Splatoon Raiders has rolled out this week for Nintendo Switch 2, transforming the Salmon Run co-op mode (waves of Salmonid enemies) into a single-player campaign built around looter-shooter mechanics. According to Eurogamer, the game is "a hectic, often overwhelming delight".
Early critical reception points to a successful experiment. Metacritic averages 80 across 65 reviews, while OpenCritic sits at 81 with 21 published analyses so far, as reported by Adrenaline. Destructoid highlighted how the game "feels incredibly seamless" and works both for looter-shooter fans and those new to the Splatoon franchise.
The story follows Deep Cut members (Shiver, Frye, and Big Man) alongside a pilot-turned-mechanic on the Spirhalite Islands, hunting treasure to pay off Splatsville's debts. The game offers solo campaign and local and online multiplayer modes. According to Siliconera, Raiders expands Salmon Run's loop with campaign stages and continuous collection of Golden Eggs, Spirhalite Shards, and weapons.
GamesRadar noted the game "smartly translates Squidling vibes into a looter-shooter," though some repetition creeps in across its mechanics. Nintendo also released a new overview trailer showcasing gameplay elements and amiibo compatibility ahead of launch.
