While Splatoon Raiders offers a compelling campaign and a wealth of collectible outfits, its limited fashion options stand in stark contrast to the series' established tradition of robust player customization. The game features nearly 40 collectible outfits, many of which are unlocked through normal gameplay such as upgrading weapons, completing story milestones, and clearing dungeons.
This limited approach to attire is a significant departure from previous Splatoon titles. The main multiplayer games in the series have historically allowed players to mix and match dozens of hats, tops, and shoes, fostering unique player expression and making it rare to see identical outfits. Splatoon 3 alone boasted over 300 distinct clothing items, providing a vast canvas for personalization.
Splatoon Raiders' fashion selections are restricted to single-piece outfits, eliminating the possibility of combining different clothing items. The under-40 total outfits are also characterized by a noticeable lack of variety, with many designs appearing similar, often featuring overalls, crop tops, repeating patterns, and a prevalence of camouflage. This uniformity is further compounded by a limited selection of hairstyles, with only 14 available compared to Splatoon 3's 24. While players can switch between Inkling and Octoling forms and change hairstyles at will, the restricted design choices remain a point of contention.
Though the game's island setting in Splatoon Raiders might offer a narrative justification for fewer clothing stores compared to the urban environments of previous entries, the critique notes that a looter-shooter format inherently emphasizes loot and collection. The presence of rare in-game weapons found in random boxes and plot points involving the discovery of family heirlooms suggest that the acquisition of unique items is central to the experience. The author questions why similarly unique or rare clothing items, like hats, couldn't also be found.
While the developers may have had reasons for not prioritizing extensive fashion design, such as fewer opportunities for players to showcase their outfits in-game due to the absence of a central social hub comparable to those in previous Splatoon titles, the lack of extensive customization is still seen as a missed opportunity. The cooperative multiplayer component still offers a venue for showcasing player identity, and the existence of numerous assets in prior games suggests that not all designs would have needed to be created from scratch. The limited and restrictive nature of the available fashion, coupled with the community's known appreciation for customization, has led to disappointment among players who expected more from a looter-shooter installment in the Splatoon franchise. Despite these shortcomings, a single pair of floral overalls was found to be a point of personal satisfaction for the reviewer.