Splatoon Raiders review Switch 2 breaks down the new single-player looter shooter spinoff, its co-op mode, weapon depth, and whether it’s worth buying at launch on Nintendo’s newest console.
Splatoon Raiders Review Switch 2 Reveals Nintendo’s Boldest Splatoon Experiment Yet
Splatoon Raiders review Switch 2 conversations have been building for weeks, and now that the game is actually out, it’s clear Nintendo took a real gamble here. This isn’t another turf war game where two teams race to cover the most ground. Raiders drops the competitive multiplayer entirely and hands you a single-player looter shooter instead, something the series has genuinely never attempted before.
I went in curious and a little skeptical. Splatoon has always been about fast three-minute matches against other players, so cutting that out felt risky on paper. After spending real hours with it, though, I get why Nintendo made the call. This is a different kind of game wearing familiar ink-soaked clothes, and it mostly earns the swap.
Let’s break down what it actually plays like, where it shines, and where it stumbles.
What Splatoon Raiders Actually Is
You play as a mechanic working alongside the Deep Cut trio, Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, after their boat crashes on the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. Your job is simple on the surface: explore the islands, hunt down treasure, and gather materials to fix up their new home. Underneath that cozy setup sits a full-blown loot-driven shooter with hordes of enemies, boss fights, and gear upgrades layered several systems deep.
The core mechanic stays true to the series. You still spray ink instead of bullets, swim through your own color to refill ammo, and use the same playful movement that made the original games so satisfying. What changes is the structure. Instead of arena matches, you’re running through levels, mowing down waves of enemies, and eventually facing a tough boss that drops a pile of loot when you take it down.
It plays like Nintendo took its beloved Salmon Run side mode and built an entire game around it. That comparison isn’t an insult. Salmon Run was always one of the most requested modes to expand, and Raiders finally gives it room to breathe.
Curious how deep the loot system actually goes? It surprised me more than I expected.
The Weapon Depth Nobody Saw Coming
Here’s where Raiders quietly flexes. Looking at screenshots, you’d assume this is a simple, kid-friendly shooter with a handful of weapons and basic upgrades. That assumption falls apart fast once you start unlocking gear.
There are around a hundred weapon variations to collect and mix, along with gadgets and different ink types that change how each build feels. Shooters, rollers, chargers, and the odder specialty weapons all return, each with several loot-based versions that shift their stats and abilities. Building a loadout that fits your playstyle takes real thought, and the game rewards experimenting rather than sticking with one setup the whole way through.
This depth rivals plenty of dedicated looter shooters on other platforms. For a game wrapped in bright colors and squid puns, that level of systemic complexity is a genuine surprise, and it’s the strongest reason to keep playing past the first few hours.
Difficulty That Sneaks Up on You
Don’t let the cartoon presentation fool you either. Raiders gets legitimately hard the deeper you go. Enemy waves scale up fast, bosses demand real pattern recognition, and later levels punish sloppy loadouts. Anyone who remembers grinding tough Salmon Run shifts in past games will feel right at home here.
That difficulty curve is one of the better surprises in the whole package. The game never feels like it’s coasting on charm alone. You have to actually get better, learn enemy attacks, and adjust your gear to keep pace.
Co-Op Mode: Fun, But With a Catch
Raiders supports co-op for up to four players, and level difficulty scales depending on your group size. Playing with friends captures that same energy you get from dungeon runs in bigger online games, teaming up, splitting objectives, and celebrating when a tough fight finally goes your way.
There’s a real catch worth knowing before you jump into co-op with strangers or less experienced friends, though. Everyone in a group shares a single life pool. If one player keeps getting splatted, the whole team goes down with them. That setup can create tension fast, especially with newer players who feel like they’re dragging the group down.
It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does mean co-op works best with a squad you already trust rather than random matchmaking when stakes feel high. Nintendo could have handled this differently, and it’s a fair critique even from reviewers who otherwise loved the game.
Wondering if the story mode holds its own without any PvP at all? Here’s the honest breakdown.
Story and Presentation: Light on Plot, Heavy on Vibes
The narrative here stays simple and cheerful, matching the tone of every previous Splatoon release. You’re not getting a deep story with major twists. You’re getting island exploration, cute character banter from the Deep Cut trio, and enough personality to keep things charming between combat stretches.
Some critics have pointed out that the story feels thin compared to the mechanical depth surrounding it. That’s a fair point. If you came hoping for a rich narrative to match games like Splatoon Raiders’ looter shooter inspirations, you might walk away wanting more substance. If you came for gameplay loop satisfaction and Nintendo’s signature charm, the presentation delivers exactly what you’d expect.
Visually, the Spirhalite Islands look vibrant and full of personality, taking advantage of Switch 2’s sharper output. Docked play looks crisp with ink effects staying readable even during chaotic boss fights. Handheld mode holds up well too, keeping colors bright without draining the battery too fast during longer sessions.
Pacing and How Long It Takes to Finish
Reports on completion time vary depending on how deep you go into the loot chase. A straightforward run through the main content lands in a reasonable weekend-length window, while chasing better gear, tougher endgame challenges, and full completion easily doubles that. Several reviewers noted reaching the credits and still finding themselves pulled back in thanks to an engaging endgame loop worth returning to.
That kind of staying power matters a lot for a game built around collecting and upgrading gear. A loot system only works if people want to keep chasing better drops, and Raiders seems to have nailed that pull for most players who gave it real time.
Who Should Actually Buy Splatoon Raiders
Buy it now if you enjoy looter shooters and want something built around genuine progression rather than fast competitive matches. It’s also a strong pick if you have a small group of friends who want a co-op game with real depth, not just a quick multiplayer distraction.
Hold off if you specifically bought into Splatoon for its competitive turf war scene, since that mode simply isn’t here. This spinoff trades PvP entirely for a solo and co-op adventure, which is a meaningful shift some longtime fans may not want.
For anyone open to trying something different from Nintendo, though, Raiders earns its price tag through sheer gameplay depth and satisfying combat feel.
FAQ Splatoon Raiders on Switch 2
Does Splatoon Raiders have competitive multiplayer like turf war?
No. This spinoff focuses entirely on single-player and co-op looter shooter gameplay, with no PvP modes included.
How many players can join co-op?
Up to four players can team up, with enemy difficulty scaling based on group size.
Is the co-op mode beginner friendly?
It can be tricky for newer players since the whole team shares one life pool, meaning one player getting knocked out repeatedly affects everyone.
How many weapons are in the game?
Around a hundred weapon variations exist, along with different gadgets and ink types to customize your loadout.
How long does it take to finish the main story?
A straightforward playthrough takes roughly a weekend’s worth of sessions, with much longer playtime if you chase full gear progression and endgame content.
Is this game connected to Splatoon 3?
It’s a standalone spinoff set on the Spirhalite Islands featuring the Deep Cut trio, separate from the main numbered series.
When did Splatoon Raiders release and what does it cost?
It launched July 23 on Nintendo Switch 2 at a standard full-price tag for a major first-party title.
Splatoon Raiders takes a real risk by stripping away the competitive multiplayer that built the franchise, then replaces it with a looter shooter loop that turns out to be genuinely satisfying. It won’t win over everyone who loved turf war battles, but as a first attempt at solo and co-op Splatoon, it lands far better than skeptics expected.
Ready to see the loot chase for yourself? Jump into the Spirhalite Islands before your friends beat you to the best gear.
