Splatoon Raiders

I’ve never quite fully gotten to grips with the motion control move-the-Switch-around-to-aim system on top of the thumbstick physical in-game character movement. But it does its jobs well enough in this title not to be a complete nuisance.

Ultimately, as a first spin-off, Splatoon Raiders gets the job done by drawing inspiration from the Salmon Run mode while adding its own unique twist to the franchise's already excellent gameplay—though a more substantial story would have been welcome. That said, there is plenty of replayability thanks to various difficulty levels, which encourage players to aim for 100% completion or experiment with the many possible builds. Now, the question remains whether it is worth the €50 price tag. It all depends on what you look for in a Splatoon game. If you are after competitive multiplayer, this spin-off might not be for you; however, if you are interested in a single-player or cooperative experience, this title could certainly be worth your while.

As it stands, this is a solid and mechanically fun adventure game with some really clever, joyous battles to find across its layered map. A love for Splatoon will elevate the action significantly, with its light delivery of lore tidbits creating a string to pull yourself along. For those new to the Splatoon series, there might be more friction in its introduction, but the game’s best ideas are charming regardless, and its Octolings are quick to cement a spot in your heart.

It is a shame that the experience becomes far too repetitive for long stretches—especially when, at a couple of points, you are forced to do a bit of grinding just to be ready for the challenges of the adventure's final act. The sense that something is missing becomes even more apparent when contrasted with a couple of levels where the developers clearly aimed for more, creating non-linear environments that offer activities beyond the simple run-and-gun gameplay characterizing the rest of the campaign.

I just don’t feel much of a drive to play more of Splatoon Raiders. I had fun drowning all of those salmonids in ink. But just like them, I’ve had my fill.

By removing Turf War and transitioning to something pretty close to a first-person shooter, Nintendo has taken what makes the franchise unique and discarded it with Splatoon Raiders.

Splatoon Raiders is Splatoon through and through: the core gameplay, controls, and movement are as enjoyable as ever, while tanks, gadgets, and a Monster Hunter-inspired structure add a fresh twist. Yet beneath that solid foundation, repetitive missions, uninspired level design, and a lack of standout moments keep it from leaving a lasting impression. Like returning to the same campsite in France every summer, it's fun while it lasts, but familiar enough to fade from memory not long after the trip is over.

Splatoon Raiders is a game for everyone to have fun with, mainly thanks to the delightfully fluent gameplay and large number of options. Unfortunately, all that freedom doesn't make for a mechanically interesting game.