Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 is just about everything you could ask for from a sequel. It builds on everything the original set up and then some; almost every single major issue people had with the first game has been resolved, showing that Nintendo is genuinely listening and wants to deliver the absolute best experience possible. It maintains the freshness you’d expect and throws in countless big and small changes and additions, every one of them for the better. Anyone who says Nintendo can’t do online should be eating their words right now; Splatoon 2 is simply inkredible and continues Nintendo's trailblazing first year of Switch stunners.

Splatoon 2 has all the elements needed for a great sequel. It repairs some of the flaws from Splatoon while bringing new content. The new modes plus a great single player campaign will keep you playing for hours, besides, the online multiplayer works great. And yes, you can take the Squids on the go, which is just great.

If you had to describe Splatoon 2 in a single word, it would simply be "fun". Pure, unadulterated fun that will last you a significant amount of time. With competent single player mode, addictive multiplayer modes and the promise of regular content it's another top quality - and essential - Switch release. Just make the Salmon Run more frequent, Nintendo.

Splatoon 2 provides a fresh coat on a highly sought after sequel.

Splatoon 2 has taken everything from the original and amped it all up to eleven. There’s no lollygagging with this sequel; online modes and gear are robust right out of the gate, with the promise of even more to come. New additions like Salmon Run expound upon an already winning formula and offer veteran players further reason to give the title a try. It also can’t be ignored that the boon of being able to pick up and play the game anywhere is something that is only possible with Switch. While I do feel that chat is needlessly cumbersome, it’s fairly easy to start matches with friends, and I never experienced any hitches while battling online. Splatoon 2 is a brilliant and rare game that manages to outshine its predecessor, and is yet another reason to own a Switch.

Whether you’re new to the Splatoon series or a repeat customer, Splatoon 2 has enough to keep players entertained for hours on end. There’s enough variety in the different modes of play, and the solo campaign is almost worth the price of admission alone. The new Salmon Run is gloriously fun and the promise of even more weapons, gear, and modes make this game an easy recommendation to all Switch owners. Really the only glaring issues at launch are the cumbersome and lackluster voice options via the Switch Online App, and perhaps the lack of multiple new modes to play in for veteran gamers. I can see some longtime players experience a “been there done that” in Splatoon 2, but the formula works so well and the game is so much fun to play that I don’t think that will be a major concern for most players. Be a kid (or a squid) again and have some fun!

Splatoon 2 looks a bit like a paint-by-numbers sequel ... but there's more than meets the eye here. [Issue #29, p. 67]

While Splatoon 2 is not a drastic change from the original formula that was available on the Wii U, there are certainly enough additions and alterations that separate it from its predecessor. Some of the maps have been recycled, and one can’t help but wonder if this decision was made to expedite the development of the game. For a system that is currently starved for new, triple-A titles the way that the Nintendo Switch is, it seems plausible that a few corners needed to cut to get the game out the door. Regardless, Nintendo made good on their promise to support the first title in this series, and one can only assume that they will give this title the same amount of love and care. If you own a Switch, this game deserves a spot in your library.

After all, a funny and original multiplayer shooter that kept the good from its predecessor, improved some not-so-good mechanics and served a great menu. However, creators made some minor mistakes and several half-way decisions, but as a whole it is a noticeably better product.

It’s not without it’s flaws, but all is forgiven between the start and end of each round.

This is one of the best third person shooters on any system, do yourself a favor and buy it now.

Splatoon 2 has a lot of substance, and every bit of it is literally oozing with style. Keeping everything that made the original game great while expanding on modes, fashion, weapons and features, this is a powerfully addictive family-friendly shooter.

If I had to describe Splatoon 2 in a word it would be "fun". The game's new modes are fun, the new weapons are great and the game's performance are incredible, whether we're talking about the 60 FPS mark the game stays on or the stability of the servers. The game could do more in regards to its online lobby system, but everything else is pretty much spot on. Splatoon 2 is a must own for the Nintendo switch.

Splatoon 2 is an incredible shooter that improves on the original in almost every single way. But if you still have a Wii U and don't care about taking it on the go, there might not be enough new content to justify the purchase.

Splatoon 2 is bursting at the seams with enjoyable ink-splattering fun both in its gameplay and presentation. With loads of ways to play and tons of rewarding goodies to discover, Splatoon 2 is clearly the next must-have Switch game.

Splatoon is just what we wished for in a sequel, a big improvement from the previous title. It's maybe too conservative, but it's also true that the new characteristics of Splatoon 2 are awesome.

