.png)
.png)
Shooter games seem to be all the rage nowadays, from Overwatch to Homefront: The Revolution. These games are known for their amazing graphics, unique characters, intriguing storyline, and most importantly, the first-person shooter. I haven’t personally played any of these games due to the fact that they are shooter games (they don’t align with my values being that I am a Jehovah’s Witness), but I’ve heard good things about the games.
Now, I don’t know how many people would consider Nintendo’s Splatoon 2 a shooter game, but since it involves paint guns, or shall I say ink guns, in my book it does count as one. Of course, there are weapons that are not guns which include huge paint rollers, buckets, umbrellas, giant paint brushes, and sloshers. I also noticed the shooters themselves in other games are not children, or at least don’t look it; they probably also don’t have the ability to change themselves into a squid or octopus.
This neat game is a third-person shooter for the Nintendo Switch and a sequel
to Splatoon on Wii U. It features ink-based shooting mechanics, and it has new stages, weapons, and a new horde mode called Salmon Run. It was released last year on July, 17th. The player has a few options on what they want to play on the game: a story mode (another part I will focus on later) or online multiplayer battles.
The online multiplayer battles have many stages that the player will battle in including Goby Arena, Manta Maria, Inkblot Art Academy, The Reef, Moray Tower, and Port Mackerel (Moray Tower and Port Mackerel are both original stages from Splatoon). Each stage has some sort of hazard, the main one being Water; elevated platforms; plenty of inkable area (each stage has a different amount of inkable areas), spawning areas for each team (the color varies for teams: Magenta, Orange, Yellow-orange, Lime green, Emerald, Turquoise, Blue, Purple, Red-orange, Sky blue, and Light blue are the main colors [colors also vary depending on the Splatfest theme, for example, Milk Tea Vs. Lemon Tea colors were Yellow and Cream]); different routes; a railing system (depends on stage).
Many people might straight away categorize Splatoon 2 as a kids’ game due to the cute characters, no bloodshed, and the fact that they are using paintball like weapons. I can agree that the characters are absolutely adorable and that they pretty much do not use violent weapons.
Still, the actual gameplay can make it a bit challenging for younger gamers whereas preteens and teens do not have too much of a problem with the gameplay. The less challenging portion of the game is the Regular Battle, Turf War, where the main goal is to cover as much area with your team’s ink color as you can and try to beat the other team before time runs out. Each player is marked at a certain level, level 1 to 50, and depending on how many battles you have played, you can level up your character; the thing is, though, they don’t filter the levels. This is where it gets somewhat challenging, for if you are level one player, you can get stuck playing with or against a level 30 player who is usually more experienced at the game then you are. To add to that complication, even though it is a regular battle, other players can be very competitive, not so helpful, or really terrible at the game. Also, it depends on what type of weapon you use and how great you are at using the weapon. Then there is the fact you have to play in different areas every two hours.
Of course though, if you are the type of gamer that likes these kinds of things, then I suggest you play the Ranked or League battle. In the Ranked battle, there are four different modes: Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz. (I’m somewhat guilty for I’ve only played one mode so far).
In Tower Control, the player's goal is to try to work with their teammates to take over the tower and keep it all the way through four checkpoints without losing it to the other team before time runs out.
In Splat Zones, your team's goal is to cover the selected zones with your team’s ink color and to try to stop the other team from taking control of it before the five minutes are over; each team is also given 100 seconds to try to keep those zones, and if the losing team has the most “time points,” then the game will go into Overtime.
In Rainmaker, the goal is for your team to snag the Rainmaker before the other team, and once your team has a hold of the Rainmaker, you need to run over to the other team’s base; the problem is the Rainmaker is really heavy, making it harder for you to get over to the other team’s base. The Rainmaker is explosive after 60 seconds have passed (don’t try to retreat to your side for that will make the timer goes faster). You can’t use special weapons, and you can be tracked by the other team.
Then in Clam Blitz, your goal is to collect 10 clams and create a Power Clam; once you have a Power Clam, you go over to the other team’s barrier and try to destroy it; while the other team’s barrier is down, you have to try to throw more clams into their basket within the 10 seconds given. Your character is also given a rank when playing Ranked Battles; you start off with -C and you can work your way up to rank +S (these are filtered and you will play with others of the same rank). I have not played any League Battles yet, so I cannot give too much detail about it other than it is two hours and you play with up to two to four players. There is also Splatfest that the player can participate in on weekends when available; during Splatfest, the player can choose a team to be on, depending on the theme and battle, with teammates to help your side win the contest.
Overall, I love the game, for there is a lot for the player to do whether you are a hardcore and competitive player or a gamer that likes to take things easy. It is great to be able to play a shooter game that does not have too much violence involved or any gore included. There are occasionally drawings from players in the Main Square that I did not agree with, but it is nice to be able to interact with fellow digital artists and to able to play with other players that will not say something inappropriate (there is no chat on the game). Also, the controls are pretty easy to use, and the graphics are amazing! There are many clothing and weapon choices on the game making it easy to customize and use a weapon that suits your fighting style. Though other players are a little nerve-racking, the different modes are fun and very addicting. I really suggest this game to anyone who wants to play a shooter game but doesn’t want have to deal with gore or lots of violence and also likes cute squid or octopus characters that go “Woomy!”
Comments