Crash, boom, bang—that is the sound of your arrival on a deserted island in Splatoon Raiders. During a recent two-hour preview, it became clear that this mobile title is aiming to provide a different kind of experience for those who might find the high-speed, competitive nature of the mainline series a bit daunting.
Set on the Spirhalite Islands, the premise is simple: you and the iconic trio Deep Cut have been stranded for a month, forced to scavenge for coins and survive a constant onslaught of Salmonids. While the core loop of fighting waves of enemies and collecting golden eggs will feel instantly familiar to fans of Splatoon 2 and 3, Splatoon Raiders shifts the focus to a solo-oriented, roguelite-inspired structure.
Customization and Combat Mechanics
As a mechanic, your role in the game goes beyond just shooting ink. You are responsible for tweaking and tinkering with your loadout. Players can equip one weapon, two gadgets, and eventually unlock relic powers. Because you can upgrade and swap these skills to suit your playstyle, no two runs feel exactly the same. The more you explore and fight, the more you unlock, making subsequent attempts at survival more manageable.
Combat is supported by a "Bot Buddy" system. You choose one member of Deep Cut to join you, and each character brings a unique ability to the field once you have gathered enough Salmonid eggs. Frye unleashes eels, Shiver summons a massive shark, and Big Man allows you to ride on his back to slam into enemies. Interestingly, while you are left to walk through the sludge, the Deep Cut members remain safely tucked inside their robot companions.
Accessibility and Difficulty
For players who have never quite clicked with the series' signature motion controls, Splatoon Raiders includes the option to turn them off entirely. The game also introduces a tiered difficulty system, letting you choose between tourist, raider, and survivalist modes, allowing players to tailor the challenge to their own skill level.
While the game is intended to be a single-player experience, you aren't entirely on your own if the difficulty spikes. If you find yourself overwhelmed by familiar bosses like the Steelhead or the Stinger, you can call on online teammates to help clear the waves. Whether the game matches the intensity of Octo Expansion or Side Order remains to be seen, but the foundation of a highly customizable, solo-focused Salmonid-fighting game is already in place.