Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Switch 2 Review

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Fast Facts

New Ink on the Block

Splatoon Raiders is the latest game in Nintendo’s franchise which started out on the WiiU. The franchise so far has focused on 4v4 multiplayer matches with variations on classic game modes which included Turf War, Tower Control, Splat Zones, Rainmaker, Clam Blitz and more. In the last numbered outing, Splatoon 3 added a co-operative mode called Salmon Run which became the basis for Splatoon Raiders *mostly* single player campaign.

Island World Tour

The world of Splatoon Raiders is very different when compared to Splatoon 2 and 3 which I’ve played and loved. In Splatoon Raiders, you play as the pilot, simply called The Mechanic, for Deep Cut, not an ‘Agent’ like in past Splatoon games. At the start of each mission you get the choice between one of the three Deep Cut members to take with you which aid in an added special ability.

Frye sends an army of eels that ink the ground similar Splatoon 2s Bomb Launcher special. Shiver rides a shark and sends an attack forward damaging incoming enemies. And Big Man lets you ride on top him and sends out a whirlwind of manta rays like bombs. Being able to choose which one to take on a mission to better the relationship from character to character is fantastic, it shows the personalities of the beloved singers and using them repeatedly will strengthen their special ability.

Raiding for Days

Each world/level is unique for each island and you must overcome the world and the Salmons you meet. The way to get to each mission is similar to Octo Expansion from Splatoon 2 where you have a ‘base’ and a ‘device’ to get from area to area. You get to choose where to Raid, yet not all of the map is unlocked. The dungeons are the most similar to how levels in Octo Expansion were where you have a select goal to complete without being able to choose what weapon is being used.

Ink Guns and Ships

When you start the game you select one of four avatar base design, two octolings and two inklings(I played as an octoling). The new weapon designs are very interesting and bring back many of the concepts from past Splatoon games, such as ink brushes, sloshers, splatana, and more. If you have played a past Splatoon game and had a favorite weapon, you should be able to find something that fits your play style. There’s the main weapon types from Splatoon 3 yet they look like they were made from real world materials and found items.

Shining, Shimmering, Salmonids

Splatoon Raiders is peak character design and one of the best looking Nintendo Switch 2 games to date. As said before, each level is unique and the graphics beautiful. The base itself is very detailed, even when you ink around a workstation and then use the station, the ink is still visible. The workstations themselves have a lot of detailed parts and items laying around giving it that lived-in feel. Overall the world detail, Salmonid visual upgrades, and the equipment you hold all look great and give Splatoon Raiders a top spot graphically on the Switch 2.

5 out of 5

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