Splatoon 3 Reviews

Splatoon 3 is ranked in the 89th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.7 / 10.0
Sep 17, 2022

Splatoon 3 lives up to its hype, although I was disappointed by the boss fights in the campaign. These were crisper and more challenging in the predecessors. Nevertheless, the color shooter is a really good video game. There is a lot to discover, not too much backtracking and actually everything that gamers have wished for. The third part of the series is suitable for veterans and newcomers alike, and Nintendo has incorporated important improvements in many places. Only the unstable matchmaking is extremely annoying. I also wonder how you can still have such problems in 2022 that so many games simply break off. Why hasn't Nintendo learned anything with Splatoon 1 and 2 and Mario Kart and makes the same mistakes again with every multiplay release? You don't know, but Splatoon 3 is so much fun that you only get annoyed for a short time, restart the console if necessary, and then immediately log back in for the next match. The innovation in Splatfest has not occurred to me personally. Instead of two teams, three teams now fight each other from time to time. So you don't always end up in three-team fights, but rather rarely and with patch 1.1.1 even less likely. So why was such an innovation introduced at all, if I as a player hardly ever get to see it? Even at the world premiere before the release, I had just three such fights in six hours. All in all, Splatoon 3 is a must-buy for Switch players and a AAA title that is worth the money.

Review in German | Read full review

8 / 10 stars
Sep 17, 2022

Refinement is the name of the game as Splatoon 3 brings the series forward while keeping its one-of-a-kind gameplay exhilarating and approachable.

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Worth your time
Sep 17, 2022

Nevertheless, the Splatoon 3 is more like the first. An enriched, refined version of the previous ones, a refinement of the ideas introduced from the series to the second chapter and not an attempt to overturn or -even small- Redefinition. So on the one hand, we are talking about the best -with ease- Splatoon to date, on the other hand, if you have tried the series and it has not convinced you, there is nothing here that will make you change your mind.

Review in Greek | Read full review

Sep 16, 2022

Splatoon 3 is a very fun title that people are going to enjoy for a long time due to the multiple modes, great quality of life improvements, and the new additions to things like the Splatfests! Jump in and see what so many are having fun playing.

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Unscored
Sep 16, 2022

n a world where the Internet feels like an increasingly toxic place on a daily basis, Splatoon 3 is a real oasis. It’s a place where people can come together and have fun, and you get the distinct impression that those out to behave like a little shit are not only not welcome, they’re actively silenced. And, to be perfectly honest, these days I am all for that.

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90 / 100
Sep 16, 2022

Taken as a whole, Splatoon 3 is an engaging, exciting experience. You can cycle between weapon load-outs, game modes, and gear to keep things fresh. The solo campaign is always there if you ever get truly stuck, though it does nothing for your overall progression. The Anarchy Battles are a massive boost, with enough game types to keep you hooked for ages. The battles themselves are slick and speedy, with a host of potential strategies to help you eke out a win. I’d love more customization, and I’ve no patience for motion controls, but these are minor troubles. While it doesn’t re-invent the wheel, Splatoon 3 is a lot more of an already great idea.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 16, 2022

It might not nourish your body, but it nourishes your soul, each taste leaving yet another joyful memory. The wrapper may be different, but the insides are still the same consistent and sublimely tasty treat. You don't mess with the perfect junk food; they changed the flavor of Coke once and it almost caused national riots.

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INVEN
Top Critic
9.3 / 10.0
Sep 16, 2022

While it is true that there has been no significant change compared to its previous title, the unique enjoyment and short, but intense game play of this particular franchise have become solid with few tweaks. In addition, the fact that it has been localized for the first time in the series is something worthwhile for Korean fans.

Review in Korean | Read full review

M3
Top Critic
Sep 15, 2022

When Nintendo's unique Splatoon series reaches its third installment, the addictive online mode is joined by a single-player mode that's at least as high-class. With single-player courses filled with clever and varied ideas, this is Nintendo at its best. In online mode, a lot is like it used to be – but why complain about something that's still fun?

Review in Swedish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2022

Nintendo finally managed to make a true "online shooter" with the third game of the series. If you thought Splatoon 2 was inadequate as a "second game", I can guarantee that you will not think the same for Splatoon 3.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

Sep 15, 2022

Never mind the spectacularly colourful paint battles, this is quietly one of the best and most inventive action-puzzle games around

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2022

Well they say that if it ain't broke you shouldn't fix it and that applies perfectly to Splatoon. All Splatoon 3 needed to be a success was to refine the already solid experience of its 2 predecessors, and it does that phenomenally well.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Unscored
Sep 15, 2022

All in all, Splatoon 3’s single-player mode hasn’t disappointed so far, and I anticipate it’s going to be a fun experience for the few hours it will probably last, going by my experiences with the previous games. It’s perhaps not as substantial as a Nintendo game designed entirely for the single player such as Super Mario Odyssey — but if you’ve typically shied away from Splatoon on the assumption that it’s a multiplayer-only affair, I’d encourage you to give the single-player mode a shot.

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Sep 15, 2022

Splatoon 3 adds little new to an increasingly familiar formula, but the game features a plethora of enjoyable modes that cater to just about every playstyle.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2022

Evolution has always been a core theme of Splatoon. With the online updates, rotating maps, rebalancing, and new weapons; Splatoon 3 is a game that also will evolve; it is an inevitability that it will further improve.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2022

Splatoon 3 builds upon the excellent foundation that was previously laid out by the prior two games, now offering the most balanced experience between its multiplayer and single-player content. Even though it may not be groundbreaking, the numerous improvements and extra content in the game make Splatoon 3 the best entry in the series to date.

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10 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2022

Splatoon 3 perfects the Splatoon formula with a generation-defining experience from Nintendo. The multiplayer is deeper and more intuitive than ever before, whilst the campaign soars above its predecessors for its creativity and challenge. Gloriously flashy in its presentation and audio, Splatoon 3 stays fresh from its tutorial to the credits roll, and far beyond.

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9.6 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2022

Splatoon 3 is impressive and it has quickly become one of my favorite Switch games.

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75 / 100
Sep 14, 2022

All in all, putting the online infrastructure disaster aside, Splatoon 3 is a lot of fun, but I can't help but feel like it could have been an update to Splatoon 2 rather than a new game. I enjoyed the new story mode, the new weapons are great, and the lobby changes are fantastic, but everything else just feels like too little to warrant $60. I generally don't like to evaluate games on price point, but it needs to be said this is more like Splatoon 2.25 than a full jump in number or even just half. Once you take into account the awful connection it definitely doesn't feel worth it. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good game and a great entry for new fans, but I'd get basically the same experience and probably slightly more stable in Splatoon 2 and that's still right there on my home screen. Nintendo really needs to step their game up in terms of updates, and for God's sake invest in some servers or better netcode.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2022

Splatoon 3 doesn't fix what isn't broken, and it remains one of the best franchises on the Nintendo Switch. While server issues and a lack of changes may bring the score slightly down, Splatoon 3 offers a huge amount of content, great core gameplay and more. I have an Inkling this may be the best Splatoon game yet.

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