Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion

The Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion never lacks in the sheer spectacle of its creativity. It’s Nintendo at its best, for sure, taking what we have come to expect from Splatoon 2’s core experience only to throw the rulebook out the window to astound with freshly inked ideas. More, please.

With some truly inspiring level design and interesting mechanics at play, Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion DLC pack gives fans some real bang for their buck.

This may be an expansion for a game that is essentially a multiplayer experience, but the solo campaign is the real attraction in Octo Expansion. If you couldn’t get into the multiplayer, give this a try.

Octo Expansion is an amazing contribution to Splatoon 2's campaign and it brings an additional set of compelling and demanding challenges that will make even the series' best players feel pushed to their limits. Addictive and with a lifespan that builds on the magnificent game that is Splatoon 2, Octo Expansion is unmissable for any fan of Nintendo's shooter.

A masterclass in how to do DLC right. It fits in perfectly with the standalone game, provides a heap of tailor-made content and furthers the story of the Inklings’ and Octolings’ world effortlessly and beautifully. As a single player experience it outmatches the standard Octo Canyon mode significantly, and even though it does allow players to acquire exclusive items, it manages to avoid affecting any of the mechanics of online play, so non-purchasers will never be at a disadvantage. If you’re a fan of Splatoon in any capacity and you want more to sink your beak into, Octo Expansion is an unwavering must-have.

Octo is an excellent expansion, even better than the original game campaign if you are looking for a really stiff challenge.

Octo Expansion throws plenty of both fun and serious challenges at you, between its expansive amount of levels and a multi-tiered finale that doesn’t disappoint. These trials provide worthy so many challenges for those who wish to hone their mechanical skills for upcoming multiplayer matches, that I wish this had been Splatoon 2’s base campaign all along.

The Splatoon 2: Octo expansion convinces with great new ideas and a lot of variety, but still lacks a "real" story.

Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion is a reminder of how good the series’ single-player content can be. Brimming with tense, precision-based challenges and creative ways to force you out of your gameplay comfort zone, Octo Expansion is a terrific reason to once again take the plunge into Splatoon 2.

The Octo Expansion is exactly what a DLC add-on is supposed to be: a unique view on known mechanics. There are eighty creative and tough missions to enjoy, with multiplayerbonuses that are fun.

Arguably the best expansion Nintendo has ever made. The Splatoon universe receives the single player campaign it deserves; furthermore, its 80 levels are so difficult to complete and satisfying. If you own Splatoon 2, you should take a look at this DLC.

Octo Expansion does what it needs to by keeping Splatoon 2 fresh.

Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion is a great DLC for anyone who liked the single player campaign and wanted more. There are so many levels, different challenges, dramatic cutscenes and new gameplay ideas, while the new retrowave soundtrack has some of the best songs in the entire series.

This is surely Nintendo's finest piece of DLC to date. [Issue#322, p.118]

While the fact that it's a modular design could be equated with laziness for some, Nintendo deserves credit for producing something robust and unforgiving that will test even the most dedicated of fans.

Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion serves up something that is satisfying, challenging and entertaining in equal measure. It won’t redefine the core game, and you’ll probably finish it in a week, but it’s joyous exuberance more than makes up for it. A must for any Splatoon fan.

The Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2 offers some thrilling challenges for players to complete, while also feeling familiar at the same time. The new stages are harder then before, but with enough skill you'll have no problem reaching the finish line.

The Octo Expansion is a substantial DLC focused on single player campaign with great level design. Although the Autopass button is bad for players keeping passion to challenge, the DLC still successfully keeps Splatoon 2 fresh.

Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion is a tough new addition to the game, and one that all fans should rush back to play.

A single-player expansion for Splatoon 2 may not seem a particularly appealing idea but this inspired slice of DLC expands the whole franchise in a number of surprising ways.

Overall, Octo Expansion is an absolute steal. At $20, you’re getting a very creative and engaging campaign that expands the world of Splatoon 2 with diverse gameplay, although a small portion of these levels feels like monotonous filler. Luckily, the ability to skip them mitigates this issue, but does little to assuage the fact that the majority of the bosses are rehashes.

If the Octo Expansion’s subway was designed as an allegory for limbo and purgatory, it’s a damn good one, and I’d like more train rides like this one, please.

Don't go into this expecting the next step in the evolution of Splatoon. This one's more of a detour. [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 20]

Challenging and well-designed, Octo Expansion is a nice add-on for the players that are looking for something new in Splatoon 2. And you can play it while offline, so it's perfect to take with you on the go. Just keep in mind that you can't throw your Joy-Cons away while trying to complete a stage for the tenth time.

The Octo Expansion is not just the addition to the single player campaign of Splatoon 2 that we could legitimately expect: in the 80 levels of this pay-as-you-go DLC there is a noticeable increase in the challenge rate, with a difficulty that is not always very balanced to appease the most "shrimp" fans but also to put a strain on the nerves of the less hardcore splitters.

A nice improvement over the single player portion of the game, but this DLC doesn't does enough in every other part of the game to be really important.

The Octo Expansion is what everybody should do, when it comes to DLC. Single-player minded, it offers a smart challenge with an increasing difficulty, and many good ideas, spilt in 80 new levels.

One year after its original release, Splatoon 2 finally gets the one-player mode it deserves. With 80 brand new challenges, the Octo Expansion bring some fresh air and almost transforms the franchise into a solo adventure. Its tough difficulty may sometimes seem too much, but its bribe system will forbid anyone to be stuck forever. Get ready to build up your skill, but only when a sale period might make this DLC more affordable.