Splatoon Raiders Review

Right from the time Nintendo revealed Splatoon Raiders, I was curious to see how the colourful multiplayer shooter would adapt to a single-player adventure. The mainline Splatoon games have always had enjoyable campaigns, but they’ve primarily served as introductions before pushing players into the competitive online modes. Splatoon Raiders changes that formula completely. This isn’t another multiplayer-focused sequel. Instead, it’s a standalone adventure that takes the series in a new direction while staying true to the charm, humour and creativity that made Splatoon such a success.

After spending plenty of time exploring the mysterious Spirhalite Islands, I came away impressed with what Nintendo has created. It’s not perfect, and there are moments where I wished the gameplay had a little more depth, but I also couldn’t stop enjoying my journey. This is a refreshing spin-off that feels confident enough to stand on its own.

Rather than dropping me into another Turf War or Salmon Run, Splatoon Raiders casts me as a mechanic who joins the ever-popular Deep Cut trio on an expedition to the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. Things quickly go wrong, leaving everyone stranded and forcing me to uncover the secrets hidden across the islands while helping my new companions survive.

It’s a simple setup, but it works well because it gives Nintendo an excuse to focus on exploration instead of competition. The islands are filled with puzzles, hidden treasures, environmental challenges and strange creatures, encouraging me to wander off the beaten path far more often than I expected.

The pacing is slower than previous Splatoon games, and that’s something I actually appreciated. Instead of racing through levels, I spent time searching for upgrades, collectibles and secrets. Exploration feels rewarding throughout the adventure, and there’s almost always something interesting waiting just beyond the next hill or inside another cave.

Even though Splatoon Raiders shifts genres, it never forgets its roots. Ink is still at the heart of everything you do. Covering terrain with ink allows you to move quickly, climb certain surfaces and solve environmental puzzles. Combat also revolves around using ink effectively, forcing you to manage resources while taking advantage of enemy weaknesses and the environment around you.

The biggest surprise was how much emphasis Nintendo places on exploration tools rather than weapons. Progression gradually unlocks new abilities that open previously inaccessible areas in classic Metroidvania fashion. Returning to earlier locations with upgraded equipment often revealed hidden paths I couldn’t reach before, making backtracking feel worthwhile instead of repetitive.

Combat itself is enjoyable, although it’s arguably the weakest part of the experience. Enemy encounters are fun thanks to the responsive controls and satisfying ink mechanics, but after several hours I began noticing repeated enemy types and familiar attack patterns. Boss battles are much stronger though, often requiring clever use of movement, environmental hazards and newly acquired abilities.

The game also introduces a small companion that assists during exploration and puzzle solving. Without spoiling too much, this companion becomes central to many of the game’s mechanics, adding another layer to both traversal and combat that helps distinguish Splatoon Raiders from previous entries.

If there’s one area where Splatoon Raiders truly excels, it’s exploration. Nintendo has designed the Spirhalite Islands to constantly reward curiosity. Hidden caves contain valuable upgrades. Ancient ruins hide optional puzzles. Remote cliffs overlook breathtaking scenery while concealing useful collectibles. I found myself consistently uncovering secrets, and I loved that taking the time to look around was often rewarded.

The world feels handcrafted rather than procedurally assembled. Every area has its own personality, from lush forests and rocky coastlines to abandoned facilities that hint at the islands’ mysterious past.

Environmental storytelling also deserves praise. Nintendo avoids lengthy exposition dumps, instead allowing the surroundings themselves to tell much of the story. Small visual details, abandoned machinery and scattered notes gradually build the mystery without slowing the pace.

That said, I do wish there were a few more optional side activities. Exploration remains consistently enjoyable, but some players may eventually notice that the loop revolves heavily around finding collectibles, solving puzzles and unlocking new pathways. I would have loved just a few more things thrown in to occasionally change-up the core gameplay loop.

One of my favourite aspects of the adventure is spending more time with Deep Cut. Shiver, Frye and Big Man have largely existed as entertaining presenters in Splatoon 3, but Raiders gives them genuine personalities beyond their television appearances. Their interactions are frequently funny, occasionally heartfelt and always charming.

Nintendo leans heavily into the group’s chemistry, and it pays off. Whether they’re arguing over plans, celebrating discoveries or simply reacting to strange events around them, they feel like interesting companions rather than quest-givers waiting at the next checkpoint.

The story itself won’t surprise anyone looking for a complex narrative, but it doesn’t need to. The mystery surrounding the islands unfolds at a satisfying pace, and the focus remains on adventure rather than dramatic plot twists. It’s a light-hearted tale that fits perfectly within the colourful Splatoon universe.

Visually, Splatoon Raiders is gorgeous. Nintendo has clearly taken advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. The environments are larger, more detailed and significantly more varied than anything the series has attempted before. Lighting effects, water reflections and environmental detail all contribute to making the islands feel alive.

The vibrant art direction remains one of the franchise’s greatest strengths. Every area bursts with colour without becoming overwhelming, while the character animations are wonderfully expressive.

Music is equally impressive. The soundtrack blends energetic rock, electronic beats and quirky melodies that perfectly match the adventurous tone. Some tracks quickly became favourites, especially during exploration and major boss encounters. Sound effects also remain satisfyingly punchy, making every splash of ink and defeated enemy feel impactful.

Performance throughout my playtime was excellent. The game maintained a smooth frame rate even during larger combat encounters and while exploring more detailed environments. Load times were impressively short, helping maintain immersion whenever travelling between areas or restarting after defeat.

I encountered only a couple of very minor visual glitches, none of which affected gameplay. Overall, Nintendo has delivered a polished experience that feels well optimised for the Switch 2.

Final Thoughts

Splatoon Raiders could have easily been a simple spin-off that relied solely on the popularity of the franchise. Instead, Nintendo has delivered something that genuinely expands the Splatoon universe in meaningful ways.

The focus on exploration works remarkably well, the islands are consistently enjoyable to discover, and Deep Cut finally receives the character development many fans have wanted. While combat occasionally becomes repetitive and the adventure could have benefited from greater enemy variety, those shortcomings rarely overshadow the sheer sense of fun that comes from exploring this colourful world.

Most importantly, Splatoon Raiders proves that Splatoon doesn’t need competitive multiplayer to be entertaining. Nintendo has created an adventure that’s welcoming to newcomers while still offering longtime fans plenty to appreciate.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Splatoon Raiders. It’s a confident, charming and beautifully crafted adventure that successfully takes the series in a fresh direction without losing the identity that made it special in the first place. If this is the future of Splatoon spin-offs, I’m already looking forward to seeing where Nintendo takes the series next.

A Nintendo Switch 2 review code was provided by Nintendo for the purpose of this review.

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