Splatoon 2 is the follow-up to 2015’s Wii U sleeper hit, Splatoon and it has been such a pleasant, fun, and stylish experience that has had me hooked (No Pun Intended). This entry of the series is miles ahead of it’s predecessor, while still retaining all that made it a hit. I will keep this review as spoiler free as I can, but there may be a slight little one here and there. Where the game really shines is in it’s multiplayer, anyways.
So, for those not familiar with the game: It takes place in a post-apocalyptic Earth where Squids are the dominant life form and they fight wars by covering their turf in their team’s color of ink. Silly, yes but it is a hell of a lot of fun. The game really hits that skater style, mixed with Japanese nuances. This game is style to the core.
Gameplay
Where this game really shines is in it’s multiplayer gameplay. Splatoon 2 is a great game for competition, fun, and solo as well. Splatoon 2’s gameplay can be broken up into 3 sections that all have their own fun merits to them.
Single Player
Splatoon 2 has a pretty long single player campaign that pits you against the forces of the evil octolings. This serves as a tutorial for the game at first, but then gets harder and more fun as it goes on. There are 5 worlds to play with multiple levels and collectibles. This is a mode you will just have to play for yourself, but it is well worth your time. That’s as much as I can say without spoiling it. :]
Salmon Run
Salmon Run is the newest mode that is new to Splatoon 2. You and 3 other inklings (Online or local wireless play) team up to take on waves of Salmon and harvest eggs. You can earn money for weapons, armor, and other in game goodies. This mode is hard, but it has quickly become my favorite  one to play. Playing it locally with other Switches is what really sets Splatoon 2 apart from the first one. Be warned though, don’t try this mode solo. You won’t get too far. ;]
Multiplayer
Online (and local) Multiplayer is broken up into a couple of different modes. A lot of the game lies here, and this really is what makes it shine for most people. I could easily see this becoming a major eSport. Â Mutiplayer can be broken up as follows:
- Ranked Matches
- Matches that pit you against players around your level. You play to raise your level and can even lose points if you lose – These are really all or nothing battles!
- Regular Battle
- Regular matches with less at stake, but just as much fun! The objective is to cover more area than your opponents.
- Private Matches
- Private matches with your friends. Same objectives apply.
The maps that can be played on rotate periodically and those are the only levels that can be played on. This is my only real gripe with the game, but it really isn’t that much of a gripe. It is a unique design choice that is charming, but can cause certain maps to become stale if you play at the wrong times.
Music
This game’s soundtrack is so unique and fits with the style of the game better than most games do. It really makes you feel like a part of the world and wish you could sing along with them (Exactly what language are they speaking?!). It fits the skater culture and the Japanese pop idol scene it tries to emulate. I can’t really express how cool the music is, just give it a listen. :]
Graphics
In terms of visuals, this game is a minor step above the original. You can certainly see the updated models and textures, but it isn’t a huge change. They are just as charming as the original with a little more fidelity (Even in the handheld mode!). This game is so stylish, pretty, and fun to look at. You are in for a treat!
Conclusion
In conclusion, I absolutly love this game. I am having so much fun with it, and I think it is just what the Switch needed. The local multiplayer is a great addition to this series, and it fixes all the problems the first game had. Do yourself a favor and grab the game if you have a Switch. If you don’t have a Switch, get one! Splatoon 2 is the perfect game to get with it (If Zelda wasn’t enough of a selling point!).
Recommended Accessories for the Game
In this section, I want to highlight some of the coolest accessories for the Switch for Splatoon 2. There are a lot of cool ones, but these are my favorites.
Check these out! They will certainly help your gameplay experience.
What’d you think of the game? Gonna try it out? Let me know in the comments below!
