A Splatoon 3 Direct aired on August 10th showcasing a boatload of new information and gameplay mechanics we can expect from the game! Read on for a summary of everything we learned from the Splatoon Direct!
Date of Livestream | August 10, 2022 |
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Turf Wars return as the primary game mode where two teams of four members each will ink a stage as much as they can within three minutes. The team that covers the stage in the ink of their own color will claim the most turf and win the match.
Old ink mechanics make their return to Splatoon 3. Players will again be able to ink walls to swim on its side, ink platforms to swim around sneakily for surprise splats, and dive in the ink for a refill.
However, two new techniques have been added to the game, Squid Surge and Squid Roll.
Squid Surge is a new technique that allows players to swim up walls in a single burst. This is sure to come in handy for stages with plenty of verticality
The Squid Roll is another new technique that lets the player dive out of the ink while simultaneously shifting directions in mid-air. This is useful for quick repositioning, and has the added benefit of repelling enemy splats when timed perfectly.
Twelve Confirmed Stages | |||
---|---|---|---|
Scorch Gorge |
Eeltail Alley |
Mincemeat Metalworks |
Undertow Spillway |
Hagglefish Market |
Museum D'Alfonsino |
Hammerhead Bridge |
Mahi-Mahi Resort |
Inkblot Art Academy |
Sturgeon Shipyard |
Makomart |
Wahoo World |
A total of 12 new stages have been revealed as part of Splatoon 3's base game. There are at least 5 new stages including Scorch Gorge, Eeltail Alley, Mincemeat Metalworks, Undertow Spillway, and Hagglefish Market. 3 returning stages have also been confirmed - namely, Museum D'Alfonsino, Hamemrhead Bridge, and Mahi-Mahi Resort.
The remaining four stages were briefly highlighted but no further elaboration was given other than the names being Inkblot Art Academy, Sturgeon Shipyard, Makomart, and Wahoo World.
Each of the stages appears to have its own gimmick so mastering each of these stages is sure to be key for triumphant Turf Wars!
Splatoon 3 is going all out and looks to have its eyes set for the long game. As the first hint for their long-term goals with the game, they've promised more free stages to be added in later post-launch updates, and teased at least two of them during the Direct.
The Splatoon 3 Direct confirms that all previous basic weapons will be making their return in Splatoon 3!
Tri-Stringer (Stringer-type) |
Splatana Wiper (Splatana-type) |
Two new weapon types have also been unveiled, both of which are said to be splatland-specific weapon types! First are the bow-like Stringers and the other are the sword-like Splatanas. Both weapons seem to offer unique ways of performing long-range inking.
All New and Returning Main Weapons
New Special Weapon | Description |
---|---|
Tacticooler |
When activated, a fridge appears. Beverages will be dispensed that offer a variety of effects. Can be shared with up to four team mates. |
Wave Breaker |
When activated unleashes waves in the area that marks the opponents' location and causes damage. Avoid damage with well-timed jumps |
Reefslider |
Builds up power before charging into opponents culminating to a large explosion, inking the surrounding area. |
Tenta Missiles |
Inkjet |
Ink Storm |
Ultra Stamp |
Booyah Bomb |
All New and Returning Special Weapons
Shop Name | Shopkeeper | Specialty |
---|---|---|
Ammo Knights |
Sheldon | Purchase weapons in exchange for Sheldon Licenses earned from levelling up in battles and consistent use of weapons. |
Naut Couture |
Gnarly Eddy and Nails | Purchase Headgear such as hats, masks, and glasses. |
Man-o'-Wardrobe |
Jel La Fleur | Purchase Clothing such as tops, t-shirts, and jackets. |
Crush Station |
Mr. Coco | Purchase Shoes such as sneakers, sandals, and leather footwear. |
Hotlantis |
Harmony | A general store where you can purchase items and stickers to decorate your locker with. |
Crab-n'-Go |
Staff | A concessions stand where you can buy foods and drinks that will help you in battles. |
Several shops can offer weapons and gear to power you up for Turf Wars. At least five of them were showcased in the Splatoon 3 Direct.
Fashion and Gear are not just for show, each piece of clothing can have its own Gear Abilities. At least two Gear Abilities have been showcased in the Direct.
Gear Ability | Description |
---|---|
Run Speed Up | Increases movement speed in Inkling or Octoling form. |
Intensify Action | Improves the Squid Roll and Squid Surge moves. |
Murch can let you add an ability of your choice to certain gear in exchange for ability chunks.
Fits
Up to five sets of gear combinations can be saved to allow quick switching between outfits.
Battle Type | Game Mode | Players |
---|---|---|
Regular Battle | Turf War | Solo or With Friends |
Anarchy Battle (Series) | Varying Game Modes | Solo Only |
Anarchy Battle (Open) | Varying Game Modes | Solo or With Friends |
Private Battles | Any Mode | With Friends |
Anarchy Battle Varying Game Modes | |
---|---|
Control Splat Zones | Tower Control |
Rainmaker | Clam Blitz |
The Test Range gives players a chance to practice how to use different weapons and can also be a way to warm up before battle.
