Splatoon Review Round-Up

It’s a joyous time when Nintendo release a game for their quirky home console, made all the more spectacular when it’s a wholly new IP. Splatoon apparently started life as another vehicle for Mario, but along the way took on a life of it’s own, with Inklings – people who can turn from humanoids into squids – taking on the lead role.

It’s Nintendo’s first foray into the multiplayer shooter arena, though in typical form it’s a decidedly unconventional offering, with your primary aim being to cover each level in as much ink as possible, with despatching the enemy team becoming a secondary thought. The game also features a single-player campaign alongside its multiplayer modes, all dressed up in a wonderfully realised world.

Our very own Blair was particularly taken with it, awarding it 8/10 despite a few missteps; “Splatoon is the antidote to all things harsh in the world, in a lovely package which feels as simultaneously fresh and yet as homely as something can possibly be.”

It seems that critics from around the world have generally been quite taken with it as well, though many are critical of the amount of content on offer and other quirks. Being an online oriented shooter, a number of reviews are still in progress of have yet to be posted.

IGN – Review in progress

Nintendo’s take on the third-person shooter is refreshingly original, with lots of impressive tools and skillful mobility. Matches are consistently fun and tense, and the mechanics feel simple enough that almost anyone can contribute positively. Splatoon really needs the extra modes and content Nintendo says is coming once a portion of the community levels up a bit, and not having voice chat is a bummer, but what is here feels polished and kept me claiming turf for hours.

Destructoid – 8.5/10

In some ways, Splatoon’s online component is disappointing, and the lack of so many features will likely push other shooter fans away. But most of those shortcomings can be forgiven in my mind because of how damn fun it is. As a shooter it’s refreshing, and as a 3D platformer it’s up there with some of Nintendo’s greatest creations. You’ll quickly forget about the fact that you’re playing Turf War over and over as you squid down an alley, leap across a gap, and shoot enemies in the air as you fall. All Nintendo needs to do is keep supporting Splatoon, because the foundation is fantastic.

Polygon – 8.5/10

As of launch, though, Splatoon has enough going for it between the single-player and multiplayer to keep me happy. Nintendo has built two separate gameplay tracks that use the same mechanic yet feel discrete. They’re both a ton of fun, and they both have some obvious areas ripe for improvement. I can’t say whether Splatoon will become the next big franchise for Nintendo, with sequels every generation and spin-offs and endless fanboy buzz. But after this strong debut, it certainly deserves some attention.

GodIsAGeek – Review in progress

This is a fun game, it really is. There’s so little meat on the bone, and doesn’t feel complete. It’s impossible to review potential, I can only comment on what is in front of me, and while what’s there is fun, there just isn’t enough of it.

Metro – 7/10

Splatoon is an excellent game, but it’s being held back by some of Nintendo’s mostly woolly-headed thinking since the Virtual Boy. If you’ve ever wondered what an online shooter by Nintendo would be like the answer is amazing. If you’ve ever wondered why Nintendo are always so desperate to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory all we can say is that madness and genius are very often the same thing.

Shack News – Review in progress

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Splatoon, whenever I was simply playing it. My complaints all revolve around the periphery: factors like map selection, matchmaking, and gear. That the core is so solidly built is a testament to Nintendo’s skill at refining a unique concept, but taking note of other shooter norms would have made it more welcoming on the whole.

1 Comment

  1. There’s an “Iwata Asks” (or interview with the devs) out there which is worth the read for those interested.

    Apparently this was a skunkworks project at first. There was never a Mario version, but the squids were preceded by rabbits and tofu.

    I think this is a game that, like others in it genre, is difficult to really score until we know how it’ll be supported in the months to come.

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