When you think of fast‑paced multiplayer action, Nintendo Switch 2 is not the first console that springs to mind for getting your shooter fix. Splatoon Raiders may change that. This is a series on Nintendo’s console that has been quietly building a very healthy fan base. It is a colourful, chaotic and wonderfully quirky shooter that has always managed to stand apart from the crowd.
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Splatoon Raiders takes that familiar formula and gives it a fresh spin. It keeps the colourful world and frantic gameplay that fans have come to love.
The biggest change this time is the move away from relying solely on traditional team‑based battles. Raiders puts more focus on exploration and adventure to deliver a more action RPG at its core. Splatoon Raiders still delivers plenty of the paint‑based combat that makes the series so much fun.
Worlds Worth Raiding
The world is packed with colourful environments to explore. There are enemies to splat and plenty of secrets to uncover. This gives the experience a slightly different feel from what has come before.
The story is simple. You play as an Octoling mechanic who joins Deep Cut, a pop‑idol bandit group made up of Shiver, Frye and Big Man. You are on a light‑hearted but dangerous treasure hunt with the goal of repaying a debt. The supporting cast is a mixed bunch that breathe real life into things.
Paste Piste
Where the game really shines is with its core gameplay. Moving through ink remains as satisfying as ever. It lets you quickly cover ground, slip past enemies and get into position before unleashing a wave of colourful chaos.
It’s a simple mechanic, but one that makes Splatoon feel completely different from most other shooters.
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The combat is enjoyable, with a good selection of weapons giving you plenty of options for dealing with the various threats thrown your way. There is a nice rhythm to switching between movement and combat. Once it clicks, it becomes incredibly satisfying.
That said, Raiders does sometimes feel caught between being a traditional Splatoon experience and something more adventurous. Some sections work brilliantly. Others feel like they stretch the formula a little further than it naturally wants to go.
Colour Burst
Visually, Splatoon Raiders remains a colourful tour de force. The usual mix of bright colours, strange characters and wonderfully designed environments make it a joy to look at on the Switch 2. Much like previous games, the soundtrack is packed with Nintendo charm and gives the whole thing its own personality.
Splatoon Raiders is another fun and colourful outing for the series. It offers enough new ideas to feel fresh without throwing away what made Splatoon so enjoyable in the first place.