Splatoon Raiders Review: Nintendo’s New Adventure Is Packed With Paint Battles but Falls Short in Key Areas
Splatoon Raiders has officially launched as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and early reviews suggest it delivers the strongest single-player experience in the franchise so far. Instead of focusing on competitive Turf War battles, the new spin-off takes players on a story-driven action RPG adventure across the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. Players control a mechanic who joins Deep Cut on a treasure-hunting expedition after a mysterious beam of light and cyclone strand the group on the islands. The campaign centres on battling Salmonids, collecting treasure, crafting equipment, and uncovering the mystery behind the islands while progressing through dozens of combat-focused missions.
Deep Progression, Tough Battles and Flexible Playstyles
One of the game’s biggest additions is its RPG-style progression system. Players can choose between three Tank classes—Power, Speed, and Tactical—each unlocking different Gadgets that dramatically change combat. Weapons, Gadgets and abilities can all be upgraded using materials collected during raids, allowing players to create highly customised builds suited to different missions. Reviews also highlight the game’s handcrafted level design, which includes exploration stages, combat dungeons, challenge trials, and large boss encounters. Even if you fail a mission, you still get experience, crafting materials, loot, and other items. Rather than punishing you for failure, this system encourages experimentation.
The difficulty can be altered at any point in the campaign and all three settings give the same rewards, only changing the enemy strength. This makes the game easy to get into for new players but still presents a significant challenge for experienced Splatoon players. Critics also praised the smooth controls, stable 60 FPS performance during large-scale battles, and the huge variety of Salmonid enemies that require different strategies to defeat.
Switch 2 Features, Co-op and Endgame
Although designed primarily as a solo adventure, Splatoon Raiders supports online and local co-op for up to four players. During single-player, one member of Deep Cut accompanies the player in a powerful support bot that can be directed during missions, helping with movement and powerful Showstopper attacks. Players can also customise the appearance of their Inkling or Octoling, upgrade weapons through multiple rarity levels, and unlock exclusive outfits using compatible Splatoon series amiibo.
Most reviews agree that the game’s biggest strength is its satisfying gameplay loop of completing short raids, collecting better gear, and constantly improving character builds. While some critics felt repeated endgame missions can eventually become repetitive, they also noted that the extensive post-game content, flexible build system, and rewarding progression provide dozens of additional hours beyond the main story, making Splatoon Raiders one of the standout Nintendo Switch 2 releases so far.
Source
IGN –
Players can customise the appearance of their Inkling or Octoling and use treasure collected during raids to craft and upgrade equipment. In single-player, one member of Deep Cut accompanies the player in a powerful support bot that can be commanded during missions. The bot helps launch players to higher areas and charges devastating Showstopper attacks against enemies. Nintendo also confirmed that weapons can be levelled up, tanks can be swapped between missions, and the game supports both online and local wireless co-op for up to four players.
Gamer Informer –
Nintendo revealed additional progression features not highlighted in most reviews. Players can freely change the game’s difficulty at any point during the campaign without affecting loot rewards, as difficulty only changes enemy strength. The game also lets players upgrade weapons through multiple levels, customise their character’s appearance, and unlock exclusive in-game outfits by scanning compatible Splatoon series amiibo, including dedicated Splatoon Raiders Shiver, Frye and Big Man amiibo figures.
Polygon –
The official overview confirms that one Deep Cut member actively assists players throughout the campaign using a controllable support bot rather than simply appearing in story scenes. This companion can execute commands, launch players across the battlefield and charge powerful Showstopper attacks during combat. Nintendo also emphasised that treasure collected across the Spirhalite Islands directly fuels equipment crafting and long-term character progression for future raids.
Video Games Chronical –
Players can freely switch between Power, Speed, and Tactical Tanks before missions to suit different playstyles. Loot gathered during raids upgrades weapons, Gadgets, and equipment, while optional four-player co-op is available online and through local wireless.
Nintendo –
Nintendo says players can adjust the difficulty whenever they want, with enemy strength changing but loot remaining the same across all settings. Compatible Splatoon amiibo, including the new Shiver, Frye, and Big Man figures, unlock exclusive in-game outfits.
