Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion Reviews
This expansion succeeded in presenting a unique content that enriches the whole Splatoon 2 experience.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
A single-player expansion for Splatoon 2 may not seem a particularly appealing idea but this inspired slice of DLC expands the whole franchise in a number of surprising ways.
The Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion convinces with great new ideas and a lot of variety, but continues to miss a "real" story.
Review in German | Read full review
Nintendo's trickiest game in years is also one of its most joyful.
Overall, Octo Expansion is an absolute steal. At $20, you're getting a very creative and engaging campaign that expands the world of Splatoon 2 with diverse gameplay, although a small portion of these levels feels like monotonous filler. Luckily, the ability to skip them mitigates this issue, but does little to assuage the fact that the majority of the bosses are rehashes. If you were hesitant to jump in due to the price tag, don't be: Squidkids will find plenty of enjoyment on the Deepsea Metro.
If you're craving more Splatoon, this will definitely suffice. Other than a few less than inspiring levels that you'll thankfully move through quickly (or just skip), this is a worthwhile break from the multiplayer modes we've been playing through since Splatoon 2's launch. Even if you haven't touched the original campaign, now is a great time to enjoy this single-player Splatoon experience.
At the end of it all, the Octo Expansion's take on tsukin jigoku and the idea of underground subway purgatory is written into both the story and gameplay. Agent 8's memory loss feeds into the idea of the subway being a kind of limbo that's stuck halfway between the “promised land” and the endless depths of Octarian challenges.
There are moments of greatness in this campaign, but I'd still only recommend it to the biggest Splatoon fans—the ones who play it on a nightly basis like me, itching for an Octoling to join Inkopolis in Turf War and Ranked battles. Otherwise, more casual fans might find Octo Expansion to be a touch too grueling to love.
As cool as the "agent" and underground concept is, a lot of the aesthetic shift feels like a re-skin of sorts.
All in all, Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion is a masterclass in how to do DLC right. It fits in perfectly with the standalone game, provides a heap of tailor-made content and furthers the story of the Inklings' and Octolings' world effortlessly and beautifully.