Splatoon first debuted on Nintendo’s Wii U. While the Wii U console was considered a flop, games like Mario Maker and Splatoon lived up to gamers’ expectations.
The first Splatoon received positive reviews upon its release. With critics praising Nintendo’s decision to enter the genre with a new franchise, the game’s overall style and presentation gave new hope to the troubled company. Splatoon debuted at either No. 1 or No. 2 on major countries in software sales chart in the week it launched. It’s the fifth fastest-selling Wii U game and the fastest-selling new intellectual property on the console.
With its success, Nintendo is bringing Splatoon to its wildly new Nintendo Switch console. Splatoon 2 will arrive in less than two weeks.
A Third-Person Shooter For All Ages
Like its predecessor, Splatoon 2 is a multiplayer third-person shooter where players control characters known as Inklings and use colored ink to attack opponents and clear goals. Sounds kid-friendly, right? It’s definitely that, though Splatoon is heavy on style and character that adults will also appreciate.
Rather than annihilating other players, Splatoon’s main goal is putting as much ink on the map as possible. Whichever team “paints” more stuff wins. You can cover your opponents’ ink area with your own and you can take down enemies by covering them in a paint. Players join matches wielding a primary ink weapon, each with differing statistics and traits, and a secondary attack such as ink-filled balloons, sprinklers, and disruptive fields.
Players also have a special attack that can be charged by covering enough ground with ink. As a bonus of using paint as the main projectile, aiming is somewhat less important because of paint splatters. This is one of many tiny details that make the game unique.
Movement is unique and is a major part of gameplay. Since all the characters are a hybrid of human and squid, you’re able to morph into and “swim” through the player’s ink area on the map. This lets you hide from the enemy and replenish your ink supply in the process. Anyone who’s played a third-person shooter will immediately feel at home in Splatoon, but both newcomers and veterans alike will find plenty that’s fresh and delightful in the game.
New Features
The sequel adds a sub and special weapons to the game that allows players to perform dodge rolls and jetpacks. While there will be returning Main and Sub weapons alongside new ones, all of the Specials in Splatoon 2 are entirely new. Like the previous game, the sequel features the Turf War modes for Regular Battles, Tower Control, and Rainmaker modes for Ranked Battles which are now ranked individually.
League Battles allow players to form teams with friends. A new mode, Salmon Run, allows up to four players to team up cooperatively to tackle waves of enemies. The game will once again feature a single-player campaign, Hero Mode, in which the player must battle through various levels fighting the evil Octarians.
Players can play multiplayer online or play locally. However, the latter requires multiple consoles and copies of the game. The game also features LAN support with a LAN Adapter accessory for local private tournaments. The game will support Amiibo figures, which allow players to store their Inkling’s custom look and unlock additional content.
Nintendo also reconfirmed that some stages from the first Splatoon will be returning in Splatoon 2. Additionally, an updated version of Moray Towers will be added and Port Mackerel will make a comeback. There are at least 10 multiplayer maps in Splatoon 2 and it’s likely that Nintendo will add more soon.
For Those Who Cannot Wait
The first ever Splatoon 2 Splatfest will kick off this weekend before the game is even out! The Splatfest World Premiere demo is now available to download from the Nintendo Switch eShop. You can play the demo now before the event and pick your team. Here in the U.S, the Splatoon 2 demo runs from 3-7 p.m. PT or 6-10 p.m. ET. The U.K will have the Splatfest from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. that same night.