Any online friends who are also playing will appear as Ghosts in the lobby. You'll be able to jump in to their games and play alongside them.
Battle replays allow you to keep track of your match history, and rewatch recent battles. When watching battle replays, you'll be able to fast forward, skip to certain parts, swap to other players' views and even share clips online.
This section of the lobby lets players show off acquired weapons, gear, items, and stickers that they choose to display. Lockers will be visible to players you've played with recently so spice up your lockers to express your style! Items for the locker can be purchased at Hotlantis.
Splashtags are like nameplates that are displayed at the start of battles. You can select different banner designs, badges, and unqiue titles for your Splashtags.
Your character can perform different emotes after they win a battle. You can select different emotes for your character to show more of your personality.
Customization options for your characters, as well as other seasonal gear and items, can be obtained via the in-game Catalog available in Hotlantis. Free Updates, which includes new Catalogs, will be released every three months for the next two years.
Table Turf Battle is a new 1v1 in-game tabletop card game that is a spin-off of Turf War. You can play Table Turf Battle in the Table Turf Battlle Dojo in Splatsville. Every player will be gifted an in-game Starter Deck, and there are over 150 cards to collect.
Salmon Run is a returning mode in Splatoon 3 where up to four players can work together to collect Power Eggs from Salmonids advancing on them.
Slammin' Lid | Big Shot |
---|---|
There are two new Boss Salmonids in the game. Boss Salmonids are stronger enemy types that require much more effort and skill to take down, but they also give you valuable Golden Eggs, which you need to complete the job.
In addition to the new Boss Salmonids, there is also a new King Salmonid, Cohozuna. When battling a King Salmonid, the tank on players’ backs will transform into an Egg Cannon. Use it to launch Golden Eggs at the King Salmonid and deal massive damage.
Big Runs are events that are said to happen every few months. This is when Salmonids invade the cities where Inklings and Octolings live, so keep an eye out for when the event occurs.
The Direct also shines a lite on the new Story Mode of Splatoon 3 called Return of Mammalians. It is great for beginners as it allows you to get a hang of the battle mechanics and weapons while going through the story.
Play Story Mode by entering the manhole in Splatsville Square. In this mode, you play as Agent 3, the newest recuit of Squidbeak Splatoon, and do battle with the Octarian Army along with your buddy, Smallfry.
With the Mailbox, you can draw and post illustrations that will be displayed throughout the city. You can also post vertical illustrations.
In the Shoal, you can battle or team up with other players in your favorite game modes through your local area network.
Photo Mode allows you to capture seflies, which you can send to a smart device or display in your locker.
With Recon Mode, you can select your favorite stages at any time and explore around the map. This allows you to familiarize yourself with each stage before battles.
SplatNet 3 is an online service for Splatoon 3, which you can access with your smart device. With SplatNet 3, you can check your battle records, order special in-game gear that are not available in shops, or view your history in past ranks.
You can also get some free wallpapers to use with your smart device.
A new feature in SplatNet 3 is Crusty Sean’s Wandercrust Tour. Support Crusty Sean’s journey using Inked Points earned during battles.
SplatNet 3 will be available at launch via the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app, which can only be accessed with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
There is a specific spot in Splatsville where you can scan your amiibos. The spot appears as a large box made to resemble the packaging of an amiibo figure.
With Splatoon series amiibo, you can save your outfits as Freshest Fits and easily swap between them. You can also get special gear and take photos with your amiibo figure.
Octoling (Blue) | Inkling (Yellow) | Smallfry |
---|---|---|
Three new Splatoon 3 amiibo figures are releasing this holiday. However, a specific release date has not yet been announced. These figures likely have the same functions as those mentioned above.
In addition to the free updates below, large-scale paid DLC is also planned for the future. |
As previously mentioned, part of these post-game updates is a new in-game catalog available every 3 months for 2 years after launch. Around the same time as each catalog release, new weapons will also be added to the game.
Though the dates haven't been specified, Battle and League Battle are planned for future updates. X Battle is unlocked after attaining an extremely high rank in Anarchy Battle. In League Battle, players can compete every two hours in teams based on their Anarchy Battle results.
Deep Cut is a popular trio in Splatsville, consisting of Big Man, Shiver, and Frye. They are hosts of the Splatsville news program Anarchy Splatcast. They provide information on battle stages currently available, as well as other news bulletins.
The news and updates of Anarchy Splatcast can even be read on the go while exploring Splatsville and doing other activities with your Sea-Cucumber Phone.
In these online events, players pick from one of three teams based on the announced theme. The winning team is decided via battles over a set period of time.
Splatfests will consist of two halves. In the first half, the three teams will compete in 4-v-4 Turf War battles. The second half includes the new Tricolor Turf War battles, a mode where three teams fight at the same time.
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