Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion

 Switch
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 248 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 212 out of 248
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 248
  3. Negative: 25 out of 248

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. VideoGameLover
    Jun 18, 2018
    10
    Wow WOW, just WOW! I am a huge fan of Splatoon, since Splatoon one. Really like the single player campaigns on both, though the 2nd one felt stale.

    Well, let me tell you, OE is fantastic! Tough. Innovative. Deep. LONG (20-30 hours). And, some of the greatest boss sequences ever created for the series (the 7 Phase series at the end is friggin fantastic! Very "portal-like". )    Wow WOW, just WOW! I am a huge fan of Splatoon, since Splatoon one. Really like the single player campaigns on both, though the 2nd one felt stale.

    Well, let me tell you, OE is fantastic! Tough. Innovative. Deep. LONG (20-30 hours). And, some of the greatest boss sequences ever created for the series (the 7 Phase series at the end is friggin fantastic! Very "portal-like". ) There are many levels that would make great games on their own (talking to you SQUID BILLIARDS level!)

    And the prizes you get for $20, including getting to play as an Octoling in cool new sassy wardrobe is worth the price alone.

    No-brainer. Buy this. (And ignore the stupid 0 score(s) below, put up by angry trolls looking for attention. Even if you do not like this game, giving it a 0 shows you have not played it, as presentation, writing, music, etc shows a lot of love was put into this game.)    … Expand
  2. he110me
    Jun 16, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing DLC that's worth every penny. Got me ~10hrs of gameplay, all of which I heavily enjoyed. The missions in this expansion are MUCH tougher than the vanilla campaign, so prepare to die. alot.

    The story is also well-written, though it went in a different direction than I expected. The story seems to take place in parallel with Splatoon 2's campaign, so there's no Callie or Marie anywhere in it. We learn very little about Octo society, though the reasoning for Octos being accepted in Inkopolis is explained in the background. One thing that surprised me was that nobody knew that Marina is an Octoling; Pearl and the rest of Inkopolis thought Marina was an Inkling up to the events of the expansion. We learn about Marina's past and the formation of Off the Hook through text dialogues that are sprinkled in as you play through the levels.    … Expand
  3. LucaY
    Jun 18, 2018
    10
    Octo expansion is amazing fun. Every level has been amazing fun with them all being unique and extremely fun. This also goes deep into the lore of splatoon. With 80 levels, a wide rang of replay value and every level feeling unique it is worth your money.
  4. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    9
    Maybe if this game wasn't so hard and maybe if the 8-Ball would just gO WHERE I TELL IT-
  5. CEREAL_SoUp
    Jun 17, 2022
    10
    Chef's kiss, this DLC is AMAZING Packed with content some replayability, Nintendo should really make more single player games/DLC/Campaign like this, it's fun and at times challenging. A really nice change to the bad singleplayer in the base game (Splatoon 2). Honestly if you have Splatoon 2 and you are considering buying it, Just do it! Amazing must-buy for Splatoon fans/players. I gotChef's kiss, this DLC is AMAZING Packed with content some replayability, Nintendo should really make more single player games/DLC/Campaign like this, it's fun and at times challenging. A really nice change to the bad singleplayer in the base game (Splatoon 2). Honestly if you have Splatoon 2 and you are considering buying it, Just do it! Amazing must-buy for Splatoon fans/players. I got this DLC in early 2021 and I have Had fun with it ever since.

    WARNING: If you do not like difficult levels DON'T play the secret boss it almost made me cry twice (of frustration)    … Expand
  6. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    10
    the best DLC. this is so good. the new weapons are fresh and delicious WHOOMMY
  7. ANKPlays
    Jun 14, 2018
    10
    Absolutely ink-redible DLC! An amazing attribute to Splatoon 2! Much better than the games actual story, with fun and enticing gameplay, an interesting story, and difficult levels. Worth every penny!
  8. Cfgk24
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    Beautifully crafted expansion. No, it's not easy - People would have complained if it was easy. There are easier levels to help you build up points to attempt the harder levels.
    Art style, Sound and music - Gameplay physics engage you - 10/10 must have
  9. Grease
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    THIS is how you do a DLC. Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2 is truly the masterclass of what makes a fun and worthwhile DLC pack. (no spoilers here)

    Octo Expansion is a lore and gameplay heavy single-player DLC update. Splatoon 2 already has a single player campaign but it is disappointingly short and much like a glorified tutorial for beginning players. Octo Expansion rectifies this and    THIS is how you do a DLC. Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2 is truly the masterclass of what makes a fun and worthwhile DLC pack. (no spoilers here)

    Octo Expansion is a lore and gameplay heavy single-player DLC update. Splatoon 2 already has a single player campaign but it is disappointingly short and much like a glorified tutorial for beginning players. Octo Expansion rectifies this and shows us all what SHOULD have been in the game from the very start.