The intuitive mechanics are still as addictive as the first time around, but a larger number of maps and the addition of Salmon Run cements Splatoon 2 as an excellent standalone value.

It's quite literally everything the first game was and more, which might not mean more revolutionary features but does mean a greater depth and variety of options for the new players it is sure to ensnare. With free updates promised for the best part of a year, the game will only improve, and this time it'll have the audience it deserves.

A true sequel or a glorified "more of the same". Oddly, both. There's no real revolution in Splatoon 2, just some small improvements here and there. A game that's so rich, deep and full of content, and it's only bound to grow in the upcoming months. Blessed by a solid net code, a stylish art direction, and great personality, Splatoon is sheer fun.

It barely classifies as a sequel, but even if you’ve played the original this is still one of the best online shooters ever made.

Splatoon 2 is just an easy game to like. It’s bright, cheery, and employs endless tricks in a constant quest to make you smile.

Splatoon 2 recaptures every moment of enjoyment of the original while finding room to add even more. Whether it's the challenging single player or the revitalized multiplayer, Splatoon 2 does a phenomenal job at making itself more than a minor upgrade.

A great "more of the same" title that fits like a glove on Nintendo Switch.

Splatoon 2 takes what was great of the original game and improves every aspect, every detail of the experience. It's a fun and compelling product, a true Nintendo game.

Nintendo has delivered yet again, refining and polishing the groundwork they laid out two years ago. Simply put, Splatoon 2 is a must-have for any Switch owner.

Giving players more of the same isn’t always a bad thing and Splatoon 2 gives Switch owners another fantastic game to add to their lineup. Taking the formula from the Wii U original and tweaking it here and there the game might not surprise all that much, but it does deliver a fantastic and unique shooter experience from start to finish.

It deepens in every aspect of Splatoon. The Addition of a coop mode, Salmon Run, the new levels in Hero mode and the original maps and weapons in online 4 v 4 battles complete a superb shooter. On the downside, we miss split screen multiplayer, more maps, and the voice chat system feels too complicated.

Splatoon 2 may not reach the same heights of the previous game in terms of originality, however it’s still a worthy sequel that does enhance the overall experience of this franchise. The single-player is a treat, however where Splatoon 2 shines is via its multiplayer mode that is pure chaos from the get go. With both ranked and unranked matches, Splatoon 2’s multiplayer is thoroughly entertaining and gives players from around the world the chance to engage in some competitive fun as you level up your Avatar while shooting your coloured ink in a variety of ways which is pure ingenious fun.

Superior but safe, Splatoon 2 should achieve the soaraway success the original deserved. [Sept 2017, p.68]

Rather than a full blown sequel, Splatoon 2 frankly feels more like an (impressive) extension of the original episode, especially if you've been splatting around since 2015. Players of the Wii U chapter will truly feel at home, with a sense of familiarity that will certainly replace the stunning surprise effect that made the franchise so unique, while the newcomers will have the pleasure to experience one of the best and most original shooters ever created (one the perfectly embodies the so called “Nintendo Difference”). That said, with more courage and better online options this sequel would have been even more impressive.

Splatoon 2 could’ve done more to differentiate itself from its predecessor, but ultimately what we’re left with is an upgrade over the original in almost every way. Sure, returning players might be underwhelmed with the familiarity, but anyone jumping into Splatoon for the first time will be blown away. Another Switch essential, especially for those multiplayer fans – let’s just hope Nintendo’s smartphone app works as elegantly.

Though never fun in real life, spilling ink all around is even more fun in Splatoon 2 than it was in the first game. Teaming up with your squid friends has never been better. But even though some weird Nintendo elements can drag the fun to a stall, everywhere that Splatoon 2 shines makes it a deserving heir to the original.

It’s still the same brilliant game but this time available on a console that you can take anywhere with you. I expected more, but it turned out that it’s enough for me. [09/2017, p.54]

An overall great sequel to the original, color-splashing action shooter. Minor improvements to the Hero mode might not be enough for veteran players, but with the multiplayer component of the game being better than ever, Splatoon 2 can easily guarantee hours and hours of co-op paintball action.

The sequel is not exactly long on fresh ideas, but the multiplayer is sheer joy and it reminds me of Perfect Dark Zero and TimeSplitters 2.

Splatoon 2 manages to deliver an addictive and engaging online multiplayer experience with plenty of ways to keep you busy and layers of satisfying combat to keep you coming back. The lack of social features is a significant flaw, but it isn't a fatal one, and hopefully we'll see that aspect of the game improved in the near future.

