Hello, gamers! Today I’m absolutely thrilled with a game that completely surprised me in the best possible way: Splatoon Raiders. To be honest, when I first saw the announcement, I was a bit skeptical. Splatoon, for me, has always been synonymous with competitive multiplayer, with those frantic, colorful ink battles in vibrant arenas. The idea of a single-player focused spin-off, leaning into a looter shooter format, definitely raised an eyebrow. Could Nintendo really maintain the series’ core essence in such a different package? Well, after dozens of hours immersed in this world of squids, octos, and endless treasure, I can confidently say: yes, and then some! Get ready, because Splatoon Raiders is an adventure that goes far beyond what I ever imagined, delivering a depth and addictive quality that made me completely lose track of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My adventure began rather tumultuously. As a skilled but anonymous mechanic, I was piloting a helicopter carrying the Deep Cut trio, Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, to the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. The goal was simple: find treasures to help pay off Splatsville’s debts. But, as fate would have it, a colossal storm caught us by surprise, downing the aircraft and leaving us stranded on an archipelago shrouded in mist and mystery. From that moment on, the mission changed: it wasn’t just about treasures anymore, but about survival, building a base, unraveling the islands’ secrets, and, of course, finding a way back home. It was in this setting that Splatoon Raiders won me over, presenting a lighthearted, fun, and personality-filled narrative that serves as the perfect backdrop for incredibly addictive gameplay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mechanics and Gameplay<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gameplay in Splatoon Raiders is, without a doubt, the game’s crowning achievement. Nintendo has masterfully taken everything we already loved about the main series and brilliantly adapted it into a looter shooter format with RPG elements. The core loop is simple yet incredibly effective: you embark on expeditions to the islands, battle hordes of Salmonids, collect treasures and resources, and return to your floating base to spend it all on upgrades. And believe me, this loop is so well executed that it’s almost impossible to stop playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The foundation of combat remains ink based. Shooting ink to cover the environment, swimming in it to reload ammo and heal, and using squid form to move quickly and climb walls, all of this is present and works better than ever. The fluidity of movement and the satisfaction of painting the environment are elements Nintendo consistently nails, and this game is no exception. But what truly elevates the experience are the new layers of depth added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The weapon arsenal is vast, featuring over a hundred variants across familiar categories like Splattershots, rollers, brushes, and even ink katanas. Each weapon has its own level and rarity, and finding them on expeditions is always a thrill. But the real innovation lies in the gadgets. Instead of the traditional main, sub, and special weapon setup, we have two or three open slots for gadgets that can mimic classic specials, like the Splashdown, or offer pure mobility and emergency escapes. Each gadget can be customized with parts that alter cooldowns, damage, or behavior, allowing for incredibly varied and strategic combinations. I constantly found myself experimenting with new builds, mixing and matching different weapons and gadgets to see what best suited my playstyle or the challenge ahead. The freedom of customization is immense, and it’s one of the things that kept me most hooked on the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Character progression is also very well thought out. We level up by collecting Power Eggs, upgrade our ink tank capacity, health, and damage, and increase our reputation with the treasure we bring back to base. Additionally, the robotic companion that accompanies us on each expedition charges its own meter, which, when filled, unleashes a devastating screen clearing attack. And speaking of companions, we can choose between Shiver, Frye, or Big Man to join us, each with their own special ability that can be activated by the robot. I, personally, grew fond of Big Man, whose Showstopper ability allowed me to control the robot and decimate enemies while I remained invulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The variety of missions is another strong point. There are classic excavation raids, Salmonid dens where we race against the clock to collect Power Eggs, and buried ruins, which always culminate in a particularly grumpy Salmonid boss. But my favorites, without a doubt, are the sampler dungeons, small, puzzle-like challenges that strip us of most of our gear and force us to overcome platforming and ingenuity with what remains. They are a clear homage to previous secondary expansions and made me think creatively about gadget usage. The boss encounters are a spectacle in themselves, choreographed with a sense of grandeur rarely seen outside of Nintendo’s big titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graphics<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Splatoon Raiders is the first exclusive Splatoon game to hit the Switch 2, and while it’s not one of those titles that screams “graphical power” with every pixel, it delivers a solid and, above all, very stylish visual experience. The art direction, as always with the series, is a standout. The vibrant colors of the ink, the unique designs of the characters and enemies, and the post-apocalyptic aesthetic blended with elements of Japanese pop culture create a visually captivating universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The characters, both Inklings and Octolings, as well as the Deep Cut trio, are expressive and full of personality. The animations are fluid and detailed, which greatly contributes to immersion, especially in cutscenes. Speaking of which, the in-engine cinematics are directed with bold angles and dynamic editing, giving the spin-off a more mature and cinematic feel than previous entries