.png)
As Nintendo builds up to Splatoon’s May 29 release, it’s only
a matter of time before we spray and splatter ink in single and multiplayer
matches. We’ve had a lot to say about Splatoon at
the IGN office. It’s a ton of fun to make a mess with ink. But it’s even more
satisfying to examine the aftermath, since the stages look like two-tone
Kandinsky paintings. Recently, IGN went hands-on with a few new modes and
features. Here’s what we learned.
Training Grounds
Battle Dojo, a 1v1 offline
multiplayer versus mode, changes the focus from spraying up territory to
popping balloons. These skirmishes unfold in the same arenas as multiplayer
Turf Wars. Here, a column of colored rings indicates where a set of inflated targets
will spawn. The player with the highest score at the end of five minutes wins.
As a way to push for a potential comeback, the point value doubles in the later
moments of a match.
Rather than simply divide your
attention between stationary targets and a mobile opponent, Battle Dojo tosses
in special moves as a potential X factor. Unassuming wooden crates contain
surprise abilities to dominate your rival, but you have to use them
immediately. A representative for Nintendo told us that not all of the special
moves seen in multiplayer show up in this mode. In the end, the developers
focused on keeping the action balanced between two players. That said, if you
zoom out in front of your opponent there is a mercy rule: The first player to
score 30 points wins.
But What About Amiibo?
Nintendo announced Splatoon would
support amiibo a few weeks ago, so it wasn’t a huge surprise to find the three
new figures present at our demo. One thing to note with the next set of
dedicated toys-to-life is the high quality of the figures themselves. That’s
right, the Splatoon amiibo might be the best plastic amiibo Nintendo has yet
made. Inkling Boy and Girl each boast lots of neat little details, from the
smooth, slippery feel of girl’s pigtail tentacles to the tiny plastic canister
(with matching ink) mounted on each character’s back. Inkling Squid’s stand is
also remarkable, and it’s a far cry from the monstrous yellow brick that kept
Smash Series Link standing.
In terms of actual in-game application, Splatoon’s amiibo
have a charming introduction: An empty amiibo box sits in a corner of
Inkopolis, the hub world where players jump between single and multiplayer.
Approaching the container and scanning the figures summons one of the three
characters onto the pedestal. And each one has a challenge in tow. “What’s
kraken, playa?” Inkling Boy says with a smile, before he unveils a list of
trials and potential rewards. Certain missions reward you with gold, other hand
out exclusive amiibo-only equipment. The special outfits are a cool extra, the
trials that reward just money feel like an afterthought.
The Divide
Splatoon’s world has a ton of
personality. The Inkling characters each look mischievous, as they cover the
arenas with oozing colors and wicked smiles. But Nintendo has gone certain
lengths to divide the single/multiplayer modes. And this split comes bundled
with a few interesting decisions.
The shopkeepers (and their gear) are
a big part of the online multiplayer package, for example. But if you’re not
connected to the Internet, you cannot buy anything to customize your character.
Nintendo appears dedicated to roll out gear over time that provides both a
unique look and useful utility. Meanwhile, single player has its own sets of
gear, and a separate form of currency called Power Eggs beefs up each one.
This isn’t necessarily a terrible
sign, but a fully customized character that travels between both single and
multiplayer could dial down any potential fatigue. If you’re playing offline,
you’re missing out on some cool-looking gear. It’s a bit unfortunate to see
Splatoon divide its vibrant outfits and perk mechanics into two separate pools.
Producer Hisashi Nogami assures us
you’ll still have fun. And the skills you build in campaign still matter.
“There isn’t a gear or equipment link between single-player and multiplayer.
So, it’s not that you earn money in single player to then spend in
multiplayer,” he said. “Instead, the link is more focused on skill. You
practice your controls and develop skills in single player and then you can
take those with you into multiplayer.
The last thing that stood out to us
was user customization. Splatoon doesn’t offer custom match types with friends
like Smash Bros. Specific user settings for look sensitivity controls can only
be adjusted before (or after) a match. So if you’ve set one too high (or too
low) you’ll have to jump out in order to make adjustments. It feels slightly
backwards for an action shooter released in 2015.
These still feel like small issues
for a game capable of much grander ambition. Splatoon is fun to play. And it’s
rewarding. Whether splattering foes with a roller brush or using it to claim a
swath of territory, both actions come bundled with a thorough feeling of
accomplishment. This inky new game could be a big win for Wii U, and one that
makes the typically harsh world of shooting games approachable
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon