Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Splatoon Raiders?

Holy Mackerel NL, I haven’t found time to boot it up yet let alone decide on a score!

An 8, and that's pretty great. It's nothing mind blowing but it does what it needs to do.

(Post edited to get rid of a dumb spoiler, apologies, beware the spoiler is still further down though)

Honestly, pretty great.

This is actually extremely close to what I imagined a solo Splatoon to be. So I am getting what I wanted.

My favourite mode in Splatoon 2 and 3 was Salmon Run, and I generally prefer single player over multiplayer, so I've been having a blast with it. Got to the credits last night and I still want to play more, so that's always a good sign. Gadget customization is the real highlight here, it's a lot of fun to try out different Gadget builds, and upgrades can completely change how a Gadget functions. In a way it feels kind of like Vampire Survivors. The main thing I wish it had was better outfit customization, they could have just re-used the splatoon 3 outfits and made them rare drops from chests or salmonids.

Really enjoy it, my only wish would be a weapon wheel to swap between a few different weapons on the same run. Would be so good switching between them on the fly, ratchet and clank style!

For now, I'm going with an 8/10. It's a lot of fun and the different load out options provide a great deal of variety. That said, the major bosses I've fought so far feel like bullet-sponges which don't pose much challenge, so I'm docking a point for that.

Fully deserves at least an 8. As a Splatoon fan, I wasnt on board with a single player splatoon game, but once it gets it hooks in you, it’s a treat. Also, the option to request help eases some of the craving for new Splatoon multiplayer. I do wish there was an option to set up an open session for people to drop in and out of though. I dont have enough gamer friends to set up sessions with friends.

I rounded down to 8, but could easily have gone up to 9.

I've played it for several hours and find it to be fantastically playable, never want to stop playing kinda playable.

Reasons I didn't go 9+:

• Lack of visual variation, with the same style of abstract locations and enemies (all salmonid). Doesn't mean I don't like the visuals, not at all, but from what I've seen it doesn't merit an 9+ from me, currently.
• I'd like a bit more reason to explore the environments. Other than the odd slightly tucked away crate, the environments are just stages upon which to stage the splatting, so exploration is minimal.
• Only tried one of the sampler stages so far and didn't think it was very well executed. Perhaps it was me not conquering the moveset the designers intended me to use, but it wasn't clear and I was repeatedly being involuntarily boosted into barriers, which wasn't very satisfying. I suspect other sampler stages won't have the same problem, but the first one left a negative impression on me.
• The tank add-on slot restrictions are annoying. I don't much care for having to frequently swap out gear to make space for something new, so I've kinda ignored that aspect of the game after initially filling my slots.

But the core of the game is excellent. I can see why, on the surface, it might look repetitive, but each stage tends to have a unique feel to the battles, due to the way the enemies are laid out and the arena configured. And it doesnt ever seem to stop being fun and absorbing to play. So play it.

It’s Splatoon. I love Splatoon. I’m really enjoying it, and I’m so glad that it exists; that the Splatoon formula can be expanded upon without having to be tied to a numbered entry.

The mechanics are very well implemented, and you can see the influence of Side Order on the game design. It’s categorically NOT a rougelike, but the inspiration is clear enough that it could be called rougelike-like in certain respects, despite being absolutely nothing like the game Rogue from which the term is derived.

Octo Expansion is still my favourite piece of single-player Splatoon content, but I still think Raiders is great in quite a different way. What Raiders does it does very well, but Octo Expansion has a level of elegance and ingenuity that is difficult to match — arguably impossible given the freer, looser, more randomised nature of Raiders.

If Octo Expansion is a precision tool machined from a single block of aluminium, Raiders is a sort of weird, joyous bodge-job made from random scraps. It speaks to the versatility of Splatoon’s core mechanics that we can have both.