in the franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, I must be honest: the visual design of the environments themselves doesn’t always match the same level of care. While there’s a variety of biomes, such as icy tundras, lava-flooded landscapes, and underground grottoes, many of them tend to have a more subdued color palette and a reduced number of visual elements, which is a strange contrast for a series that has always thrived on an explosion of color. At times, the environments can feel a bit generic or repetitive, especially in more open areas or linear corridors. It’s not something that detracts from the fun, but it’s noticeable for someone accustomed to the visual exuberance of the main games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even so, the sheer number of enemies on screen, the ink explosions, and the visual effects during combat are impressive. Even with dozens of Salmonids, projectiles, and ink flying everywhere, the game maintains visual clarity that allows you to follow the action without getting lost. And, of course, the “do it yourself” aesthetic of the weapons, which look like they’ve been cobbled together from scrap and duct tape, adds a unique charm and reinforces the theme of survival and improvisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sound<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound design in Splatoon Raiders is, as expected from a Nintendo game, of very high quality, albeit with some nuances that differentiate it from the main series. The soundtrack, for example, takes a slightly different approach. While the numbered games are known for their frantic electronic beats and catchy pop songs, here the music tends to be more atmospheric and, at times, even a bit darker, which aligns well with the theme of exploring ruins and facing marine creatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t get me wrong, the music is still excellent and fulfills its role of accompanying the action and creating the right atmosphere for each moment. There are tracks that made me nod my head as I decimated hordes of Salmonids, and others that added a layer of tension and mystery during exploration. However, few of them really “stuck” in my head like the music from the main games. It’s a matter of personal taste, of course, but I missed some of those “anthems” that the series usually delivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound effects, on the other hand, are impeccable. The sound of ink being fired, the characteristic noise of each weapon, the sound of the squid swimming, the gadget explosions, and the grunts and attacks of the Salmonids are all very well done and contribute immensely to the immersion. In a game where the action is so chaotic and visually intense, having clear and precise audio feedback is crucial to understanding what’s happening on screen, and Splatoon Raiders delivers this masterfully. I often found myself using sounds to identify enemy locations or to know if my shots were hitting the target, even amidst the confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The voice acting, or lack thereof, follows Nintendo’s standard. Characters communicate with a mix of grunts, noises, and the franchise’s own language, with speech bubbles displaying dialogue. While it’s a series charm, in a game with so many mechanic explanations and interactions between characters at the base, I felt that traditional voice acting could have added an extra layer of depth and emotion to the conversations. However, the animations and expressiveness of the characters largely compensate for this absence, conveying emotions and personalities effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fun<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fun factor in Splatoon Raiders is a story in itself. I, who started with reservations, found myself completely addicted to the game. It’s the kind of title that makes you think “just one more mission,” and before you know it, hours have passed and the sun is rising. The combination of fluid shooting mechanics, deep customization, and a constant progression loop creates an incredibly rewarding experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I enjoyed most was the freedom to experiment. Being able to create different builds with weapons and gadgets, trying out new strategies for each mission type, and seeing how each choice impacted the gameplay kept me constantly engaged. The feeling of becoming increasingly powerful, seeing your character evolve, and unlocking new abilities and equipment is one of the pillars of fun in a looter shooter, and Splatoon Raiders absolutely nails it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The variety of missions, while having some repetitive patterns, is enough to maintain interest. The sampler dungeons, with their platforming and ingenuity challenges, were a breath of fresh air and made me think creatively in different ways. And the boss encounters, with their grand choreography and epic moments, are always a highlight, leaving me with a racing heart and a smile on my face when I finally defeated them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the main campaign, which gave me a good 15 to 20 hours of gameplay, there’s plenty of content to explore. The “spicy” and “super spicy” difficulties of the levels offer an extra challenge for those looking to test their limits, and the endgame is packed with opportunities to continue upgrading your character and collecting rare items. I found myself returning to old missions just to try out a new build or to collect specific materials, and I never felt like I was “grinding” in a tedious way. The fun was always there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the cooperative mode? Oh, the cooperative mode! Although I played most of the campaign solo, the option to invite up to three friends to help me on a mission, either online or locally, is an incredible bonus. The game adapts to the number of players, and the dynamic of working as a team to overcome challenges is very rewarding. Even without friends available, the option to ask for help from other online players or to offer my help to those in need was a fun way to interact with the community and earn extra rewards. Splatoon Raiders manages to be fun for both those who prefer to play alone