Review: Splatoon 2 (Nintendo Switch)
Two years have passed in the world of Splatoon, and a lot has changed. Some familiar characters return under different circumstances, and new characters are introduced as well.
Pros:
- Gorgeous crisp graphics.
- Opening tutorial.
- 3.1GB Download size.
- Motion controls-Can be turned on and off.
- Every control option like motion control is separated into handheld and TV mode.
- Fast loading times.
- Amiibo support.
- Supports TV, Handheld and pro controller.
- Shooter gameplay.
- Same controls as before.
- Separate online ranks for each mode.
- Rhythm action mini game that can be played in the square.
- Hub-The square is back and has all your usual haunts, The gear shops, Access to single player, Amiibo stand and Grizzco.
- Sensitivity settings and invert sticks again separated for TV and handheld.
- Can fast travel between all locations in the menu.
- Campaign-Has its own series of hubs for each area, You can fast travel between the areas and even the individual levels. Each area has re spawning balloons that hold bonus power orbs that act as currency.
- Campaign has big open levels, hidden collectibles. This time round you get access to a new weapon every other level to help test them out. The level will then be geared towards using that weapon. Once you finish it you can replay it using any weapon you like.
- Ammo knights-Once unlocked you can go here and spend your power orbs, Salomium and scrolls on new weapons, Bombs or upgrade your gear and stats.
- New weapons and abilities with new ones coming at set times ala Splatoon 1.
- Very playable.
- Can buy EXP/Cash boosters with in game coupons and these work on x amount of games and not on time.
- Recon-MP has an option where you can go into the two maps currently playing out and try them out for 3 minutes on your own.
- Satisfying online play- Regardless of skill you always feel like you are progressing.
- Earn EXP online to rank up and unlock new items in the shop.
- Online alternates between the maps and gives you two maps for online play, a couple for ranked and turf war.
- Online is 4v4.
- Use an app to party up and communicate with friends.
- New system for jumping to team mates in multiplayer. Press X then a direction.
- Emotes for in game to help communicate.
- Salmon run- First you do two tutorials. One is to explain how it works and the second one is to let you face off against all the boss types so you know how to deal with them. In Salmon run its a horde based shooter where you need to kill bosses and collect their golden eggs and deposit them in baskets. The baskets change location randomly and there can be more than one boss on the map at one time.
- Salmon run- You get a random weapon of three possible choices, The game is played across 3 rounds and each round you get a different weapon.
- Salmon run has its own separate rank and currency that earn from playing, You fill the reward bar to get better loot and pick them up from the counter in the square.
- Its still Splatoon! Just more of it and maps you recognise from the first game but re imagined.
- Salmon run has a play with randoms, Lobby or play with friends option.
- Salmon run has a revive feature where downed team mates are in a ring and can move around, Just ink them to revive them on the spot.
- Campaign has plenty of checkpoints.
- Online mp has a friends only option or play with randoms or ranked.
- Campaign areas always end with a boss battle.
- Brilliant soundtrack.
- New characters to interact with.
- Crafting- You can now break down unwanted items and earn chunks that are the used to buy specific buffs that you can then apply to your gear.
- Photo mode.
Cons:
- Still no skip or fast forward option when you boot up and get the current stages playable online.
- Full room or no room lobby system.
- No way to quit out of the lobby.
- The mini game you can play when waiting for an online game is gone.
- Cannot change gear in between online games.
- Solo Salmon runs can happen and are not fun.
- Time to adjust to the new spawn system.
- Still has some content (mostly cosmetic) locked with Amiibo but its not as bad as it was in Splatoon 1 that’s for sure.
The Numbers:
- Graphics - 9/109/10
- Sound - 9/109/10
- Accessability - 9/109/10
- Length - 9/109/10
- Fun Factor - 9/109/10
Summary
If it aint broke dont fix it springs to mind here. You get the core Splaton experience with little change and instead just add to it. You get new weapons, New maps and a much wanted co op mode. Splatoon 2 is a sequel in every way and one you want. Splatoon 1 players can jump straight in and carry on whilst new players will also be able to jump straight in its that accessible. Every mode is different yet fun, The campaign is decent this time and you get to try out the weapons before buying them for online play. Some may say well it sounds like more of the same and to that I say “So what”. Nintendo bring it and its a brilliant game, Being able to play a game of this quality on a handheld is next level. If you own a Switch you owe it to yourself to add Splatoon 2 to your library. its the summer of splat and you are all invited!