    For the first time ever, Octo Expansions protagonist is an octoling, a nemesis to the inklings. Waking up after being kidnapped and unconscious, Agent 8 (us) wakes up without her memories in an abandoned metro subway station. Our old friend Gramps being the only assistance. The goal is to work your way through over 80 levels to reach "the promised land" and to located agent 3 along the way.

    The level design in this game is truly astonishing. Unlike the traditional travel to the goal style levels, there are a variety of stage designs with multiple objectives, such as destroying targets, transporting items, dodging enemy shots and even making pictures out of boxes. The variety amongst the 80 levels are stunning and you can travel between each one seamlessly. Each level is connected via train lines, simply opening the subway map and picking the level you want will take you to the "Test facilities" as the levels are a test to see if agent 8 is worthy. Although you naturally dont have complete access to every single level straight away, you get a variety of level choices as once you complete a level you have access to surrounding ones on that line. Each level will usually give you a choice of weapon allowing you to practice and have fun using weapons you would never usually try out in multiplayer matches, an opportunity the other single player does not give us. Some levels will also consist of using special and sub weapons only to strengthen skills in that area. Levels vary in length some taking as short as 30 seconds to around 10 minutes. 80 Levels is severely overwhelming however especially if you are only in the expansion for the lore as the lore only starts getting good once in the final few areas of the game. This is perfectly redeemed by allowing you to complete the final boss and levels prematurely. By finding "the four thangs" scattered across the metro you are able to progress past the 80 levels and into the final segments (no spoilers here i promised remember?). You are able to return to complete everything you left afterwards. This is great for the people who want to save some levels for summer holidays or when they're without internet connection.

    If you are lore hungry and wanna do all 80 levels before final boss as the ultimate completionist no fear, there are two forms of lore across the expansion levels. as shown by nintendo, collectibles named mem cakes are presented to you at the end of each level, they hold a riddle within each one and if you trade them into a certain characrer you can receive some amazing prizes. The second form is in chat rooms. The two glamarous gals marina and pearl will also be guiding you through the deepsea metro and every so often will drop a chat log for you to read which will expose some secrets and juicy information on Off the hook and the squid sisters.

    The boss fights to avoid spoilers i wont talk much about but let me tell you one thing. Some of the ingame boss fights may possibly be some of nintendos most extreme bosses in their history.

    Unlike the news reports and other dialogue exchanges in splatoon, Octo Expansion somehow makes the characters feel real and not just programmed game characters, there's a certain way in the language and text that makes you feel deeper in bond with everyone than ever before and that's really something special

    Each aspect of the Octo Expansion is unique and gives you something new constantly, it doesnt get tiring and thats great because its really long if you decide to do everything.
    The music is also some of the best from the franchise including some great bops that will make you drop your controller and do a little dance whereever your standing, any time, any place with any one.

    Like nintendo stated the prizes for octo expansion are insane, playable octolings are functional and blend in well, all the gear and weapons suit them and they feel at home in inkopolis, there's something special about being the only octoling in a multiplayer match and being able to say, "im top dog". the only downside which is no nintendos fault but players will often squidbag around you if you're an octoling trying to get you to notice them in their puny squid form.

    Octo expansion $20, with most levels being extended to about 5-10 minutes, octo expansion could be a standalone game. $20 is utterly worth this masterpiece of a DLC update. Words do not give this insane creation justice. all games and companies take heed. Because Octo Expansion is EXACTLY how DLC is done right    … Expand
  10. Daisy1234
    Jun 14, 2018
    9
    It is extremely fun and has expanded a lot on the normal single player which is just plain easy, it can be annoying at sometimes but it makes it that much better when you succeed.
  11. Hakros323
    Jun 14, 2018
    9
    It's everything I wanted the single player and more. My biggest problem was how easy the normal single player was and how it contributed little to the lore. This pretty much improves everything that mode had. The story is more interesting and the levels are harder, but more creative. I like how they managed to incorporate Tower Control and Rain Maker as levels. Plus If you're strugglingIt's everything I wanted the single player and more. My biggest problem was how easy the normal single player was and how it contributed little to the lore. This pretty much improves everything that mode had. The story is more interesting and the levels are harder, but more creative. I like how they managed to incorporate Tower Control and Rain Maker as levels. Plus If you're struggling too much on a level, you can always skip it.