and those who enjoy sharing the adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Performance and Optimization<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The performance of Splatoon Raiders on the Switch 2 is, in a word, impeccable. Nintendo has delivered a game that runs extremely smoothly and stably, which is crucial for such a frantic action title. I played both in docked mode, connected to the TV, and in handheld mode, and in both cases, the experience was consistently fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game maintains a solid frame rate of 60 frames per second most of the time, even when the screen is filled with enemies, ink explosions, and visual effects. In a game where precision and reaction speed are so important, having this stability is a relief and directly contributes to the fun. There were no noticeable frame rate drops, not even in the most chaotic moments of boss battles or in dungeons with massive hordes of Salmonids. This demonstrates exceptional optimization work by the development team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The resolution is also a strong point. In docked mode, the game appears to run at 4K, with crisp and detailed graphics that truly stand out on a high-definition TV. In handheld mode, the 1080p resolution ensures an equally clear and vibrant image on the console’s screen. The visual quality is maintained in both modes, which is quite an achievement and allowed me to enjoy the complete experience anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loading times are surprisingly short. Entering and exiting missions, or returning to base, is an almost instantaneous process, which eliminates any frustration and keeps the game’s pace fast. In a looter shooter where you’re constantly entering and exiting areas, this optimization in loading times makes a huge difference in the fluidity of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only point that caught my attention, and which I consider a minor peculiarity, is that the cutscenes, for some reason, run at 30 frames per second, and at times, even slightly below that. It’s a strange contrast to the fluidity of the gameplay, and there are no apparent visual effects that justify this drop. However, this is not a serious problem, as these are isolated moments and do not affect the gameplay itself. Overall, the performance and optimization of Splatoon Raiders are top-notch, ensuring an uninterrupted and very satisfying gaming experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Splatoon Raiders is, without a doubt, one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises I’ve had this year. Nintendo has taken a franchise that was already loved by many and reinvented it in a way that not only respects its roots but also brilliantly expands its horizons. I, who started with some skepticism, found myself completely engrossed and addicted to this universe of treasure hunting and ink combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game manages to be a complete and deep looter shooter, with a weapon and gadget customization system that kept me constantly experimenting and searching for the perfect build. Progression is rewarding, mission variety is well thought out to avoid monotony, and boss encounters are memorable. The narrative, though light, is charming and adds an extra layer of personality to an already charismatic cast of characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impeccable performance on the Switch 2, with stable 60 frames per second and crisp graphics, ensures that the frantic action is always fluid and enjoyable. And the inclusion of a robust cooperative mode, which allows you to play almost the entire campaign with friends or with the help of other online players, adds immense replay value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the game isn’t perfect. The environments could be more varied and visually striking, and the music, while good, doesn’t reach the same iconic level as the main games. Additionally, the absence of Brazilian Portuguese subtitles is a flaw that, in 2026, is hard to ignore, especially in a game with so many tutorials and dialogues. And, at times, the difficulty can have sharp spikes, requiring a bit of “grinding” or a change in strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, these minor drawbacks are overshadowed by the avalanche of qualities that Splatoon Raiders offers. It’s a game that made me laugh, made me sweat, and, above all, entertained me for dozens of hours. It’s a perfect invitation for anyone who has never ventured into the world of Splatoon, offering a complete and addictive solo experience. And for long-time fans, it’s proof that the franchise has much more to offer than just multiplayer battles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Splatoon Raiders is a game I highly recommend. It’s a winning bet from Nintendo, a spin-off that stands on its own and that, who knows, might even influence the future of the main series. If you’re looking for a fun action game, with lots of customization and an addiction that will make you lose track of time, don’t hesitate to dive headfirst into the Spirhalite Islands. You won’t regret it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Positive points:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Negative points:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating:<\/strong> Hello, gamers! Today I’m absolutely thrilled with a game that completely surprised me in the best possible way:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":235,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/pt-br\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Splatoon-Raiders.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[6],"class_list":["post-233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-switch-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=233"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233\/revisions\/237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionarena.com\/nintendoparty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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Graphics: 8.0
Fun: 9.5
Gameplay: 9.0
Sound: 8.0
Performance and Optimization: 9.5
FINAL SCORE: 8.8 \/ 10.0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"