Splatoon Raiders - More Than a Spinoff

Splatoon Raiders (Review)

When it comes to first-party releases for Nintendo's brand-new, shiny Switch 2, you'd be hard-pressed not to expect Splatoon in some shape or form. Well, it didn't take them long to release their first Splatoon title, Splatoon Raiders.

But did this spin-off deliver, or is it nothing more than a beefed-up side mode? Join me as I take a look at Splatoon Raiders!

Salmon Run Gets a Major Upgrade

Any casual or longtime fan of the Splatoon series is most likely familiar with the breakout mode Salmon Run, released as a side mode for Splatoon 2 and later refined in Splatoon 3.

This mode acted as a change of pace, a departure from the meat-and-potatoes gameplay of Turf War. Similar to other wave-based horde modes, you and three other players team up to fight off an onslaught of salmon-themed enemies, all while collecting as many Golden Eggs as possible before the wave ends.

But this side mode was much more in-depth than many players expected. After all, this is a long-running series that loves to tease single-player story modes before fully fleshing them out in DLC. Salmon Run was fun, bite-sized, and offered players who maybe didn't enjoy the online battles something completely different.

So where does all of this leave us two entries later, on a brand-new system?

Why Splatoon Raiders Surprised Me

For those of you who aren't familiar, Splatoon Raiders expands on the idea of Salmon Run, refining it to the point where it justifies its own standalone release. This time, Nintendo puts single-player first, offering a surprisingly beefy campaign that can be completed 100% on your own.

Of course, you can jump online to help other struggling players or tackle the entire campaign with up to three friends, but having the option to focus on offline play, a rarity for the Splatoon series, is a refreshing change of pace.

Splatoon Raiders is essentially a horde-based looter shooter. Think Borderlands, but with far less crude humour and a lot more squid-based puns.

You'll travel from level to level in search of artefacts, items that both increase your overall Crystal multiplier and provide relic boosts for your character. It's this gameplay loop that surprised me most. Yes, the game can become repetitive, especially if you're blasting through the entire campaign in a short space of time. But it does a great job of sprinkling in new mechanics, platforming sections, hidden secrets, and bite-sized challenge modes that genuinely test your skill... and your patience.

A Bare-Bones Story, but Does It Matter?

I know, so far I've teased a tantalising single-player game that finally rights Splatoon's long-running neglect of story mode. Well... it's not really that. Let me explain.

From the get-go, you're thrown into a makeshift survival hub after a devastating helicopter crash leaves you and three others stranded. With a mysterious fog blocking your path and the promise of some high-priced artefacts, you set off to explore.

That's kind of it. There's no long, lore-heavy explanation, but honestly, that's okay. A game like this doesn't need an A+ story to get you hooked, the gameplay does that pretty quickly, so any chance to jump in sooner is welcome.

Do I wish there was more? I'm somewhat on the fence. Personally, I've never really cared much for the series' story modes; it's the core gameplay that keeps me coming back. I do understand, though, that some of the previous single-player campaigns have been inventive and surprisingly deep.

So, if you're expecting a strong story to drive the gameplay loop, you may come away a little underwhelmed, as it definitely takes a back seat here.

There's Nothing Quite Like Splatoon

Since its original release way back on the Wii U, Splatoon has been a unique series that offers its own take on the third-person shooter genre. Nothing quite scratches that ink-swimming itch like Splatoon.

You'll be pleased to know that the core gameplay here is some of the best the series has ever offered. The levels are designed around quick, fast-paced shooting, broken up by light platforming and plenty of hidden secrets. I couldn't quite believe how quickly all of the new abilities clicked, and with a huge variety of weapons and upgrades, you'll find yourself constantly mixing and matching to discover a playstyle that suits you.

The game also does a great job of adding variety, albeit while staying tied to its main wave-based gameplay loop. You have traditional point-to-point missions, cumulative horde-focused levels, challenge stages centred around specific weapons or mechanics, and a healthy number of boss fights.

I do wish there were a couple more varied mission types. A "protect your base" mode, for example, would have been a nice addition and would put players on the defensive rather than focusing almost entirely on Raiders' attack-heavy gameplay.

That said, this game becomes incredibly addictive early on as you watch your level, stats, and damage numbers climb ever higher in a satisfyingly constant stream.

A Switch 2 Showcase

Splatoon has never really been a graphical showcase. Outside of the ink looking a bit shinier, the series hasn't strayed far from its signature art style. So, as the first Splatoon game in 4K, how does it hold up? The answer is: bloody well.

Load times are practically non-existent, which is perfect for jumping into the game's shorter levels. There's virtually no downtime, so the action keeps moving at a brisk pace. At times, the game throws huge waves of enemies at you, all splatting ink and performing different attacks at once, but the Switch 2 never seems to struggle.

The result is a Switch 2 title that delivers genuinely AAA-level performance, with smooth gameplay that never pulls you out of the experience through frame drops or poor visual performance.

As a slight asterisk, though, I have to admit this isn't the most visually dazzling series. That's not a criticism if you enjoy Splatoon's colourful art style, but Splatoon Raiders isn't as visually striking as games like Donkey Kong Bananza or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

My Final Thoughts on Splatoon Raiders

It's time to wrap up my first video game review for the blog, and in a way, I'm happy that it's Splatoon Raiders. This game is charming, addictive, and genuinely surprised me with its performance. The core gameplay loop reminded me why this series is unmatched, and there's nothing quite like it out there.

If I had to be critical, it does have some shortcomings. The story is bare-bones, and the missions and levels could offer more variety. Prepare yourself for the typical lava and ice levels, among other familiar settings. I also began to worry that it may not have the staying power of the main series entries. With no major online component, the game can be completed with limited replay value. This could potentially be rectified with future updates, but Splatfests were a huge motivator to keep coming back to Splatoon. With that absent here, this may ultimately be a more self-contained journey.

Despite those flaws, I highly recommend the game. After feeling slightly burnt out by the main series, especially when its entries can feel quite similar, Raiders offers a fresh experience without simply giving us more of the same. It has the freedom to introduce new abilities and, at times, goes surprisingly in-depth with how you can customise your playstyle and loadouts.

If you're a fan of looter shooters and want a unique spin on the third-person shooter genre, Splatoon Raiders is well worth your time.