Splatoon Raiders Preview – Seasoned Salmon, Solo

I’ve always had a modest, yet unwavering affection for Nintendo’s squid‑shooter series, Splatoon. Although I missed its debut on the Wii U, the vibrant, inventive world of Splatoon 2 captured me in 2017 and quickly became my top‑tier favorite. Over the years I’ve logged thousands of hours—most of them in the PVE mode, Salmon Run—delving into its lore, debating strategies, and even listening to its electrifying soundtrack daily. Naturally, when Nintendo Australia invited me for an exclusive hands‑on preview of Splatoon Raiders, my excitement was tempered with professional curiosity.

While every mainline Splatoon title has paired a narrative mode with its core PVP, Splatoon Raiders is the first in the franchise to focus exclusively on a single‑player experience. The game follows the idol group Deep Cut, who, after a helicopter crash, find themselves stranded on the Spirhalite Islands in search of rumored treasure. Our preview began on a fresh save, guiding us through the opening and tutorial before leaping into more challenging levels with expanded customization. You assume the role of the Mechanic, a resourceful pilot drawn into the idols’ adventure, and with allies Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, you traverse the archipelago and confront the aggressive, amphibious fish guarding the island’s loot.

If you’ve ever ventured into Splatoon’s co‑op mode, Salmon Run, you’ll instantly recognize the fishy adversaries as Salmonids. These foes range from tiny, spoon‑brandishing smallfry to formidable bosses with distinct attack patterns and exploitable weaknesses. However, Raiders is unmistakably different—there are no golden eggs to ferry, and the objectives are far more varied, tailoring the gameplay to a solo adventure.

Raiders is structured into distinct levels—called raids—that guide you through the new island setting. A member of Deep Cut accompanies you in the Bot Buddy mech suit, providing combat support, aiding traversal of challenging terrain, or drilling into subterranean layers in search of loot. Your immediate goals shift with each location: you might clear out Salmonids so your companion can safely break up Spirhalite crystals, or harvest power eggs to fuel the Bot Buddy’s drill. As you progress, the difficulty escalates with area bosses—Seasoned Salmonids such as the Thick‑Cut Salty Tongue—who must be defeated before time runs out.

Splatoon Raiders redefines the classic Salmon Run experience by revamping enemy tactics to keep players constantly engaged. The Big Shot now ricochets on a spring, abandoning its usual shoreline cannon barrage, while the Fish Stick introduces a winder that lets you lower its towering platform—crucial for short‑range weapons that would otherwise struggle against the high‑flying smallfry. The game also expands its difficulty ladder, adding a beginner‑friendly Tourist mode and a Survivalist tier that sits between Tourist and the more demanding Raider level, ensuring that both newcomers and veterans find a suitable challenge.

The new adversaries boast distinctive personalities and culinary quirks that set them apart from their main‑line counterparts. Among the most memorable is Tong Chum, a quirky character who wobbles around wielding tongs twice his height—a playful homage to the Salmonid obsession with food. Fans can expect a parade of similarly themed foes, from frypans to woks, each adding a splash of humor and flavor to the battlefield.

Players start their island adventure with a modest Splattershot Jr., a lightweight but highly paintable weapon that’s easy to master. As you defeat Salmonids, you’ll unlock a variety of weapons across different classes, and each can be leveled up. While the preview didn’t fully reveal how leveling translates to increased power at higher difficulties, the system promises to reward progression throughout the campaign.

Splatoon Raiders keeps its trademark blend of over‑the‑top comedy, playful absurdity, and water‑centric wordplay, ensuring players are laughing throughout the playtest. The franchise’s vibrant visuals return, featuring a range of quirky hairstyles and a wardrobe of chic outfits. A handful of standout looks can be unlocked with the Splatoon Raiders amiibo, though the price tag may raise eyebrows in today’s market.

Although the core of Splatoon Raiders centers on solo play, we also tested its cooperative mode, where squads tackle the same stages. Multiplayer difficulty is raised by boosting enemy health instead of flooding the battlefield with bosses, making boss encounters tougher regardless of weapon synergy. Moreover, players cannot revive teammates; instead, a communal reserve of six lives is shared, depleting once all are lost. These changes could reshape the strategic approach that fans have come to expect from Salmon Run, and the author is eager to observe how veteran teams adapt.