Splatoon 3 is the Best Entry in the Series So Far

As a passionate Splatoon player and content creator since the original launched on Wii U, I‘ve splatted countless hours across all three games. So which is better – Splatoon 2 or the fresh release of Splatoon 3? After breaking down the key areas, I believe Splatoon 3 represents the pinnacle of the franchise in its current form. While Splatoon 2 remains amazing fun with plenty of added content over time, Splatoon 3 brings subtle refinements and new ideas that coalesce into the most polished and jam-packed Splatoon package yet.

Refined Gameplay – Ink Upgrades Across the Board

Splatoon lives and dies based on its signature ink-based shooting and mobility. So how does Splatoon 3 improve the already fantastic feeling core gameplay? Let‘s analyze the key changes:

• Tighter control and response – Subtle improvements make basic movement and firing feel more precise
• Better weapon balancing – Specials, kits, and damage output see tweaks for fairness
• Faster pace – Quicker respawns and Special charging support more frenetic battles
• New mobility options – Ledges, zip lines, squid rolls expand your strategic options

These may sound like minor upgrades on paper, but culminate in matches feeling tighter yet more flexible. Core mechanics retain that familiar Splatoon magic while also feeling distinctly snappier.

As a Charger main myself, I especially appreciate the weapon tuning pass. Kits have been reworked to promote diversity without any severely overpowered combinations. This contributes to each match having a unique ebb and flow as players test team compositions.

So on gameplay alone, Splatoon 3 inks out a win by iteratively improving almost all aspects of the tried-and-true formula.

Salmon Run – Anytime Insanity

Salmon Run is a beloved co-op wave survival mode that pits 2-4 players against swarms of Salmonid enemies. While super fun, previous entries controversially limited access to certain schedules. Thankfully Splatoon 3 allows dropping into Salmon Run anytime, and it‘s a game-changer.

No longer shackled by availability, Salmon Run has become a mainstay activity in my play sessions. Its hectic action serves as a refreshing change of pace from the more calculated turf wars. Frenetic fish-blasting also showcases the subtly enhanced controls and mobility.

Another upgrade comes via new randomized stage elements. Baskets hover around, towers rise from the depths, and industrial flaps shift pathways. This makes each run feel dynamic even on familiar maps by altering viable strategies, chokepoints, and egg delivery routes.

These new elements allow the design team‘s creativity to shine in fun, unpredictable ways each session. And the post-release roadmap promises even more features down the line like fresh foes, weapons, and rules as continually evolving carrots on sticks.

While already great, the unshackled access and randomization help Salmon Run ascend to an all-time series highpoint so far for me. It‘s Splatoon‘s own flavor of horde mode mayhem, now easier to enjoy anytime the urge for piscine punishment arises. Which for me and many others is often.

Single Player Story – Return of the Mammalians

The Splatoon franchise amazes me with how much care and creativity gets poured into its solo offerings being primarily a multiplayer shooter. Splatoon 3‘s full campaign maintains that tradition with wholly new areas and adversaries. So how does it stack up?

Splatsville Story

• Length: Roughly 9 hours
• Levels: 16 main story, with post-game extras
• New elements: Zip lines, moving platforms, squid roll

Without spoiling anything, the vibrant new Alterna region provides a compelling backdrop exploring the fuzzy ooze and mammal-like enemies. Environments have strong themes with enemies and challenges tailored to match. The metro city, blazing desert, and overgrown ruins are particular standouts.

Smart new mobility options help keep the platforming engaging. Squid rolls add momentum while zip lines and clingable walls open aerial pathways. These expand your playbook of approaches without complicating things.

Bosses

As with previous entries, the bosses are definite highlights. Franchise veteran Octavio returns with some fresh remixes on his notorious antics. He‘s joined by memorable new foes like the unhinged Shiver and hulking Big Man bringing unique traits and multiple phases.

Each demands learning their patterns and steadily mastering skillsets from the player. Checkpoints during longer clashes help relieve frustration, letting you jump back in without punishing restarts. This strikes an inviting balance for both veteran boss battlers and newcomers.

By the splendid final fight, the campaign capped my initial 30 hours with the game on a high note. This poignant story hands previous co-op comrades an endearing reunion while setting up future tales in this fascinating collaborative world.

I appreciate the continued passion for the solo player amidst multiplayer shooters. It demonstrates a willingness to continually worldbuild beyond being an online arena battler alone.

Multiplayer Modes – Maps and Weapons Galore

Now to the heart of Splatoon – blasting friends and rivals across neon-colored stages. How does Splatoon 3‘s core online offering stack up?

More Maps & Music

Splatoon 3 launches with 12 well-designed maps compared to 8 in Splatoon 2‘s launch state. This 25% increase means more environmental variety and tactical considerations from the jump.

Familiar locales like Undertow Spillway make welcome returns while brand new locales like Hagglefish Market explore layout concepts past entries didn’t. Almost all emphasize verticality with opportunities for surprising enemy approaches from all angles.

Having more themes represented also brings more banging musical tracks into the mix. I often pause during startup just to vibe out for a minute. Splatoon‘s avant-garde soundtracks are distinct cultural expressions themselves.

Weapons

In terms of things that go boom, Splatoon 3 debuts with over 30 wildly creative weapons spanning familiar and new designs. These give a solid spread of tactical niches to start, with the promise of regular new releases down the line via Splatfests and updates.

All weapon types see some new blood. Be it close-quarters chaos of the Stringer bow-weapon or Tacticooler support box for buffing your team, there‘s plenty of unique ink-tooling to explore. Multiple weapons also get fun secondary variants opening alternate sub abilities if your main gets picked off the wall in the current rotation.

Of course, this wealth of armaments means all the more techniques and counters to gradually learn if you wish to climb the competitive ranks.

Overall Splatoon 3‘s online multiplayer suite shines thanks to the sheer density of maps, songs, gear, and creative weaponry. This strong variety buffet with regular planned updates gives motivation to keep coming back.

Final Verdict – A must-try pinnacle of the franchise!

By this point, you‘ve probably splatted enough evidence to deduce that Splatoon 3 earns its place as the best current entry in Nintendo‘s refreshingly innovative shooter series.

Everything that makes Splatoon so special has been tangibly upgraded. The signature mobility and ink-based shooting feel their finest yet in terms of response and balanced playstyles. Fan-favorite modes like online Turf War and co-op Salmon Run double down on what makes them great while abolishing previous restrictions. And continued dedication to both single player and multiplayer content will support the game for years rather than quickly moving on to the next sequel.

Stacked up side-by-side, Splatoon 3 brings quantifiable improvements almost across the board while retaining that addictive Nintendo charm. Perhaps most importantly, it nails the intangible ‘feel‘ with even more playful chaotic energy and style than ever before. Blending this polish with hot tracks, fresh fits, and the series‘ signature creative flair makes Splatoon 3 an easy recommendation.

So if you‘ve never given the franchise a fair shake, this latest entry makes for the easiest plunge into its bright n’ topsy-turvy meta-culture stew yet. Meanwhile, series veterans can expect subtle refinements merging the best bits into an enticing whole bursting with squidtastic personality.

Overall Splatoon 3 inks out a win over previous franchise milestones while also painting a rainbow road towards exciting content updates for seasons to come. I can’t wait to continually improve across weapons and modes while watching Inkopolis’ next cultural evolution unfold. A bright future awaits. Stay fresh!