Review for Splatoon 2. Game for Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 21/07/2017
When one approaches a Nintendo title, the expectations are always very high. The big N has always proved to be an example to admire when it comes to entertaining with its titles, innovating and creating legendary brands. Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion is a DLC for one of the most recent creations of the Japanese company, that is, the series of Splatoon. If the standard game already convinced us, know that with this expansion we believe that Nintendo has fully demonstrated the potential of the brand.
The developers wanted to remedy what was the biggest shortcoming of the title, with a single player expansion that borders on excellence.
Adventure with the calamari rhythm in the heart!
Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion brings two main features into the game, the ability to use a new race, the octoling, and an additional story mode that follows the adventures of Agent 8. Our protagonist, who can be male or female according to the our choices, he will find himself in an underground station with no memory of who he is. The story is very simple, the goal is to return to the surface overcoming a series of challenges to recover the "Quattro Cosi". The atmosphere is absolutely well transmitted, thanks also to the secondary characters who will enrich the adventure thanks to their sympathy. These NPCs are very few, we are talking about 3 main characters and a couple of secondaries with reduced dialogues, but they are excellent adventure companions to which we become attached easily. The dialogues between them are totally written, and increase according to how many challenges you choose to face.
The contents, however, are not only situational dialogues and deliberately terrible jokes, but also enrich the world of Splatoon by telling various anecdotes about the war of the past and the discrimination against octoling. This leads to wanting to face as many challenges as possible to have as many dialogues as possible, although you don't really need this additional motivation to want to aim for completeness. This because, as mentioned in the introduction, Nintendo is a master of entertaining, and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion it is yet another, heavy, confirmation.
The satisfaction of completing a game
The title is structured in challenges, selectable from a grid that gradually expands. Entering a level requires a fee, but completing it will result in a hefty reward. The goal is to reach precise points on the grid to obtain the "Four So". This expansion, however, does a lot more. The challenges are extremely well thought out and fun, all without exception. Taking on a high-risk challenge is never a hassle, but on the contrary, it is a pleasure. Splatoon 2's game design reaches unexpected heights in this expansion, partially reminding us of the evolution that took place between Mario Galaxy 1 and the second chapter. One of the main problems of the campaign already present in the standard title is the difficulty which is quite low and unsatisfactory.
The Octo Expansion is the exact opposite, the new story mode is difficult, varied and extremely satisfying to complete. There is the possibility, if you get stuck in a certain level, to skip this scenario, and continue the adventure. This option is very welcome and suitable, as it can be used in case there is a challenge you do not like or in the event that you are playing the story just to unlock the octoling playable online. Despite this, as mentioned previously, we have never found ourselves hating a certain type of challenge, since Nintendo has really studied the game design in detail, in order not to create frustrating levels.
Style is not ink
Aesthetically Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion is impressive. Using the underground style in a title like Splatoon was a great idea, executed with monstrous precision. Everything is suitable for the setting and integrates perfectly, from the details of the environments, to the NPCs that are on the train to the credits. The integration of this style with the graphics of the title has been flawless and has greatly benefited the artistic side of Splatoon 2, so much so that we hope to see underground themed maps for multiplayer in the future.
One thing that we found weak in some points of the title was the soundtrack. Although in some levels, especially at the end, there are tracks that are perfect for the setting, in normal challenges the accompaniment is quite anonymous, even if absolutely never annoying. A of the two small ink blots in what is other yes a really fantastic job, beyond all initial expectations. The other flaw, on the other hand, is reflected on the entire Splatoon 2, not only on the Octo Expansion, that is, the little aesthetic customization of the character. Our octoling will have few editable features unfortunately, making its addition welcome, but improvable.
Nintendo reconfirms itself as a teacher of fun. After an already excellent base title, the developers have brought a masterful expansion. The few defects present are amply compensated by the merits of this new story mode that amuses and not only. In front of the credits of Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion you feel totally satisfied, and even a little nostalgic. This is because the journey to the surface was simple as a narrative, but extremely engaging in gameplay. The Octo Expansion represents the Nintendo style, reminding us once again that the big N is back in shape, and we all gain from that.
► Splatoon 2 is an Action-type game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 21/07/2017