8. Super addicting and satisfying gameplay loop, with extremely rewarding grinding and leveling up mechanics. But after several hours, it becomes repetitive as hell…

Probably like a 7 or 8 so far. Haven't played too much and what I have played has been fun, but at the same time I can't help notice some repetition early on. Every level so far is structured extremely similar with little exploration to get side tracked even just to get the compasses. It doesn't help that it reuses the same 2 or 3 designs for every area. All of which are devoid of color if not for you splatting one around. And the music, well I can barely tell what's going on with it but it doesn't sound good lol. Which is kinda disappointing as i've always heard good things about Splatoon osts. The best one is easily the like 5 second tune after completing a level

Still despite that, it can and has been a lot of fun so far. It plays really well and it's especially fun when it gets hectic with enemies all over the screen. Customizing all your gear and weapons is a lot of fun as I've always found rng loot to be more addictive to try and get the perfect build. And I just really like the progression. Love going on a mission to loot, then get back and upgrade everything possible

i give it a solid 10.

10/10 without a doubt. Ridiculously high quality game we got here. Love it!

I think I gotta go 8-9. It’s such a good gameplay loop. The only thing truly against it is that it’s a budget title! Meaning a little less in the environment variety, a little less music variety etc, which is all totally fine. I’m all for these smaller stopgap games if they are this good. But I do wish it was bigger! This could EASILY be expanded into something more. I really hope there’s dlc

I’m enjoying the heck out of it. Single player Splatoon is my jam, not a multiplayer kinda guy. I’m already up to level 18 or so!

I give it a 7.5. everything more than that is too much IMHO.

While the gameplay loop is extemely fun, the entire game feels like a 10 hours experience stretched to be 20/30 hours long (I have yet to play it that much, but I'm surely gonna go over the 20 hours mark going by how much content I still have left).

The entire game is pretty much the same. It's EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY FUN and the gameplay loop rewarding and addicting... But the entire game is the same. 5 hours in you'll have seen already everything the game has to offer and it will only be more and more of that.

Lack of missions variety, lack of locations variety, Level Design almost absent (almost all location are just random terrain without much thought put into it and connected by straight paths).
It's a really good game but with a lot of wasted potential, definitely lacking for the first fully single player Splatoon.

I’ve only got about 8 hours so far but I agree with the review score! The game is so fun and addicting, and perfect for someone who’s never played the franchise! Definitely the most fun I’ve had playing a video game since Donkey Kong Bananza

10/10 for me!! Love it so much!!

I’m having an absolute blast with it, so it’s a very easy 9/10 from me, but that could even go up after more play!

It's an easy 9/10. If I had friends to play it with, I'm sure it would be a 10. I'm so addicted to it.

I haven't seen all the bosses or endgame yet so I'm withholding judgment, but I've got a sense of the gameplay loop and it has that addicting "one more raid" quality. And I like the hideout ship, it's comfy to putz around on.

I will say though it seems like a game I'll be finished with once I'm done the campaign + some hoard objectives. As opposed to Splatoon 3 which I play regularly. I've seen comments like "this is the Splatoon game we've been waiting for" and I'm like, huh?? I think S3 got slept on as being "more Splatoon 2", but it would be tough to unseat it as the best value in the series.

I'm about 10 hours in, and I'd give it a 9.25/10 so far. outstanding game

Need to finish it first.
Game play is 10/10.
But I'm a bit worried about length vs price....

I gave it a 8 , but still a lot to do , so it could go higher in my expectations

I bought it the day it released... But probably shouldn't rate it yet, as I'd grumpily give it a 5 or something right now. I'm probably still in the training mode, which is getting old. The music is bland, the constant pointless unskippable chattering is grating my nerves. So much hand-holding. I'm hoping after this initial level, it'll start feeling free and fun.

9. This game rocks.

Long time since I had so much fun with a game. And that’s what it’s all about for me.

0/10 because you are asking way too early. I have only had time to play 1 hour so far. I’m a healthy adult with important things going on. Why does NL act as if we should all binge our games? What’s the rush NL? What is stopping you from asking us in two weeks from now?

If I were to give preliminary thoughts, I do not like Nintendo tutorials. So far it is over bearing. I would rather have a free room like the lobby in S3 with the bean plants and water board for example so that we could mess around there and just discover how things work on our own. So maybe a 7/10, but I really don’t have a good feel for it yet.

Easy 9/10 for me. The levels are highly replayable, the gadgets and weapons are cool, and playing online with people is a blast. This game is another winner from Nintendo.

@Koda1000 "Don't worry if you are still working your way through it, either — you can leave a rating now, then come back and change it down the line."