At the end of the day, should you add this game to your Nintendo Switch? Uh, yeah. It’s a fun game that has some depth right out of the gate. In addition, and this is the perspective of a parent, if your kids have never played online battles before, then this is a game to start them on. The innocence of the game is there, as is the Nintendo assurance that your kids aren’t going to rage quit. That’s always a good thing to avoid, especially when your console is basically a high-end tablet (I mean that with respect, Nintendo fans). Anyway, drop the dough and grab this game. It’s quality.

The main mantra of Splatoon 2 seems to be ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, and this is fine. This new Switch offering is robust, full of content and fun. Go and feed your hungry home-handheld hybrid.

Splatoon 2 adds some great new weapons and decent new modes, but an over-reliance on the its familiar formula keeps it from feeling like a full-blown sequel.

Splatoon 2 is a clear evolution of the first chapter but it isn't as innovative as it has to be.

Splatoon 2 provides a second chance at life for the Wii U’s best game, drawing in a new Switch audience with the staples that made the first game great and adding just enough quality of life adjustments and new modes to entice veterans. Robust launch content and a steady stream of promised updates should quickly soothe series naysayers, even if there are still a few desired features off the table. Above all else, Splatoon 2 radiates silly, squiddy fun throughout; a don’t-miss title when you take the plunge and pick up a Switch.

This might just be a half-step forward for Splatoon, but the first step was so good that it’s not really a bad thing.

Splatoon 2 is arguably the best entry in a multiplayer game from Nintendo. The game does everything better than the original Splatoon, although at first glance it could seem the same. Salmon Run and Hero Mode are just honey in the overall; it is excellent in its conception.

With some impressive titles already released this year, the Nintendo Switch continues its hot streak with Splatoon 2. This may seem like a bold statement but Splatoon 2 finds itself to be one of the best shooters available right now. Granted, it is hard to compare gritty AAA first-person shooters with Splatoon 2 but it's equally hard to argue against the aesthetically pleasing visuals, smooth framerate, polished gameplay, and pure fun of the game.

With more concessions for higher level play and a deeper meta, veterans will be jumping ship from Wii U to Switch in an instant.

Splatoon 2 delivers everything that made the original great and tosses in a few improvements for good measure. The Switch library just keeps getting better.

Splatoon 2 feels exactly the same as the predecessor and provides at least as much fun.

There’s a lot to love in Nintendo’s second iteration of its quirky shooter, especially the way Splatoon 2 emphasizes splatting the ground just as much as it does inking your opponents. The new additions to its single-player campaign and multiplayer modes are a step in the right direction, but it still has some work to do to make joining online games and voice chat less of a hassle. Still, with an addicting new Salmon Run co-op mode and the promise of free updates like the ones that helped the original Splatoon come into its own, I expect Splatoon 2 to keep me hooked.

Splatoon 2 is exactly the same as the first game, which is disappointing. However, the gameplay and fresh style of Splatoon 2 make those feelings fade away quickly. It is so much fun to compete online.

A great evolution of Splatoon's original formula, but doesn't do enough to become a real contender on the competitive scene.

Although sometimes it feels like Splatoon 1.5, this sequel has some interesting additions, as well as the incredibly fun and deep gameplay from the original. Also, we've loved the new Salmon Run mode, and we can't wait to see what Nintendo has planned for this title.

With an great competitive multiplayer suite, a fun take on the wave-based survival formula, and an imaginative single-player mode, Splatoon 2 is an excellent evolution.

The absence of the traditional gimmick that every Nintendo sequel usually features was actually the right call for Splatoon 2. In the end, Splatoon 2 is a compelling, quick and fun multiplayer game, suitable for new players -due to the simplicity of its mechanics- and veterans that will be seduced by the complex and tactical challenges in Ranked and League Battles.

Splatoon 2 builds on what its successor did so well, with a much larger base of assets that has allowed Nintendo to provide more to consumers right off the bat.

Splatoon extended its content and has brought a funny storyline in the second episode. Both newcomers to the Switch and fans of the first game, this is a must-have for you. [Issue#277]

PvP in Splatoon 2 is so good that Nintendo wouldn’t be Nintendo if they didn’t try to squander it: three of four game types are only available on schedule (isn’t that why we play games – to follow some arbitrary schedules someone in Nintendo HQ came up with?). Well, at least Turf War is always unlocked – and it’s the best one of them anyway. [Issue#222, p.66]

The game, like its predecessor, only truly comes alive when played with and against others, and thanks to Salmon Run it now offers something for everyone. It may not quite deliver enough of a progression to feel like a true sequel, but it is the definitive Splatoon experience, and deserves a place in every Switch owner's library.

