Splatoon Raiders - Switch 2 Review

Since its initial launch on Wii U back in 2015, the Splatoon series has primarily been an online multiplayer-focused series. Of course, they’ve all featured robust single-player modes designed to teach and encourage players to use all the weapon types the games have to offer, which is further reinforced in the DLCs, but it’s never been the primary focus. Enter Splatoon Raiders, a mission-based single-player-focused entry that aims to take the series to new heights.

The Good

The previous entries in the Splatoon series’ single-player modes will often have a main area with kettles that lead to the location of that stage (a la the paintings in Super Mario 64). While this is a formula they’ve always used, the developers really managed to perfect it during the Octo 8 DLC. Splatoon Raiders builds on this foundation, creating varied missions that are easy to jump into and have a plethora of replayability with all of its collectibles to find and a more difficult “spicy” edition. The game even keeps a record of how long it takes to complete the level, so those who love speedrunning can try to beat their time. So while Splatoon Raiders can be finished in around 6-8 hours, it lends itself to being better experienced with while embracing its replayability. 

For those who’ve never played Splatoon or simply stuck to its multiplayer, the series has a robust amount of lore that covers the destruction of humanity, the rise of the cephalopods and the subsequent war between the Inklings and Octolings. Luckily, I have made a video to cover just that on the Switchaboo YouTube channel! However, it’s not really necessary to enjoy the latest game. The story of Splatoon Raiders follows the band Deep Cut and their poor mechanic, who seems forced into their plans simply because they happen to be there. The game continues the silly jokes that the third game made about the trio, where they are well-meaning but a little incompetent. We also get little tidbits of lore on Deep Cut, such as the fact that Shiver is a shark tamer, Frye is an eel tamer, and Big Man comes from a long line of famous manta ray dancers. For fans of Splatoon lore, you’ll be eating good!

The Splatoon single-player modes have often been about forcing the player outside of their comfort zone, forcing them to use all the weapons that the game has to offer. This is so people are able to learn more about weapons they might be too scared to try in a competitive environment. Splatoon Raiders does none of this. While players will start with a standard Splattershot, the most basic of shooter weapons, it doesn’t take long for the arsenal to build. The game drops weapons frequently in its short levels. These will always be relative to the player's level, but the type, or its bonuses, is not guaranteed. If, for some reason, the weapon you prefer isn’t appearing at a level you need, there’s always the option to upgrade existing weapons, leaving players spoilt for choice. 

In addition to the plethora of weapons, Splatoon Raiders introduces three tanks and their corresponding gear. Helpfully, these tanks can be swapped out at any time, so if the player finds the one they’re using doesn’t suit them, they’re not locked into that decision. The tanks and their gear represent three different playstyles: the aggressive power tank, the evasive speed tank and the calculated tactic tank. The gear that can be equipped is relative to what tank a player has equipped. For example, the turret gear can only be equipped on the Tactic tank, while the power boots gear can only be equipped on the power tanks. However, at the Hideout, players can enhance both their tanks and gear, depending on whether they have the correct collectables to trade. Along with the relics, special treasures bought back from the island, which also have special abilities, players can completely customise the way they want to play the game. This is a first for a Splatoon single-player campaign! Additionally, new looks for your Inkling or Octoling are unlockable by meeting certain criteria. Extra customisation! Salmon Run is a mode in the main Splatoon series where players need to survive three waves of Salmonid enemies while collecting golden eggs. Due to Salmon Run being an additional mode, players don’t really know a lot about them beyond how to defeat them. Luckily, the relics that the Mechanic collects tell us more information about the Salmonids. More information can be obtained by collecting Briny scrolls or simply by fighting a certain number of them. Aside from the Briny scrolls and relics, players need to collect Spiralite crystals, weapons, parts for gear and debris from the defeated boss Salmonids. There’s a lot to collect, yet it all feels useful rather than bogging down the game. 

And speaking of Salmon Run, the mode has always been known for its incredible music that’s reminiscent of late Beethoven in the classical romanticism era. If you’re not familiar, Beethoven’s late work was arguably ahead of its time, with wild chromatic scale usage at a time where music was composed to be calming and easy listening. The chaotic nature of the soundtrack in Splatoon Raiders is primarily during the sublevel raids, and it matches the absolute chaos caused by the hordes of salmonids coming at the player at any given time. I’m no expert on classical music though, so perhaps give this video a watch.

Somewhere on the hideout is a small radio. Using it allows players to invite friends to their lobbies so they can take on dungeons together. I was able to play with my friend despite me being only level 9 at the time and them being level 20. The game seemed to scale to my friend's level as well as for two players. Despite this difference in level, the game still dropped weapons that were relevant to my level. My friend was getting level 20 weapon drops. I was still getting rewards from the dungeons, and he was receiving upgrades, as he already had the relics. I’m unsure if he would have obtained the relic tied to his tank if he hadn’t already completed it. We both found it to be well-balanced with no lag spikes, and it was hectic but fun. For those who may prefer to play alone but are finding it difficult to get past certain points, the game offers an “ask for help” option. This allows players to play with up to two other people from all over the world to help them pass the dungeon or raid. However, once used, it will become inaccessible for 2 hours if the team is successful. If the team fails, the player can use Ask for Help again but won’t be able to keep any of the rewards they picked up during the unsuccessful run. Most people will be able to get through the game without needing to team up with randoms, but it’s great to have the option there.

TL;DR

• The single-player approach works well with plenty of replayability
• More juicy Splatoon lore
• Near-endless customisation
• Incredible music
• Lots of Collectables
• Seamless cooperative multiplayer experience

The Bad

Though I am but a filthy casual, I have been playing Splatoon since the Wii U. For me, motion sickness has never been an issue beyond playing in handheld mode with motion controls on. The tilting of the screen while aiming can cause headaches for me. In comparison, when playing Splatoon Raiders on the TV, the headache was almost immediate, and I knew “this is motion sickness.” In the end, I am only able to play in handheld mode and with the motion controls off, completely changing the way I normally play. This is actually the third first-party Nintendo game that has caused me to experience motion sickness, the others being Pokopia and Donkey Kong Bananza. Before the Switch 2, I'd never experienced motion sickness on a Nintendo console before. 

The Splatoon series has always been able to lock colours, so those with colour blindness are able to play easily. However, this is the only real accessibility option that the game has. There’s no ability to adjust the field of view, turn off motion blur or even remap the controls in-game. It’s 2026, and not including these options means locking potential players out of the game.

TL;DR

• Motion Sickness is now an issue
• Lacking some accessibility features

Final Score: 9/10

Splatoon Raiders manages to tick a lot of the right boxes by bringing its oft-forgotten single-player mode to the forefront. It’s a fantastic way to introduce new players to the series who were put off by its multiplayer focus, while still challenging the returning players. The fact that it’s such a great game makes it all the more disappointing that it seems to lack any additional accessibility options, especially as motion sickness seemed to be such a problem for some people in Splatoon 3. Hopefully, they might add them in later, as it mars what would have been an otherwise perfect game.

Also, Renee will soon be sharing some more thoughts on the game over at Qualbert, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!

Thank you for checking out our Splatoon Raiders Switch review, thank you to Nintendo AU/NZ for providing the review code and thank you to our Patreon Backers for their ongoing support:

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