It's just your initial impression if you care to share it bro, it's not that deep.

@SpaceboyScreams I understand what you’re saying and it’s true, but from my perspective this world keeps on pushing and pushing and I just wonder what is NL’s rush.

As someone who isn't much of a Splatoon fan, a 9/10. Some of the most fun I've had for a first-party Switch 2 game and just simply upgrading my stuff alone had me hooked the whole way through.

Another first-party Switch 2 title for me to look back upon years later alongside Kirby Air Riders.

7 - Good. Is it a game I will come back to in the future? Probably not. It's maybe a little too repetitive and once everything is unlocked what will be the reason to return? The online multiplayer being locked to friends list limits the use I'll get from that option.

Considering the vast number of games available to play, 7 is a very good score. If we were talking decimal ratings then I'd probably give it 7.4.

I wouldn't know. I haven't played it yet. I lent my copy to my fiancée while I focused on Atelier Ryza.

Some frustrating parts that I don't like (the timed sampler dungeons or whatever you want to call them, I hate speedrunning stuff. >_>), but I still like the game. At least the multiplayer option is there to help with the speedrunning parts that are just driving me insane and I don't feel like doing them myself. Think I'm getting close to the end of the game, I haven't done a Splatoon final boss in forever, never finished 3's...I'm just hoping the final boss is just as awesome as the first game's, I loved that fight. lol

I really gotta get this.

Incredible 10/10 game! I can see people easily put thousands of hours into this game and I am sure even then they would come for more. It is good that they decided to make this exclusive for Switch 2, dropping Switch really made a huge difference, the enviroments are unbelievably detailed and all the visual effects really make the fights come alive! Dont get me started on the characters, absolutely stunning!

@SpaceboyScreams let him be dude that's his take and WE appreciate other views in the midst of this fandom.

10/10, no question. I'm always saying 'just one more round' and when I'm not playing it, I'm thinking about it.

It’s been fantastic. Wish it had mouse controls but that’s really the only thing. Was worried it would be too easy, but the hard mode is actually a nice challenge

I would give it a 9, but a few things knock it down a peg for me:

1. Three player co-op? For real? I was excited to play this with three of my brothers, since we commonly play 4-player games online, like Borderlands, Dokapon Kingdom, Super Mario 3D World, Baldur's Gate 3 and recently FFXIV, but hearing this would only support three players was soul crushing. I get that it's a single player focused game, but if you're going to do co-op, why restrict it to three players?

2. Unlocking 3 limiters while spending 1 skill point for each stat, then suddenly needing to pay 2 SP to have the stat go up by the same amount genuinely made me angry. If I could change this, I would rebalance it in a way that you get level ups more frequently, but have to spend more skill points earlier on, but still ultimately have the exp required to reach max level be the same.

3. Visually, this looks like it was probably developed for Switch 1, but midway through development, Nintendo decided to make it a Switch 2 exclusive to bolster the lineup of exclusives, like they did with Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. The only real difference here is we have something to compare it to visually, and it only looks slightly more impressive than Splatoon 3. This is probably my most minor nitpick though, because the game runs smooth at all times, and loads very quickly, which is very important for a stage-based game like this.

All that being said, I still love the game, and it makes me worry that whatever single player campaign we get in Splatoon 4 won't be nearly as good. Also, whenever I do go back to mainline Splatoon, I'm going to miss my boomerang! I hope that, as a boomerang does, it comes back in Splatoon 4 as a sub-weapon!

10/10. Splatoon Raiders is love. Splatoon Raiders is life. Splatoon Raiders is eternal.

Been thoroughly enjoying it. Went back and forth between 7 and 8 but rounded up. Lots of fun, but I don’t think it’s the kind of thing I’ll want to revisit so I’ll likely sell it off after.

If it was packaged in with Splatoon multiplayer, it would be a 9. But because they want 140 to have the experience you used to get 25 years ago for 40-50 bucks. I give it a 4.

I'm still on the fence about picking this one up, but a ton of people seem to be loving it. I've never played Splatoon since I'm a single-player-only kinda person, so I can't speak to how I'd like the gameplay.

