Splatoon 3 Reviews
Blending fun territories and weapons with easily accessible features, a variety of gameplay modes and a solid solo offering, this installment makes for the kind of game that does the Splatoon name proud.
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.
Splatoon is back with its colorful and fun action gameplay. In addition, it is now richer in content than ever before. The problem with the game is that it doesn't bring any real new mechanics or features.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
It took Nintendo just three releases to turn Splatoon into one of its biggest and most valuable properties, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s not complex: Splatoon is something that almost everyone can enjoy. For those who want to be competitive, the blend of weapons, items, and abilities gives the game plenty of nuance, and there’s a true curve from beginner to excellence. For those that just want to jump in and have a blast, it’s a game that’s welcoming, has an excellent single-player mode to onboard you, and never feels like it’s punishing you if you spend less time playing it than others. At a time when online play is becoming increasingly hostile to anyone who isn’t willing to make the game their entire hobby, it’s nice to have a company like Nintendo remind us what it’s like to have simple, uncomplicated fun in online multiplayer.
Splatoon 3 is very light on content additions, but it is easily one of the best online multiplayer games I've played. Its weird concept and fun gameplay across a variety of modes and maps are as fun and addictive as it has always been, but it lacks a big new feature. Instead, Splatoon 3 focuses on streamlining the existing experience by removing a lot of the hurdles that Splatoon 2 had imposed. While the online experience was a bit shaky during the first days, with two years of guaranteed updates on the horizon, Splatoon 3 has a mighty journey ahead, and it can only get better and more interesting from here.
It's even tougher to accept alongside an even older game like Mario Kart 8 doubling its content in DLC for half the price. If you're looking for reasons to upgrade from Splatoon 2, the differences are so small that I can't say there's anything that would convince you. On the bright side, if the words "Splatoon 3" were all you needed to get excited, then make no mistake: this is-by a small margin-the best Splatoon has ever been.
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.
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
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.
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.
Splatoon 3 continues to ride on its ink wave of success thanks to a solid gameplay foundation, with some minor tweaks, extra content, and an improved user experience. Whether or not that's enough, after years of development and another full price tag, will depend on what you're looking to get out of the experience.
Splatoon 3 is a delight. For long-time fans, you know what you're getting. It's more of the (admittedly excellent) same, albeit with tighter mechanics, some welcome balances and a brilliantly overhauled campaign experience. The changes here do not miss, but it could be argued that's because this entry ultimately plays it safe. If you enjoyed the first 2 Splatoon titles, you will love this. If you've never played Splatoon before, you will be absolutely charmed by what's on offer. If you were looking for something wholly different from what's come before… you may be left wanting. Nevertheless, Splatoon 3 is a very, very good shooter whose novelty makes it easy to recommend.
Slightly underwhelming boss fights aside, then, Splatoon 3’s single-player definitely lived up to expectations, and is once again well worth spending some time with if you can drag yourself away from the multiplayer. It’s also nice to see Nintendo taking Splatoon’s lore admirably seriously; there’s a thoroughly interesting setting here, and it’s cool to see that it’s clearly been thought about in more depth than simply “there’s kids, right, who are also squids”. It’ll certainly be interesting to see where the series goes from here.
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
Splatoon 3 is a fitting sequel to an awesome series that'll have you happily spray your ink all over the place. It may not do anything particularly revolutionary but does it really have to? No... but it would be cool if it did, right?
Splatoon 3 delivers the best solo campaign of the series so far and it’s a whole lot of fun. With a wide variety of challenges that make you use all of the many weapons of the game; you will want more and more. On the competitive side, it's unfortunate that Nintendo doesn't introduce new modes, but the variety of maps and weapons should satisfy the fans. On my end, I plan to spend a lot of time in the new and better Salmon Run which will now be active 24/7. Overall, Splatoon 3 still shines with its unique approach, but we expect Nintendo to deliver multiple free updates to keep us inked in.
Review in French | Read full review
Will you have what it takes to beat the Fuzzy Ooze and solve Alterna's puzzles? Remember, you have to know how to learn to swim before doing the Squid Roll!
Splatoon 3 is a step up again for Nintendo’s multiplayer shooter series and offers more of what we love with better graphics, a new cast, and even more chaos - though the formula remains much the same.
Splatoon 3 is Nintendo’s safest sequel. There’s nothing much new here on offer but the added weapons, modes, abilities and customization might be enough to make this your next buy. Just don’t expect anything to feel any different.
While it’s weird to see Nintendo deliver such a safe sequel, there’s no denying the continued pull of Splatoon’s splotchy skirmishes. Seasoned inklings can dive straight in; casual dabblers might find it a bit bare.