Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 brings back everything fun about the original and adds an awesome new horde mode to top it all off.The only thing holding this game back is Nintendo's perplexing decision to hide new content away from players for weeks at a time.

All in all, Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion is a masterclass in how to do DLC right. It fits in perfectly with the standalone game, provides a heap of tailor-made content and furthers the story of the Inklings’ and Octolings’ world effortlessly and beautifully. As a single player experience it outmatches the standard Octo Canyon mode significantly, and even though it does allow players to acquire exclusive items, it manages to avoid affecting any of the mechanics of online play, so non-purchasers will never be at a disadvantage. If you’re a fan of Splatoon in any capacity and you want more to sink...

Splatoon 2 picks up what Splatoon on the Wii U founded, and builds upon it in a great way

If you’re the type of person who tried Splatoon for a little while and gave up, Nintendo hasn’t done a whole lot to change your mind outside of adding a horde mode. But with more concessions for higher-level play and a deeper meta, veterans will be jumping ship from Wii U to Switch in an instant. Here’s hoping that Splatoon 2 gets even more long-term support and Salmon Run is free of the shackles of a “once in a while” event for those of you who don’t have multiple Switches at your disposal.

There’s a lot to love in Nintendo’s second iteration of its quirky shooter, especially the way Splatoon 2 emphasizes splatting the ground just as much as it does inking your opponents. The new additions to its single-player campaign and multiplayer modes are a step in the right direction, but it still has some work to do to make joining online games and voice chat less of a hassle. Still, with an addicting new Salmon Run co-op mode and the promise of free updates like the ones that helped the original Splatoon come into its own, I expect Splatoon 2 to keep me hooked.

Not squidding around.

Despite imperfections, Splatoon 2 improves on the original, and is a colourful, joyous addition to the Switch.

There's a lot more in the tank with this sequel, but it really doesn't do all that much new – and that's okay. Splatoon 2 is instead a venture that perfects the formula first explored in the original Wii U title, making for an easy recommendation for newbies and seasoned squid aficionados alike on Nintendo Switch.

Given that you're greeted by the squid DJ duo Marina and Pearl each time you hope into the game -- who are instantly lovable the moment you meet them -- it's easy to see why Splatoon made such a splash on the Wii U two years ago, and how Splatoon 2 might make a kid (or a squid) out of all of us on the Switch.

Splatoon 2 comes with all of the original game's strengths and weaknesses. It remains incredibly fun and addictive to play, and newcomers especially will fall in love with it. But if you're like me, you will mourn that Splatoon 2 failed to heed its predecessor's advice to stay fresh.

What the first Splatoon did well is still built into the sequel’s barnacle-encrusted DNA, and now it’s on a system that you can stuff in your bag or play on the couch. It’s baffling that Splatoon 2’s best feature is held back by a frustrating lack of proper online support, and in many ways, it’s the same game with some new tricks. But there are still enough imaginative additions for anyone who played the first game to death, especially via its strange, captivating supporting cast. It may be much more of the same, but the same is still pretty fresh.

Back in 2015 Nintendo brought a brand new game titled Splatoon to the world. It was a weird game where you blended shooter mechanics with squid transformations to fight for territory or a key item. For how weird it was Splatoon was welcomed by Wii U owners everywhere as a unique take on the shooter genre. This was Nintendo’s interpretation of a shooter: bright and colorful but interestingly deep. Now in 2017, Nintendo brings a sequel to the Switch that attempts to gain even more mass appeal.