If the thrill of the new is gone, old pleasures remain: the exhilaration of the final-minute countdown as the music increases in tempo, or the ice-cream jingle of the Tower as it advances into enemy territory. Crucially, that infectiously exuberant spirit is undimmed. More of the same? For once, that'll do nicely. [Issue#310, p.104]

Splatoon 2 is yet another example of a company that is hitting a similar stride to when it was at its creative peak - when new features like innovations, not gimmicks. Importantly, Splatoon 2 does improve on the original in every way. [Issue#190, p.73]

Splatoon 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but its refinements and tweaks are all for the better. Besides some niggling – though hopefully fixable – issues, this sequel is something Switch owners should well and truly check out. It's a blast, no matter which mode you choose to play.

Those hankering for a wildly robust and addictive competitive experience should absolutely take a dip into the neon-drenched waters of Splatoon 2. More so than Mario Kart 8, it offers a level of customisation, depth, and sheer fun that is rarely found anywhere else.

Despite the wireless issues, weird schedules, and a bit of familiarity, Splatoon 2 comes out on top overall. The various modes, weapons, and gear offer a lot of strategic options to experiment with, but anyone can jump in, have fun, and feel like they’re contributing. It’s easy to get carried away for hours, splattering the world with ink, and we look forward to seeing how Splatoon 2 expands as Nintendo adds new elements over the coming months.

Players that have sploshed around in Splatoon may find this sequel a little too reserved and iterative, particularly when some of its less endearing idiosyncracies remain. But Splatoon 2 is also a more complete version of a game not enough people played. An intoxicating splash of colour and invention in a genre usually reserved for grit.

Splatoon 2 is a game for the players who want truly colorful Nintendo fun. It may look small, poor and less intelligent that all the big online shooters, but getting to know this game can be a really good idea. Splatoon 2 is child-like but the playability is off the charts.

General distaste for some of the game’s networking features has surrounded Splatoon 2 since launch, but none of these choices ruin the experience. Bizarre, dated design choices hold back online play, but with free updates and new content coming in the next few months, it will be interesting to see how this already great game can improve.

Splatoon 2 is a fun and chaotic shooter with a lot of charm. The single-player, while short, delivers a lot of diverse fun with cool boss fights. But it's main attraction is the multiplayer, which is a lot of fun to play, although it has its limitations.

It’s all splendid, five-star quality gaming, except none of it works with the Switch’s most distinctive characteristic: You can’t play multiplayer on split screen with a single Switch. You need two copies of the game and two consoles minimum to get your multiplayer on, a missed opportunity and a disappointment given how well this game could play with two people.

Splatoon 2 gets so much right that it’s easy to ignore the occasional baffling ways in which Nintendo has failed to score into an open goal.

While Splatoon 2 wasn’t the go-all-out sequel I would have loved to have seen following the original Wii U game, simply getting it onto the Switch and giving it a selection of new content still makes a trip back to Inkopolis more than worthwhile. Previous fans should find enough new here to reignite their interest in the series, while new players will have a whole lot of fantastic gaming to sink their cephalopod teeth into.

Turf War is where Splatoon 2 shines, and the same goes for the co-op Salmon Run mode. The single-player stuff is here, and quite solid, but is secondary to the core online experience. The most difficult part of Hero Mode usually comes down to finding each of the stages in the overworld, and then trying to collect all the hidden pieces within that unlock new stuff. For the most part, it serves as a great training ground for Turf War, with interesting boss encounters and charming character design and art direction. As a Nintendo Switch exclusive Splatoon 2 joins an already stellar first-party line-up for a console that is still only a few months old.

The new game plays like a dream and is the same excellent, balanced, and replayable game and the horde mode shows that at least Nintendo is thinking, but calling the rest of the game a “sequel,” might be a bit of a push.

Consider Splatoon 2 the definitive version of the original game and this is an excellent proposition. Its multiplayer action is still some of the best and most creative around, and for fans who ploughed plenty of hours into the original game, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Splatoon 2 is a measured dose of the same game you likely remember from the Wii U, a colorfully-inked tour-de-force of multiplayer action with a single-player afterthought. You'll want to clock hours and hours in-game for sure, but you'll be left scratching your head at some of the strange decisions Nintendo made this time around. Luckily, there's still plenty of fun to be had here, even if you can't decide if you're a kid or a squid.

