Splatoon
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Splatoon
Nintendo's newest IP 'Splatoon' delivers a very unique take on the third-person shooter genre that's a ton of fun, but its primitive online may not be for everyone.
It's those three minutes that really count, though, and it's there you'll find the genius and the joy of Splatoon. It's where you'll find a genre distilled, broken down and reassembled, with each piece snapping perfectly in place. It's where you'll find Nintendo charting new territory, and sharing with you the thrills of their own discovery. And it's where you'll find what happens when Mario's maker steps away from the comfort of the Mushroom Kingdom and tries something new: a true modern classic, and one of Nintendo's finest games in a generation.
Nintendo's take on the third-person shooter is refreshingly original, with lots of impressive tools, skillful mobility, and creative maps to play with. Matches are consistently fun and tense, and the mechanics feel simple and fair enough that almost anyone can contribute positively. Not having voice chat is a bummer, but the great modes and maps feel polished and kept me claiming turf for hours.
Splatoon is a brilliant and unique shooter sorely lacking in maps and modes, and it desperately needs a refill.
An enjoyable experience, but it needs more content and some streamlined design
Splatoon is surprising because it bucks trends that have held back shooters for years, opening the genre up to all comers, casual and hardcore alike.
Nevertheless, a month past its release, it's safe to say that Splatoon functions well enough, has an active community and continues to grow in the right directions, even if some obvious areas of improvement remain.
It's squid kids and ink blasting abound in Nintendo's exceptionally fun new online shooter.