I wish they'd drop a demo on the eShop so I could try it out. The videos I've seen just haven't grabbed me yet, but I'm curious. I'm not a big fan of shooters or platformers, which is the vibe I get from watching gameplay. But maybe it would hook me if I tried it; I don't know...

Gameplay wise it's a 10 for me. the game mechanics and loops are just some of the best I ever saw in a game and incredible creative.

@KayFiOS in the Ask the Developer interview they said it was made for Switch 2 from the start

Didnt get to play it, tho it looks great everywhere. Only thing im disappointed with is that it doesnt have any major lore twists and details. I always loved that bout singleplayer games, but i guess its at least easy to pick up with new players without overwhelming them with anything.

I can't score it yet because my copy from the Official Nintendo store on Amazon hasn't come. Argh.

@KayFiOS I was thinking the same, the visuals weren't anything special, during my like six hour binge yesterday. Then I hit a stage probably about two thirds into the game and realized this would have absolutely smoked the original Switch with all of the stuff happening on screen.

@Yosher I had no idea there was post-game content until you decided to spoil that. Why do people do this??

Splatoon Raiders is one of the best spinoff games I've ever played but it also stands on its own, it's the most fun I've had in a singleplayer game in years, it's just so well done.

Traded in my copy of SPLATOON 3 as I still have 2 downloaded for multiplayer matches. So far I've been pretty blown away at how well balanced this title is. I play some other looter shooters and I am very happy with how clear the upgrading of gear is. Everything just works and is not overwhelming. I spend more time playing than in menus and that has made a huge impact on my enjoyment. I also love how my knowledge of the different weapons and combining them with gadgets has helped me overcome raid challenges. It gives a nice sense of problem solving that adds more layers to how I approach the game. Also, the fluid movement the series is known for makes the entire act of playing so joyful. I would love to see this formula applied to a new Battalion Wars game.

@SlimeRyu
Letting you bring at least 2 weapons would be amazing.

@BIG3
Split-screen or GameShare would have been the icing on the cake.

I just so much enjoy it .. everything but a 10, outstanding, would be dishonest. Not saying the game is perfect .. it might have some weaknesses. But to me, all I see is simple joy. So it is for others to point out those imperfections.

I thought Splatoon 1-3 were fine, great mechanics wrapped up in what I view as it's only blocker for me from enjoying, which is multiplayer dominant gameplay.

Splatoon Raiders is sooooo soooo soooo good though, to the point that I'm thinking of my next raid while I'm at work and having trouble putting it down at the end of the evening.

I picked up my copy but haven’t played it yet. It looks like a good game though so I’m happy about that!

Due to the absence of splitscreen multiplayer, I can’t give it higher than a six. A huge missed opportunity.

These articles always come out wayyyy too soon! People don't have enough time to properly play the game to decide.

I gave it a 9 - simply because its the only SW2 game beyond MKW and Bananza so far ive actually stuck with. Just had a couple of hours on it tonight, and absolutely loving the single player focused experience, as competitive shooters put me off due my lack of skill 🤣

@Broforce Genuinely very sorry about that- as someone who typically hates little things spoiled to me too, I simply thought it was a given that there would be a post game, considering the nature of the game. I'll be more thoughtful in the future.

So far an easy 9. But as I play more.. it could move up to a 10. It's great.

9/10. It’s a great series. Hope we get more single player offerings in future.

Based on the reviews and knowledge of the series and experiences with Splatoon 3, an 8! The one sneaky feeling against it is that it could get repetitive, and this stops me from buying it, especially as I'm still locked into the phenomenal Star Fox remake and have other games to play. I sensed repetition and subsequently discovered it with DK Bonanza despite the glowing reviews. I noticed a few comments about that for Raiders. Otherwise, it would be 9, which is the consensus!

Literally just bought it from the E-Shop. Can't wait to start it later today after i've woking up.

@Yosher I appreciate it!

I am between 8-9, but voted 8. Gameplay feels great but not sure if the game kicks in a fun story. The base and 3 characters only feels lazy. Its just arenas meshed together and the game is not as serious as I would expect for a singleplayer. Its still wont dethrone Ratchet and Clank for me. But its really fun experience. My biggest issue is the weird boring uninspired music.