For a franchise that only debuted last generation, Splatoon’s cult following has only grown from strength to strength.

Such is its virality that it’s even become a tentpole IP for Nintendo in recent years over some of their more established IP like Metroid. Though, perhaps it would help if they gave Samus a bit more of a look in from time to time.

It shouldn’t be a huge surprise to hear that Splatoon 3 doesn’t feel like a massive evolution over Splatoon 2. In fairness, it probably shouldn’t because why mess with what worked so well already? I guess it’s just more noticeable seeing as how Splatoon 2 hit early on in the Switch’s lifecycle and Splatoon 3 is, arguably, landing during its twilight.

The core essence of the game remains very much in tact. From your ability set, to the type of multiplayer options available, the lobby screen, the way they introduce new concepts, the art style, music. All of it. A clear identity has now been established for these games and the franchise has undoubtedly found its rhythm.

Because if you look at Splatoon 1 as that initial proof of concept, and Splatoon 2 as the marked growth needed to grow its audience, building out those ideas and fleshing them out into a bigger, more well-rounded product. Splatoon 3 is the title that mixes it all together to finally crack the mass market and really take this IP to the next level for long-term development and playability.

It’s polished, well-presented, there’s a big budget behind it, all while maintaining the core loop that has remained so successful over the last seven years.

Splatoon 3 is great and it’s the Nintendo game I’ve dipped into and out of the most since Animal Crossing. It’s perfect for some random pick up and play sessions or when I want something a bit more long-form with Salmon Run or the in-depth Campaign.

I think the game’s welcoming nature, ease of play and its newly improved lobby system just help everything click into place better than before. You can get games in seconds, even sticking with lobby mates you’ve enjoyed a round with. The game’s progression system feels more natural and familiar in today’s season-driven market, and the splatfests keep things fresh.

Not to mention the updates to Salmon Run and the brand new Tableturf Battle which are welcome inclusions and updates from what we’ve been playing before.

It’s the campaign mode that’s really won me over this time, though. Before the brilliant Octo Expansion, Splatoon 2 had a fairly low-bar offering with Splatoon 1 being even more generic and simplistic, the focus clearly on multiplayer.

This time Nintendo have gone for relatively fair balancing. They want the campaign experience to be as memorable and enjoyable as the multiplayer. They’re eager for people to play and after the success of Octo Expansion, they’ve clearly taken many cues from that to ensure it sticks.

Coupled with more of a story this time around, your custom Octoling swims through a series of challenges in several different areas within Altering, unlocking Power Eggs which can be used to clean up the corruption blocking your path. Aside from trying to clean things up, you’re also on a rescue mission for Gramps, your guide, who was abducted. On top of that, you’re on something of a treasure hunt as you compete with Splatoon’s favourite hosts.

The story isn’t meant to be completed in one sitting – while there is variety, the makeup of the campaign remains very familiar as you dive into more and more kettles. But that’s also the beauty of it as it also helps harness your skills, while giving you something to do to break up the multiplayer grind.

It does feel a lot more in line with a campaign you’d expect from a Nintendo game, though, and not something tacked on to fill up a mostly multiplayer experience. That gives Splatoon 3 much more longevity and enjoyability than any of its predecessors, especially when you approach some of the trickier challenges and even try out some of the boss battles. Trust me, you should.

The creativity is in free-flow now and that’s because the franchise has had an opportunity to grow, evolve, develop and really find itself. Where the second game was the best multiplayer experience Nintendo had ever done, Splatoon 3 is even more refined, polished and of high quality. Since Splatoon 2, of course, there’s been many major online titles on Switch like Fortnite, Apex Legends, now Overwatch 2, but Splatoon 3 show that Nintendo also know how to build a high quality, all rounded, well maintained multiplayer game.

Well, aside from the Voice Chat functionality that requires you to download an app. Yep, still a thing. Maybe Nintendo’s next console will get Discord support, eh?

The game does sport new content, though. There’s brand new weapons to try and master which will obviously make Turf Wars a more interesting, dynamic experience. The Tri-Stinger, for instance, is a crossbow with a twist. You can shoot three splats at once horizontally and if you jump you can do it vertically. Or, if you’re a bit of a risk taker, you can hold it down for longer for one big power shot.

Then there’s the Tri-Zooka which lets out an almighty projectile blast of Ink and even the Ink-Vac which sucks up enemy ink. A very tactical weapon if I ever did see one. There’s lots more strategies to think about now as Nintendo cast off the creative shackles and really let this game fulfil its potential.

Of course there’s new maps, too. 12 in total now, 5 of which are new. We’ll almost certainly get more post launch as well but there’s familiar haunts to revisit and new areas to master, mostly all balanced and well-proportioned.

Tableturf Battle, meanwhile, is one for the long-term with multiplayer coming at a later date. As you’re facing AI, it’s just another way to break up your time in-between the campaigns and multiplayer but it doesn’t just follow the footsteps of your Hearthstone or Gwent either.

You take it in turns to, of course, ink a battlefield. Each card has different properties, range and turf control which you factor in as you try to slot them against your opponents run of play, almost like competing Tetris blocks.

The winner is the one who dominates the board, very much in the same way as Turf War. If it sounds good fun, it’s because it is good fun, and you know for a fact it’ll come into its own at a later date. This is just the practice and warmup, which is all pretty exciting!

Splatoon 3 is a generous offering at launch, then, with a host of things to see and do. It absolutely gleams on Switch OLED in ways 2 never did, and it’s already been confirmed the game has two years of post-launch support to come. Nintendo have big plans for the Octolings and I don’t see me taking it off my Switch’s home screen anytime soon. It’s just too much fun!

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Verdict

Splatoon 3 is pure joy in a video game. It gives you a dose of the familiar, splicing it with the new and giving it all a sparkling coat of paint. It’s a complete package that will continue to delight for years to come with updates and additions. Without question, this is the defining game in the franchise and one that is sure to provide an exciting, interesting and bold new future. 

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Pros

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Splatoon 3 is out now on Nintendo Switch

Code Kindly Provided by Nintendo