Splatoon 2 is the equivalent to a beautiful, but moody girlfriend. Mostly you have a great time, but sometimes the inherited quirks are too much to bear. Having said that, the mechanics of this ink shooter still feel fresh, but some lack of content is still evident - as is the problem with time restrictions with certain modes (e.g. Salmon Run) and the finicky online app. (updated 07/21/17)

A brilliant and refreshing competitive multiplayer experience, both online and offline, which really fills a void in that regard for the system.

Splatoon 2 does not differ much from the first game, but its strong gameplay is very entertaining in multiplayer. Matchmaking and the party system are a bit of a let-down, but other than that, this is a must-have for Switch.

Aside from a couple of incomprehensible mistakes (like multiplayer lobbies which can’t be escaped and the inability to change your loadout between games), Splatoon 2 is a really entertaining title with vibrant visuals and a rich and diverse offer. A suggested buy for every Switch owner.

Despite imperfections, Splatoon 2 improves on the original, and is a colourful, joyous addition to the Switch.

Splatoon 2 doesn't add much to shake up the splat-paint-everywhere formula, but I wonder if it needs to at this point. Splatoon 2 is a much stronger game at launch than its original ever was through its whole lifespan, and for that, is easily one of the best games one can own on the Switch.

Splatoon 2’s formula no longer feels original, but it looks great, its controls are tight, and there’s enough variety to give you dozens of hours of multiplayer fun.

Splatoon 2 keeps everything that worked in the first episode to deliver a strong but somehow light sequel. Fortunately, the Salmon Run mode seems new enough to bring back the fun, as this cooperative option took us by surprise. Fans will love, haters gonna hate, but Splatoon should benefit from the Switch phenomenal success to increase its fan-base.

It’s baffling that Splatoon 2’s best feature is held back by a frustrating lack of proper online support, and in many ways, it’s the same game with some new tricks. But there are still enough imaginative additions for anyone who played the first game to death, especially via its strange, captivating supporting cast. It may be much more of the same, but the same is still pretty fresh.

At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in.

Spatoon 2 may feel more like an update than a new game, but just like its predecessor it’s easy to pick up for everyone – whether you’re a hardcore Splatoon-fan or new to the series. Additionally, the new weapons and abilities are all fun to use, and really deepen the mechanics. This is in every way a better game than the first one.

Splatoon 2 is a far more robust, polished game, with heaps more content than its debut ever had, but still sadly retains some of its biggest shortfalls. An absurdly addictive formula of gameplay that remains unique and inviting, but with an encompassing online infrastructure that’s sometimes at odds with itself.

Splatoon 2 takes what made the original such a remarkable game and improves it in nearly every way: the campaign mode is better, so is the audiovisual environment, the gameplay does not lose a single trace of appeal and the local multiplayer works wonders. While the online multiplayer experience could be better and the campaign's ending feels a bit disappointing, Splatoon 2 has earned its place in Nintendo's refreshing series.

There is so much to like about Splatoon 2. When it comes to the actual gameplay, I don't think there are many experiences that touch it right now. It's addictive and enjoyable. It's just a shame that history is repeating itself, and the stupid things surrounding the game let it down.

A fairly straightforward sequel to one of the Wii U's best games, Splatoon 2's unique take on the online multiplayer shooter is as fresh as ever on Switch. Nintendo still have one foot in the past with online functionality, stubbornly sticking to their (paint) guns when they should be learning from others, but these flaws are easily covered up once you get into a game. At its heart, Splatoon 2 is a second helping of one of the most inventive shooters of the last decade.

Unlike its unique predecessor, you largely know what you’re getting into with this third person ink shooter sequel, but that’s not a bad thing. Shortcomings aside, Splatoon 2 still just might be the best multiplayer experience on the Nintendo Switch so far.

Splatoon 2 is polished. Everything about it feels deliberate, but I don’t understand half of the choices made with it. It’s an odd game I love and hate and enjoy and get maddened by.

The single player feels much more fleshed out, and Salmon Run is a blast. There are just two many weird setbacks to how the game works. Rotating only two maps per mode, keeping Salmon Run online locked behind events, and of course the online app. Sure Nintendo has promised lots of updates to Splatoon 2, and I believe them, but right now I feel like there are too many barriers for me to enjoy it to its fullest potential.

Sadly, the campaign is the only offline mode in Splatoon 2, and made me wish for something a bit more to complement it, especially given the Switch’s handheld capabilities suited for on-the-go play. Even if there was something as simple as bot matches against enemy AI for practicing on the train or bus and then hopping into online matches at home, it feels like a missed opportunity for Splatoon 2 to have some other offerings that aren’t so online-dependent.