    Finally, I love how this expansion gave Off the Hook more character.    … Expand
  12. SheepSlayer
    Jun 16, 2018
    8
    Awesome level design, more lore and fun for both casuals and pros. With a mix of medium to hard levels, the Octo Expansion manages to have a challenge based system with story and lore that are surprisingly deep. reward for both playing through the "story" and 100% completion feels worth it. My main issue is the price point, it might be a bit much, but if you want more Splatoon 2 it isAwesome level design, more lore and fun for both casuals and pros. With a mix of medium to hard levels, the Octo Expansion manages to have a challenge based system with story and lore that are surprisingly deep. reward for both playing through the "story" and 100% completion feels worth it. My main issue is the price point, it might be a bit much, but if you want more Splatoon 2 it is worth every penny.… Expand
  13. Enjineer
    Jun 18, 2018
    9
    When I first tried Octo Canyon in Splatoon 2, I was quickly bored of it and didn't come back to it after first trying it. With the Octo Expansion, I've been hooked from the moment I first started the expansion after getting it. It's more challenging, expands on the story, and brings a wider variety of levels to be experienced, along with being longer than the base campaign. Definitely aWhen I first tried Octo Canyon in Splatoon 2, I was quickly bored of it and didn't come back to it after first trying it. With the Octo Expansion, I've been hooked from the moment I first started the expansion after getting it. It's more challenging, expands on the story, and brings a wider variety of levels to be experienced, along with being longer than the base campaign. Definitely a must-own for Splatoon 2 fans hungry for more singleplayer content.

    Oh, and I didn't even mention that the music is absolutely fantastic.    … Expand
  14. EduardoAbr
    Jun 16, 2018
    9
    The Octo expansion brought to Splatoon 2 a new single player mode, which uses several mechanics, new or already existing in the game, to create extremely challenging levels. In it there are the introduction of several new characters, and the introduction of Marina and Pearl in history. There is a strong link between the characters already present in the game and the new ones from the OctoThe Octo expansion brought to Splatoon 2 a new single player mode, which uses several mechanics, new or already existing in the game, to create extremely challenging levels. In it there are the introduction of several new characters, and the introduction of Marina and Pearl in history. There is a strong link between the characters already present in the game and the new ones from the Octo Expansion. this is a nice example of how to make a dlc creating new mechanics and using the already present in the game, to make a story mode extremely fun and challenging, making paying 20 dollars extra stop being a bad thing.… Expand
  15. Misterdude
    Jun 17, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The expansion was very creative though I am a little worried that inklings didn’t know that marina was a octoling. The secret final boss was hell, 3 times the normal health of an ink/octoling. Over all it was a good dlc but suriously nintindo nerf that boss. Just do it. I’m waiting.… Expand
  16. ZeoN
    Sep 6, 2019
    10
    Una de las mejores expansiones que ha hecho nunca Nintendo.
    80 niveles nuevos unidos a una nueva y muy buena historia en las profundidades de este maravilloso universo. Supera a la campaña principal del videojuego en muchísimos apartados, y el diseño de niveles y la banda sonora no son la excepción.
  17. Videogamer0615
    Jan 2, 2019
    10
    Almost perfect! (inner agent 3 is what's bad about it!) With over 80 missions, this is a DLC to remember! Girl power station, move it move it station being examples of hard, but fun! All I-I mean most are like this. hard, but amazing!
  18. antoine447
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    The dlc is an amazing, fun and challenging experience. The story is great. I do however recommend this to experienced splatoon players because some challenges are very difficult. I also recommend to play all 80 challenges because it's very satisfying in the end. I give this game 8/8.
  19. cube2kids
    Feb 13, 2020
    10
    For just the game itself, I would put a 9/10
    But thè final "secret" boss is just a bad boys that cheat you, is not funn to fight. I have spend a horrible time beating it
  20. LsSiel
    Apr 27, 2020
    10
    Qué juego tan más bueno y disfrutable. Me causó dolores de cabeza y una gran frustración, pero al mismo tiempo me compensaba con grandes desafíos. Cada nivel está bien pensado y realmente te dará buenos momentos.
  21. inenai
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    This DLC is actually what Splatoon 2 could have been. It introduces the single-player story mode that is actually completely different to that of Splatoon 1, it introduces Octolings (finally!) and missions so difficult that it will keep you entertained for several hours! The aesthetics, the immersion, the music and sound design, the characters, the whole concept of this DLC builds aThis DLC is actually what Splatoon 2 could have been. It introduces the single-player story mode that is actually completely different to that of Splatoon 1, it introduces Octolings (finally!) and missions so difficult that it will keep you entertained for several hours! The aesthetics, the immersion, the music and sound design, the characters, the whole concept of this DLC builds a micro-universe within the already original and outstanding world of Splatoon, the puzzle design is clever and challenging, it has collectibles and re-playability for completionists to dive in, and it rewards you with the best of prizes once you beat it. It adds cutscenes to the game, giving Pearl and Marina even more screen time and allowing the player to get to know them and their back story much better- it is what Splatoon 2's single player mode should have been all about in the first place- and even then I feel it was worth the money, as Splatoon 2 as a standalone multiplayer game is good enough as it is.… Expand
  22. kamhagh
    Feb 24, 2019
    8
    The challenges are very hard sometimes!

