A new gameplay trailer for Splatoon 3, which shows off new characters and gameplay mechanics, has been revealed during today’s Nintendo Direct showcase. Nintendo’s quirky third-person shooter series has players control squid-like Inklings and compete by shooting colored ink at each other. Splatoon 3 was revealed with a trailer back in February 2021, with the series’ third installment set to release in 2022.
Ever since the first installment’s release in 2015, the Splatoon series has become an important part of Nintendo’s collection of franchises. The series’ focus on competitive third-person shooter gameplay makes it stand out among Nintendo’s other titles, while its tone and art style also maintain the cartoonish and family-friendly nature that the company has become known for. Shooting colored ink also has a striking visual effect on the games’ maps, giving the series its own unique style. Nintendo even turned Splatoon 2 into a high school esport back in May 2021, demonstrating both the title’s broad appeal and competitive nature.
During today’s Nintendo Direct event, a new gameplay trailer for Splatoon 3 showed off the third installment’s gameplay innovations. Viewers are able to catch a glimpse at a number of interesting features, such as a crab-like tank and a stretchy-limbed grappler character. The trailer also reveals the Mammalians, bizarre furry creatures that factor into the game’s enigmatic story in some way and contribute to its subtitle: Return of the Mammalians. The story content revealed in the trailer was cryptic at best, but it seems to indicate an antagonistic role for these strange fluffy creatures.
Ever since the title’s reveal back in February, fans have been attempting to uncover the plot of Splatoon 3. The game’s initial reveal trailer appeared to show off a post-apocalyptic world, with the Eiffel Tower laying upside-down in a massive desert. However, Nintendo later revealed Splatoon 3 is set in a new location called Splatsville. The game is also set to explore more natural areas throughout the large Splatlands region. While the latest gameplay trailer for Splatoon 3 once again shows off Splatsville, there are also strange locations shown which appear to be vaguely post-apocalyptic. It also remains to be seen how the Mammalians will factor into the competitive shooter’s story and setting.
While the story of Splatoon 3 remains a bizarre mystery, the title’s gameplay appears to continue pushing the envelope for the series. Powerful abilities look to shake up the core shooting gameplay, and fresh new locations will make for wholly original maps for the Inklings to learn and navigate. While the role of the Mammalians is still very unclear, the strange creatures do make for a very striking inclusion in the upcoming shooter’s latest trailer.
Splatoon 3 will release in 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
