Splatoon Raiders, a new third-person shooter from Nintendo, offers a "hectic, often overwhelming delight" by piling on enemies and prioritizing "apocalyptic simplicity." This series offshoot takes the Player vs. Environment (PvE) mode found in previous Splatoon titles, known as Salmon Run, and expands it into a standalone experience. The core gameplay loop involves dropping into levels, eliminating a high volume of enemies, and collecting any dropped trinkets. The game is described as "bloodthirsty" and so fast-paced that the camera sometimes struggles to keep up, a characteristic that developer Nintendo embraces.
In Splatoon Raiders, players are tasked with exploring various environments, from archipelagos to cave networks, to hunt for treasure. The player's base of operations is a makeshift raft where they can sort through collected winnings and upgrade weapons and abilities. The objective is straightforward: leave the base to hunt and kill, gather loot, and return to base to improve your capacity for killing. The game supports solo play or co-op with up to three friends, both online and via local wireless connections.
The ink mechanics, a staple of the Splatoon series, are central to Raiders. Ink serves as ammunition for various weapons, but it also coats surfaces. Players can transform into squid form when on surfaces covered in their ink, allowing for stealth, faster movement, and ammunition replenishment. This mechanic encourages players to constantly paint the environment, even in the absence of direct territory capture objectives found in the main Splatoon games. Player ink slows enemies, while enemy ink impedes the player.
Combat in Splatoon Raiders involves a diverse arsenal, including rapid-fire weapons like twin pistols and machine guns, alongside more specialized tools like paint rollers and a precision paint brush. Many of these weapons carry a learning curve, and the game's rapid pace often encourages players to stick with more accessible options. Enemies, many of whom return from Salmon Run, range from standard threats to larger, more complex adversaries like mechanical eels and tower-like creatures. The game's environments are characterized by a "post-industrial wasteland" aesthetic, described as "wonderfully grim."
Enemies spawn in waves, contributing to the game's relentless pace. Incoming damage typically does not interrupt player actions, leading to moments where players may not realize they are taking significant damage until it's too late. This design choice fosters a constant sense of forward momentum, drawing comparisons to the recent Doom games. Beyond traditional weapons, players utilize an ink tank on their back with unique special abilities, as well as relics for perks and gadgets for special moves. These customizable elements can be found as loot or upgraded back at the base.
Players are also accompanied by a CPU-controlled companion mech. This mech can grant a double-jump and unleash a special attack, powered by collecting orange eggs dropped by enemies. Both the mech and its special attack can be leveled up and customized. Mission types vary, often involving clearing out nodes for the mech to drill for treasure or navigating timed underground chambers. While some levels present puzzle-like challenges requiring specific arsenal usage, the core experience remains focused on combat and survival.
Splatoon Raiders also includes accessibility options such as the ability to disable motion controls for camera movement, adjustable motion sensitivity, and the option to lock ink colors for better visibility. Ultimately, Splatoon Raiders is praised for its "youthful confidence" and its commitment to "apocalyptic simplicity," offering a thrilling, action-packed experience that embraces its own chaotic energy.