Splatoon 3 is the latest addition to Nintendo’s colorful and chaotic shooter series. Building on the success of Splatoon and Splatoon 2, this third installment refines the fast-paced, ink-based combat that made the franchise a fan favorite. With new weapons, enhanced movement mechanics, and exciting multiplayer modes, Splatoon 3 offers a fresh experience while staying true to its roots. In this review, we will dive into what makes Splatoon 3 stand out and why it’s a must-have for Nintendo Switch owners.
1. Expansive Single-Player Mode: Return of the Mammalians
Splatoon 3’s single-player campaign, Return of the Mammalians, is both a thrilling and inventive experience. This mode follows Agent 3 as they face off against the Octarian Army and unravel the mysteries of the world’s first mammals in a long time. The story takes players through creatively designed levels that blend platforming, puzzles, and combat into a cohesive and fun narrative.
The single-player mode also serves as a great introduction for new players, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the game’s mechanics, weapons, and movement options before jumping into multiplayer action.
2. Refined Multiplayer: Turf War and Beyond
Multiplayer remains at the heart of Splatoon 3, and the classic Turf War mode returns with some improvements. The main goal is simple: cover the battlefield in your team’s ink. However, the new movement mechanics and updated weaponry add layers of strategy to every match. Whether you’re sneaking through ink to ambush enemies or launching special attacks to dominate the field, Turf War remains fast-paced and thrilling.
Beyond Turf War, Splatoon 3 also offers ranked battle modes such as Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker. These modes push teams to adopt different strategies and focus more on coordination. Ranked battles are ideal for players looking to challenge themselves and climb the competitive ladder.
3. New Weapons and Special Abilities
A key aspect of Splatoon 3’s gameplay is its wide variety of weapons and special abilities. This installment introduces new weapon classes like the Splatana, a katana-style ink weapon that lets players attack at close range with rapid slashes, and the Tri-Stringer, a bow-like weapon that can fire ink in multiple directions.
Special abilities have also been overhauled, with new options like the Crab Tank—a powerful mech that shoots ink in bursts and rolls over enemies. These special abilities can turn the tide of battle, offering unique ways to support your team or disrupt the enemy’s plans.
4. Strategic Movement: Squid Surge and Squid Roll
Splatoon 3 introduces two new movement mechanics that add a tactical layer to the game: Squid Surge and Squid Roll. The Squid Surge allows players to charge up and leap quickly while swimming up ink-covered walls, enabling dynamic surprise attacks from above. The Squid Roll lets players change direction swiftly while swimming in ink, making it easier to dodge enemy fire and reposition during intense battles.
These new movement options allow for more fluid gameplay and create opportunities for advanced strategies. Mastering them can make a huge difference in competitive play.
5. Splatlands and Splatsville: The New World
One of the most noticeable changes in Splatoon 3 is the setting. The game takes place in the Splatlands, a sun-scorched desert region with a unique aesthetic. Splatsville, the bustling city at the center of this region, serves as the game’s new hub. Here, players can access shops, gear up, and prepare for their next battle.
The change in setting brings a fresh vibe to the game, offering a departure from the urban environment of previous installments. The colorful, quirky world of Splatoon 3 feels alive and full of personality, adding to the charm that the series is known for.
6. Enhanced Customization
Customization in Splatoon 3 has been expanded, allowing players to personalize their Inklings or Octolings like never before. From clothing and accessories to hairstyles and eye colors, there are more ways to express individuality. Players can also customize their gear sets, balancing between style and functionality as certain gear items come with useful in-game abilities that can affect movement, ink coverage, or special weapon charge rates.
7. Salmon Run: Revamped Co-op Mode
The popular co-op mode Salmon Run is back and better than ever in Splatoon 3. This mode tasks players with working together to fend off waves of Salmonid enemies while collecting Golden Eggs. The updated version of Salmon Run features new boss Salmonids and tougher challenges that demand tighter teamwork and quick thinking.
One of the best updates in Splatoon 3 is that Salmon Run is now available 24/7, removing the restrictive time windows from previous games and allowing players to dive into the action whenever they want.
8. Visuals and Performance
As expected, Splatoon 3 is visually stunning. The vibrant, ink-filled environments burst with color and charm, while the character animations are fluid and expressive. The game runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, even in intense multiplayer matches, with minimal frame rate drops or lag issues.
The vibrant ink effects combined with the playful design of the characters and environments create a visually immersive experience that is hard to resist.
9. Competitive Scene and Future Updates
With Splatoon 3, Nintendo is continuing to support the competitive scene that emerged from previous games. The game’s ranked modes are perfect for players looking to challenge themselves in serious competition. Nintendo has also announced plans to support Splatoon 3 with future updates, including new weapons, maps, and game modes, ensuring that the game remains fresh and exciting for years to come.
10. Conclusion: Splatoon 3 Is a Must-Have
Splatoon 3 successfully builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessors while introducing enough new features to feel fresh and exciting. The combination of fun, strategic gameplay, a lively world, and a strong multiplayer focus makes it one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer, Splatoon 3 offers hours of ink-splattering fun.
