Vibrant promotional artwork for Splatoon Raiders featuring a turquoise-haired Inkling surrounded by the members of Deep Cut: Shiver, Frye, and Big Man.

Splatoon Raiders

Played on:
  • Nintendo Switch logo
Time played:
15+ hours
Rating:
Loved

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into Splatoon Raiders, but it turned out to be an extremely addictive experience! In fact, it is easily the most fun I've had playing a video game all year so far. It takes that core Splatoon charm and spins it into something completely captivating.

What makes it so refreshing is that it's absolutely perfect for anyone who is interested in the Splatoon universe, worldbuilding, and lore, but just isn't interested in jumping into competitive online multiplayer.

The gameplay loop is made even better by the huge amount of customization available. With all the different weapons, gear, and gadgets you can unlock and swap around, there's an incredible amount of variety. Experimenting with different loadouts to suit your playstyle keeps every run feeling fresh and deeply satisfying.

Then there's the soundtrack, which is definitely going to be divisive! The music in Splatoon Raiders is very weird, strange, and at times honestly a bit unnerving. Some people might hear it and think it's just bizarre or bad, but I actually enjoyed it. It fits the offbeat setting perfectly and does a fantastic job of fully immersing you in the sheer weirdness of this world.

At the end of the day, Splatoon Raiders was a massive surprise hit for me. It's addictive, wildly creative, and a total blast to play—especially if you love the world of Splatoon and want a stellar single-player adventure!

The main title screen displaying the logo Splatoon Raiders over a scenic view of a wooden ocean oil-rig-style platform with a large crane under a bright cloudy sky.
A post-match summary screen showing a green-haired Inkling sitting on a large golden treasure chest next to a Japanese level results overlay displaying XP gains and level progress.
A third-person gameplay screenshot showing a character with pink and teal ink standing on a white sand bank splattered with teal ink, looking out across water toward porous, sponge-like rock cliffs.
A third-person action gameplay screenshot showing a character standing on a metal ledge next to a pool of purple ink, overlooking a fiery landscape of glowing red lava and volcanic rock formations.