Nintendo has successfully carved out a unique niche in the competitive shooter genre with the Splatoon series. Now, with Splatoon Raiders, the company takes a more focused approach on a single-player, mission-based shooter experience, a departure from the campaigns of previous main entries. The game sends a trio of treasure hunters, who also perform as a band, and their pilot-turned-mechanic to deserted islands rumored to be rich with loot. These islands, however, are populated by Salmonids, a species that, despite evidence of a developed culture, art, and music, is largely treated as hostile fauna by the game's protagonists.
While the narrative premise of "recreational colonialism" might raise eyebrows, the overall plot remains lighthearted and charming, bolstered by the vibrant personalities of Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, who serve as companions. These characters' enthusiasm significantly contributes to the effectiveness of Splatoon Raiders' finale. The game also includes numerous hidden collectible scrolls, offering deeper dives into the Splatoon lore for dedicated fans, though their interconnectivity may not be immediately apparent.
A Familiar Yet Evolved Gameplay Loop
The core gameplay of Splatoon Raiders is undeniably fun. It retains the series' signature fluid movement and satisfying ink-based combat, but expands upon it with a variety of mission types. Alongside traditional obstacle-course challenges that have been a hallmark of Splatoon's single-player content, players will engage in objective-based missions, wave-based survival scenarios, and open-ended encounters where the goal is to fill a meter by eliminating enemies. The enemy design is particularly noteworthy, with threats like pot lid snipers requiring immediate attention to avoid being overwhelmed.
Splatoon Raiders encourages players to stay in the thick of the action. Unlike the multiplayer modes that often reward tactical positioning and cover, most levels in Raiders are relatively flat, forcing players into constant engagement. While ink can be used to create temporary cover, enemies can often see and target players regardless. This design choice, coupled with upgrades that can enhance offensive and defensive capabilities while in motion, pushes players toward an aggressive, in-your-face playstyle. The tactile feel of movement, shooting, and the visual and auditory feedback of ink splattering further enhance the satisfying core mechanics.
Customization plays a significant role, with players able to tailor their loadouts with different weapons, gadgets, and armor pieces fashioned from everyday human trash, lending a unique aesthetic to the game. This allows for diverse build strategies, catering to both aggressive players and those who might prefer a more defensive approach with long-range weapons.
Aesthetic and Narrative Shortcomings
Despite its engaging gameplay, Splatoon Raiders suffers from a lack of aesthetic variety in its environments. The approximately 50 stages predominantly feature similar locales such as beaches, glaciers, volcanoes, caves, and temples, leading to a sense of repetition. The game also falls short in its fashion options and music selection, areas that have traditionally been strengths of the Splatoon universe. While developers have offered explanations for the soundtrack's minimalist, percussive style, it largely fails to resonate, with only the final boss theme standing out.
The narrative, while cute, lacks substantial depth. The relationship dialogues between the player character and the main trio feel hollow, and companions do not even learn the player's name. Furthermore, the game's treatment of the Salmonids, a species with a seemingly rich culture, as mere fodder for ink-based elimination, is a point of contention.
Minor issues also persist, including the absence of a retry button for stages, the perceived weakness of rollers, and the missed opportunity for stealth mechanics via slow ink swimming. The inability to backtrack in some stages to find missed collectibles is also a drawback.
A Solid Addition to the Series
Ultimately, Splatoon Raiders provides a highly enjoyable experience, whether played solo or in its surprisingly robust co-op mode, which allows for nearly the entire campaign to be completed with a partner. The game offers a substantial amount of post-game content, further extending its longevity. Despite its few shortcomings, Splatoon Raiders largely succeeds in delivering an energizing and consistently fun shooter that upholds the series' reputation for polished, satisfying gameplay. It is a strong testament to Nintendo's ability to innovate within its established franchises, leaving players eager for what future installments might bring.