Splatoon 2

An improvement in nearly every way on one of Nintendo's finest games in years, Splatoon 2 is only let down by a lack of big new ideas. [Recommended]

For players who enjoyed the first game, Splatoon 2 is not a reinvention, but it doesn’t have to be. It adds here and there, retaining what was best about the cheerful original while giving it a graphical upgrade and portability. Splatoon 2, at its best, is still Nintendo with confidence and flair.

This is a game that draws so much inspiration from the vitality and spirit of connected culture, and it does so in such a real, genuine way. Seeing it continue to fumble with these tiny annoyances, many of which are seemingly owed to Nintendo’s continued inability to really figure out online gaming, is dispiriting. They by no means ruin an important, unique take on multiplayer, but they’re getting harder to forgive.

The single-player campaign feels more robust, with inventive, puzzle-like levels and challenging boss battles. There are also some useful new weapons, including my personal favorite, a pair of paint pistols you can dual-wield. There’s new clothing and gear to buy, and overall the game looks much more vibrant and detailed. I found myself stopping in levels just to ogle the scenery.

And in a world where boss battles are, with the exception of Souls-like games, seemingly falling out of vogue, Splatoon 2 makes an argument it's only because of lacking creativity. Each of the game's five worlds hides a wholly unique monstrosity, demanding players exploit the game's mechanics in a different way. Even if Nintendo hadn't asked me to keep quiet about the nature of the Splatoon 2's bosses (in the third world and beyond) I'd still be loathe to spoil the game's best surprises.