we’ll have to wait a little longer to see those two in the game proper. Well, they have announced a “large scaled paid DLC” for sometime in the future. Considering how great Splatoon 2‘s Octo Expansion was, I’m very much looking forward to that.
Absolutely loving Splatoon 3, definitely a game I’m more than happy to recommend that Switch owners pick up.
Rory Muses 