This review's mainly for the game's single player story mode campaign. I'll touch on the multiplayer aspect afterward.
I really enjoyed it. As someone that really enjoyed Octo Expansion back in Splatoon 2, 3's campaign was really damn fun and challenging. Some parts infuriating like the target test rail grinding missions, but I felt great getting them done (especially the final post game mission that was satisfying as hell to beat). I also really liked the storyline tying context in for Salmon Run. Fun as hell mode overall.
Now for everything else. Yeah, it's Splatoon. It's fun, I appreciate the QoL features like the Lobby system and fast travel, but I'm not too huge on the new maps. Not only are inkable walls mostly absent in a lot of them, I'm just not a fan of how small they are alongside feeling so geared to combat engagement? It's so counter-intuitive to Splatoon's design philosophy. Splatfests being a 3 way affair whilst also removing the region lock was a double edged sword too. Like yeah, it's cool to participate in Japanese Splatfests properly now, but the skill gap is brutal and Tri Color Splatfests are just stupid in execution.
I've only played Turf War so maybe my opinion would slightly be different if I played other modes, but eh. Online connection was stable as hell (surprisingly) for me so no complaints there. Presentation with music and visuals are great though.
Overall, Splatoon 3 is fun, but I feel like NIntendo could've waited a bit for the next console to release it. The game feels like it dropped too soon. That Single Player is fun though, I may end up grabbing Side Order.
I really enjoyed it. As someone that really enjoyed Octo Expansion back in Splatoon 2, 3's campaign was really damn fun and challenging. Some parts infuriating like the target test rail grinding missions, but I felt great getting them done (especially the final post game mission that was satisfying as hell to beat). I also really liked the storyline tying context in for Salmon Run. Fun as hell mode overall.
Now for everything else. Yeah, it's Splatoon. It's fun, I appreciate the QoL features like the Lobby system and fast travel, but I'm not too huge on the new maps. Not only are inkable walls mostly absent in a lot of them, I'm just not a fan of how small they are alongside feeling so geared to combat engagement? It's so counter-intuitive to Splatoon's design philosophy. Splatfests being a 3 way affair whilst also removing the region lock was a double edged sword too. Like yeah, it's cool to participate in Japanese Splatfests properly now, but the skill gap is brutal and Tri Color Splatfests are just stupid in execution.
I've only played Turf War so maybe my opinion would slightly be different if I played other modes, but eh. Online connection was stable as hell (surprisingly) for me so no complaints there. Presentation with music and visuals are great though.
Overall, Splatoon 3 is fun, but I feel like NIntendo could've waited a bit for the next console to release it. The game feels like it dropped too soon. That Single Player is fun though, I may end up grabbing Side Order.