Splatoon Raiders Reviews
Splatoon Raiders is my favorite game in the franchise and a wonderful trek into a new genre.
Splatoon Raiders is the exact type of game that appears simple enough on the surface but soon reveals a flabbergasting level of mechanical depth as soon as you scratch beneath it.
Splatoon Raiders sets its sights on inking Salmonids to such a singular degree that the game can sometimes feel a bit one-note, but a solid array of different mission variants and a gratifying dopamine-dispensing progression system has that “just one more raid” effect. While Splatoon Raiders doesn't offer as much variety as earlier entries in the franchise, it does its one thing quite well, and those who jive with this new looter-shooter approach will likely find themselves caught in this game's net for some time.
Splatoon Raiders is a successful gamble. Nintendo takes one of its most recognizable series and dares to push it in a completely different direction, without betraying its identity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
More importantly, it proves that Splatoon can thrive beyond its competitive roots, creating an adventure that’s every bit as colourful, inventive and addictive as its multiplayer counterpart.
Splatoon Raiders is a bit like one of those paint-spinning machines. When the game is only pitting you against hordes of foes, the whole thing bleeds into one indistinct blur. It’s only when the game slows down, either by focusing on a single boss (like the train-shaped Paincourse) or on the preset gadgets you must master to clear “sampler” dungeons, that you can really appreciate all the intelligent, playful gameplay decisions beneath the chaos.
Splatoon Raiders is a refreshing take on the Splatoon formula, stripping out the PVP from the mainline games while adding replayable stages with loot shooter mechanics. This Splatoon spinoff is definitely geared toward co-op, which is great news for folks who want more cooperative gameplay and a multiplayer campaign. The music can be polarizing but production values are solid overall and the writing also remains hilarious and cheeky. I also wish the co-op had more options to make it more accessible to families such as split-screen and game sharing. If an extended Salmon Run with loot shooter mechanics sounds like a swimmingly good idea to you, Splatoon Raiders will float your boat.
Pragmatism within Nintendo has always been, and will always be, one of the brand's hallmarks. Seeing the foundation laid after so many years of developing Splatoon games , the decision was made that it was finally time to deliver the single-player experience that fans had been requesting. That's precisely what they did with Splatoon Raiders , a title that takes very few risks in favor of innovation, resulting in an incredibly solid product in every aspect.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Splatoon Raiders is ultimately a valuable addition to the series' larger picture, a shift in perspective but not in identity; it's a complementary experience that enhances the saga's imagery while also pointing to a new direction.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, Splatoon Raiders is a breath of fresh air for the franchise. Not that it really needed it, but after three entries, it's great to see this world of interesting characters expanding. The only remaining question is what's next: Splatoon Raiders 2 or Splatoon 4?
Despite being a single-player experience, Splatoon Raiders still has heaps of great frantic gameplay moments that can be found in a mainline Splatoon game and a great cast of characters to boot.
While it doesn't quite escape some of the issues of its inspirations, Splatoon Raiders is a novel spin-off of one of Nintendo's most creative franchises. This is a no-brainer recommendation for fans of Salmon Run, and is one of the best co-op experiences on the Switch 2 thus far.
Despite repetitive missions, Splatoon Raiders is the series' strongest entry since the original and an excellent looter.
Splatoon Raiders is proof positive the series can evolve past its competitive multiplayer roots, creating a fun and engaging ARPG experience that's hard to put down.
By removing Turf War and transitioning to something pretty close to a first-person shooter, Nintendo has taken what makes the franchise unique and discarded it with Splatoon Raiders.
Thanks to an addictive gameplay loop, stellar third-person shooting, exceptional performance, and a large collection of challenging, diverse stages, it's immediately one of the best games on the platform.
Despite its occasional repetition and a progression system that can occasionally discourage experimentation, Splatoon Raiders works as a fast, colourful and consistently entertaining shooter. Its short missions make it ideal for quick sessions, yet its upgrade loop is compelling enough to keep you playing far longer than intended. Whether you are tackling raids solo, teaming up with friends or jumping in for a brief burst of action, the game really delivers a steady stream of energetic fun.
Splatoon Raiders proves just how absurdly effective the shooting of this Nintendo Switch-exclusive series can be when an expanded take on Salmon Run is combined with enemy grinding and loot hunting. Its controls and combat feedback, paired with well-developed loot, progression, and build systems, make it incredibly difficult to stop playing once you start. However, as the gameplay reaches its later stages, both the amount of content and the depth available for experimentation begin to fall off.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Splatoon Raiders pulls off the hardest trick of all: turning one of Nintendo's most iconic multiplayer series into a single player adventure without losing its identity. The gameplay remains incredibly fun, the progression is surprisingly deep, and the customization system offers far more freedom than expected. Exploring the Spirhalite Isles and the constant hunt for new gear make every mission enjoyable, while co-op adds extra longevity without overshadowing the game's single player nature.
Review in Italian | Read full review
You know you've hit gold when your biggest criticism of a game is that you just wanted more. Between the fast-paced, technical gameplay, the depth of the build mechanics, and the irreverent design that underpins the Splatoon series, this is an experience that's shockingly hard to fault. Go play it.