REVIEW: ‘Splatoon 3’ is Almost Flawlessly Fun (Switch)

Splatoon 3 is Nintendo‘s latest major title, one that’s been highly anticipated for some time now, mainly because the last installment was over five years ago. While the third game is my introduction to the series, I must say that it’s been a great first impression as after playing through the game, I’ve concluded that it accomplishes almost everything it sets out to.

At the start of the game, players are first prompted to create and customize their character and little companion with the great albeit limited number of customization options. They are then seamlessly pushed into The Crater, the first area in the game that serves as a tutorial location for players to familiarize themselves with the game’s many gameplay elements. After playing through each mission in the area and fighting a boss, players are then dropped into Alterna, the game’s second area where the bulk of the campaign occurs.

In terms of narrative, Splatoon 3′s story is fun but ultimately shallow. Like in other games, the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Earth where you, a member of the evolved squid race that now populate the world, are new to Splitsville and are quickly recruited in the Squidbeak Splatoon as Agent 3 by an elderly Squid called Cuttlefish. You are then tasked to fight off the Octarians (the platoon’s natural enemies) and unlock areas covered in the Octarians’ fuzzy ooze with the help of your little companion Small Fry and some energy balls gained from completing missions.

Things then get more interesting with the introduction of the Splatlands idols called Deep Cut, who pose an additional threat to you and the Squidbeak Splatoon. Instead of your usual grand plot with exposition, character development, and tense moments, the game opts for a more lighthearted but enjoyable story, with the lore taking a backseat through collectible logs scattered around the game’s world. 

The gameplay in Splatoon 3 is satisfyingly swift and fun. Players will constantly be on the move splatting their ink around the floor for quick mobility in the squid form, shooting enemies with a range of unique weapons, traversing platforming sections, and more. There is no shortage of things to do in the game, especially in its campaign mode, as it offers tons of varying levels known as “Kettles.” Each level offers something unique and a different goal each time, with the tools to tackle needed also changing depending on said level. It’s also worth mentioning that each Kettle can be replayed repeatedly in order to get the best completion time possible.

There are levels solely to test the player’s platforming skills, one of which includes using a frog-themed grappling hook (that comes with its own outfit) to move across high walls. There are also levels that test players’ puzzle-solving skills by having them look for scattered keys to unlock the end goal, as well as well-rounded levels that include a bit of everything. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the fantastic boss fights, which are almost objectively one of the game’s many highlights. I initially didn’t expect Splatoon 3 to be challenging at all. I’m glad that I was wrong, however, as each boss fight provides its own unique ways of testing players’ skills, specifically their motor skills, through some high-octane, incredibly demanding fights.

Then there is the online/multiplayer features which provide an almost entirely different world of content compared to the campaign, provided you have an active Nintendo Online subscription. The game offers a ton of multiplayer content both competitive and co-operative, like the standard Turf War mode, where players compete to ink up the most territory, Splat Zones, where teams capture and control an area, the capture-the-flag Rainmaker mode, and the aptly named Tower Control mode. Additionally, players will have to rank up in some of these modes in order to unlock new weapons and other modes. There’s also a slew of weapons, sub-weapons, and super abilities for players to use, as well as twelve maps, five of which are new.

However, my favorite part of Splatoon 3 is the impeccable visual aesthetics. The graphics are excellent, with highly detailed models, superb environmental designs, and overall impeccable art direction. The character designs are also immensely vibrant and intricate, and many of the fashion designs on the characters are just insane. The game’s soundtrack is also nothing to scoff at, but most of its best tracks can be heard during the boss fights. While Splatoon 3 is a well-crafted and enjoyable game, I still have a few gripes with it, like the character’s slow movement speed when not moving through ink in your squid form and the minimal upgrade tree. Other than that, Splatoon 3 is a well-crafted game that provides a highly enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers to the franchise. While the campaign isn’t long at about 8-10 hours, it still sports a good amount of varied content with a multiplayer mode that’ll keep you engaged for hours on end.

Splatoon 3 is out now for Nintendo Switch.