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One of the most highly anticipated Nintendo Switch games, Splatoon 2, has finally launched worldwide. This is a full-blown sequel to the original Wii U hit, rather than just a remaster for the Switch. Splatoon was one of the highlights of the Wii U’s short life, featuring fast-paced shooter gameplay and a unique urban sea-themed aesthetic that’s spawned a plethora of online fan art. Have Nintendo succeeded in recreating the success of their most recent franchise with Splatoon 2? Thankfully, it appears that they have.

In general, Splatoon 2’s controls feel pretty good. Although the Wii U Gamepad could display the in-game map, it was a cumbersome controller. The Switch Pro Controller, and even the Joy-Cons, offer a much better gaming experience. That said, you’re going to want to turn off the motion controls as soon as possible. They offer no advantage over traditional controls, and it seems as if Nintendo just want to remind us of the Switch’s motion control capabilities. The game looks absolutely stunning, running at 1080p  while docked, 720p undocked, and playing at 60fps. As seen from the console’s lineup so far, bold and colourful graphics look fantastic on the Switch, and Splatoon 2 is no exception. The only time I’ve seen the game stutter is in Inkopolis, the game’s main hub. Inkopolis serves as the online lobby, which may explain the drop to 30fps, but even when playing offline the hub doesn’t run as smoothly as the rest of the game. This doesn’t impact gameplay whatsoever, but I hope to see it fixed in a future patch nonetheless.

 

The game also offers an immense amount of customisation options, more than the original Splatoon. There are four shops in Inkopolis where you can purchase shirts, shoes, hats and weapons using the various in-game currencies, of which there are four. These can enhance your Inkling’s abilities in different ways and give you a competitive edge in online battles. The sheer amount of choices is a little overwhelming, but there are already plenty of guides online to help you decide what to buy.

Online gameplay is where Splatoon 2 really shines. There is so much variety that pretty much any kind of player will find something to enjoy. Turf Wars are where two teams of four fight to cover as much of the stage with their respective paint as possible before the timer runs out. SplatFests are special themed Turf Wars organised on a regular basis by Nintendo. Splat Zones, Tower Control and Rainmaker are different kinds of Ranked Battles, which will appeal to the more dedicated players looking to show off their skills. League Battles are 2-hour battles for only the most elite players who have mastered the Ranked Battles. Finally, Salmon Run is a brand new mode to the Splatoon franchise, where you can join your friends in defeating wave upon wave of Salmonoids, a new family of enemies. Each of these modes is unique and fun to play. Online performance has been flawless – an improvement over the spotty online matching in the original. Even using an iPhone as a wifi hotspot, online battles loaded quickly and provided a solid framerate.

The Nintendo Switch Online app launched alongside Splatoon 2 on iOS and Android, and it works as a great companion to the game. It has a dedicated SplatNet section that allows players to view their stats, check out upcoming online events, buy new and exclusive gear for their Inkling, as well as invite friends to go online and play together. Unfortunately, Nintendo have completely missed the mark on voice chat, deciding it would be best to include the feature in this separate app rather than utilising the Switch’s own hardware. To use voice chat and hear the in-game audio simultaneously, you must buy a dedicated headset from Hori, a triple-wire monstrosity that has no place in a modern player’s gaming setup. Voice chat may never have been Nintendo’s speciality, but it’s shocking how badly they screwed it up this time. Nintendo are notorious for their fear of hacking, which may explain the lack of bluetooth voice chat, as well as a camera on the Switch. They may also be wary of allowing strangers easy access to younger players through voice chat, as it could tarnish their reputation as a family-friendly company. However, this still leaves older players feeling frustrated with the current setup.

One major flaw in the game is the lack of AI bots for any of the battle modes. Yes, Splatoon 2 is primarily an online multi-player game, but it’s hard to understand why Nintendo haven’t included another mode where you can play against AI-controlled opponents. Not every player will always have online access, in which case they are left with nothing to play other than Hero Mode. Other successful Nintendo multiplayers like Mario Kart and Smash Bros have always had AI bots to play against. It feels like a missed opportunity for the game, and something to include in Splatoon 3.

Splatoon 2 supports a smattering of Splatoon-themed amiibo figures, which unlock additional story content and allow players to save their Inkling’s customised gear, weapons and design for use in other players’ games. Although irresistibly cute and colourful, the amiibo are not necessary for most players, and don’t add much to the overall experience of the game. DLC is where the real possibilities for Splatoon 2 lie. Nintendo have the power to add new weapons and gear, add new stages for online battles, and perhaps even an expansion pack for Hero Mode. Nintendo have confirmed that they will be providing DLC for Splatoon 2 for the next two years, and that SplatFests will continue for even longer. This means that Splatoon 2 has the potential to become even better over time.

Nintendo stumbled upon major success with the original Splatoon, and they’ve managed to refine and improve upon the franchise with the sequel. Splatoon 2 offers an engaging single-player campaign, stellar online gameplay (voice chat aside) and enough depth and strategy to appeal to hardcore and casual gamers alike. Although it has a few flaws, there’s a great deal more to love about this charismatic and addictive shooter. Splatoon 2 is without a doubt an essential purchase for any Nintendo Switch owner.