    it has a lot of difficulty spikes.

    if you're here just to play as the octolings you can skip a lot of them easily, but I think it's overall nice!!

    sadly very very short.

    don't expect much story and lore from this!
  23. hime
    Jul 18, 2018
    9
    Всё хорошо, только со сложностью очень уж переборщили.
  24. Kartchampion05
    Oct 7, 2018
    10
    This expansion pack is the best experience I've ever had playing Splatoon (2), and I have 800 hours in both games combined. While I could write you a 5-page essay on what Nintendo could and should have done better in the base game(s), I fail to see just a single flaw in this DLC, it feels like a beautiful, well rounded and even emotional experience wrapped inside interesting and highlyThis expansion pack is the best experience I've ever had playing Splatoon (2), and I have 800 hours in both games combined. While I could write you a 5-page essay on what Nintendo could and should have done better in the base game(s), I fail to see just a single flaw in this DLC, it feels like a beautiful, well rounded and even emotional experience wrapped inside interesting and highly creative gameplay, this isn't just a linear storyline, you can forge your own unique path through the levels, which (while being super irritating for when you want to watch let's plays but haven't finished the story yet) is a genius approach to story-based games which should be adopted by every game in the genre in some way or form. I will, however, add that if you have no interest in Splatoon's lore, this might not be your cup of tea, while the levels are very fun and interesting, you do definitely get a lot of story, which might not interest everyone, for me personally, I couldn't get enough of it, but that might just be me. Oh and have I said about the music and art style yet? SOOO GOOD!… Expand
  25. Daniel_64
    Mar 10, 2019
    10
    This is DLC done right! Splatoon 2 Octo expansion was announced and released a year after the games launch and was advertised as a single player experience. When playing splatoon 2’s single player campaign to the end you can see it’s lacking in some areas. (For example all the missions are point A to point B.) However with splatoon 2 octo expansion all the missions are all different butThis is DLC done right! Splatoon 2 Octo expansion was announced and released a year after the games launch and was advertised as a single player experience. When playing splatoon 2’s single player campaign to the end you can see it’s lacking in some areas. (For example all the missions are point A to point B.) However with splatoon 2 octo expansion all the missions are all different but with a catch, they are much much shorter. This level design is preferred due to the increased difficulty and that there are more missions (80+). If the difficulty is too hard and you want to get your money’s worth at the end you can always skip missions. (Even the final boss.) so anyone can finish it. Overall splatoon 2’s octo expansion is a great example of good dlc and fan service to the fans who have wanted playable octolings since splatoon 1.… Expand
  26. Shapiro94
    Jul 14, 2018
    10
    Octo expansion is amazing fun it's a great experience, Much better than the games actual story
  27. GumVonSchweetz
    Feb 28, 2019
    9
    A good DLC. It tells you some background stories about your favourite characters. Also those octolings are cool. At first i thought it's almost impossible to beat this DLC but it's actually not that hard. Just collect enough points on easy levels and skip hard ones to find those 4 details (or whatever they are called). Yeah, some of those levels are easy as hell. But some of them are sooooA good DLC. It tells you some background stories about your favourite characters. Also those octolings are cool. At first i thought it's almost impossible to beat this DLC but it's actually not that hard. Just collect enough points on easy levels and skip hard ones to find those 4 details (or whatever they are called). Yeah, some of those levels are easy as hell. But some of them are soooo hard. Those require so much accuracy from you. But i just skipped those with Off The Hook's help. ;D… Expand
  28. Gastly67
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    Su historia es brutal y compleja, con medida que vas jugando lo unico que eseperas es que jamas termine, su dificultad lo vuelve un desafio
  29. PikachuMaster
    Mar 2, 2021
    8
    Good game, well priced at £20, fun and hardcore levels, amazing soundtrack, frame rate is good, lots of creativity.
  30. AriBurdulis
    Sep 29, 2018
    9
    Hard, but really fun and offers a lot of variety. The music is amazing and the ending is great. If you own Splatoon 2, you'd better own this, too.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best Switch Game of 2018
26
#26 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Nintendo Insider
    Sep 20, 2018
    90
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 5, 2018
    75
    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]
  3. GamePro Germany
    Jul 30, 2018
    86
    The Splatoon 2: Octo expansion convinces with great new ideas and a lot of variety, but still lacks a "real" story.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »