Last week during the September 2021 Nintendo Direct, we got a great look at Splatoon 3. I have to say that this game really is shaping up to be something that I’m in love with, and that’s all because it retains what made Splatoon 2 great whilst adding to it in interesting ways. The big new thing we got a pretty good look at was the single player campaign. Splatoon 2 got some story content that was great, but it was a primarily multiplayer game. That’s fine, but I know a lot of fans would have appreciated some more story and single player stuff, so I’m really happy to see that front and centre in Splatoon 3.
Splatoon is a series that’s known for being super silly. That silliness is still in the game, but now there’s a level of seriousness that grounds it in the world. The mad machines and weapons you pick up from the multiplayer mode have a use against real enemies, and it’s down to you to take them out. This is a game that isn’t just about beating the opposing team, it’s about saving the world from a foe that hasn’t been seen for a while, the Mammalians.
Splatoon 3 is going to be a big new adventure for the Switch, and I can’t wait to play it. The Splatoon community has been gagging for more content ever since Nintendo stopped hosting Splatfest events in Splatoon 2. Those events are the highlight of the community’s week, and Nintendo needs to ensure that there’s plenty like them in Splatoon 3 if it wants to help that community move over and grow. I think the game has a chance to be the best shooter on the Switch, which is something that the platform desperately needs. We’re missing a good shooter, and there’s nothing that says Nintendo more than Splatoon as a shooter.
Hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long for this game. It’s on its way next year, but we don’t have a definitive release date right now. All we can do is wait for the best shooter on Switch to arrive, and that wait gets more agonising each day. Still, there’s always this awesome gameplay trailer to rewatch.