Nintendo's latest entry, Splatoon Raiders, has introduced a weapon kit that fundamentally shifts the gameplay experience, drawing parallels to the addictive swarm-clearing mechanics found in Vampire Survivors. While the game presents itself as a pocket-sized extraction shooter set on quiet beaches and garbage reefs, the Tactical Tank loadout transforms its approach to combat.
Splatoon Raiders retains the core PvE (player vs. environment) Salmon Run mode, pitting players against aggressive Salmonids. However, unlike previous iterations that focused on precise targeting with randomly assigned weapons, Raiders emphasizes crowd control and strategic positioning. This is where the special backpack "Tanks" come into play, determining available "Gadgets."
While the Speed Tank and Power Tank offer mobility and brute force respectively, the Tactical Tank is the standout. This kit eschews direct assault for a focus on deploying drones and semi-stationary devices that inflict consistent chip damage. Early unlocks include a basic sentry gun, but later additions offer more complex tactical options. The Tether Wail attaches a damaging bungee to the player, striking enemies that cross its path. The Hi-Fiver deploys ricocheting laser arrays that can be precisely positioned. The most notable among these is Bombloons, a deployable system of helium-filled explosives linked by damaging, poisonous strands.
This collection of autonomous defenses allows players to create elaborate kill zones. By surrounding themselves with these "murder blimps," chip-damage auras, and various drones, players can effectively turn themselves into a mobile death trap. The satisfaction derived from this setup is likened to the experience in Vampire Survivors, where players watch hordes of enemies fail to reach them as they continuously deploy offensive patterns. The tactical depth of managing swarms and creating these kill boxes offers a distinct and engaging gameplay loop within Splatoon Raiders.
Despite its foundation as an extraction shooter, the impact of these specialized kits, particularly the Tactical Tank, elevates Splatoon Raiders into something that feels like a different micro-genre at times. The game encourages experimentation with all three Tanks, but the allure of the Tactical Tank's bombastic drone and balloon-based offense has proven particularly captivating, fostering a unique sense of camaraderie with these deadly, deployed companions.