Splatoon

As one of Nintendo's first new IPs in a while, Splatoon was kind of a big deal, but as one of the only quality online multiplayer shooters on the WiiU, Splatoon was definitely a big deal. Touting a unique approach to multiplayer shooters where covering the ground in your team's color is more important than getting the most "kills," this game may not sound that appealing to the average Call of Duty addict. However, the combination of impressive controls, a unique (probably post-apocalyptic) world, and truly well-designed competitive modes makes this an absolute blast to play. Not to mention its phenomenal single-player campaign to top it all off.

Making use of the gamepad's gyro controls to facilitate keyboard-and-mouse level precision, and screen to make the necessary glances at the map a breeze, Splatoon felt like one of the most intuitively designed shooters of its era. When playing online, your goal is simple - using your ink-based-weapon loadout of choice, try to cover the majority of the arena floor in your team's color. You can transform into a squid at will, and if you do it in your same color ink, you'll be able to refill your tank, travel significantly faster, and be virtually invisible to opponents. These matches are quick, intense, and exciting, and good performance earns you experience and currency that allows you to get more and better gear. These factors encourage a "one more round" mentality to such a degree that I would often be forced to stop playing by the gamepad's drained battery, rather than my own volition.

The online mode alone honestly has enough content to be a standalone title, but Nintendo didn't stop there. Splatoon features a fantastic single-player campaign, full of platforming, combat, and awesome music. The story is fun, but a little simplistic if you are only playing the levels to beat them. However, if you put the time in to collect all of the "sunken scroll" collectibles, you'll realize there's a lot more to this world of anthropomorphic squid kids, and it's actually super cool. You'll also be rewarded with new gear and weapons in the online mode for conquering the campaign, which is a nice addition. Along the same lines, if you happened to get your hands on the Splatoon Amiibo, this game has some of the best support for the little figures that I've ever encountered. Each of the three main Amiibo unlocks remixed campaign levels, challenging you to beat familiar levels with exciting twists, like playing as a freaking Kraken, and comes with even more exclusive gear to boot! They act like paid DLC, but you can actually hold them.

From the wildly intuitive controls, addictive online matches, and satisfying upgrade system, to the engaging story, unique platforming experience, and top-notch humor, everything about Splatoon feels incredibly well-crafted. It's not often that Nintendo develops a new IP, and it's even less common for a franchise's debut game to be this fantastic. Splatoon managed to take a popular genre and flip it on its head while managing to keep it familiar at the same time, which was definitely something the WiiU needed. With lacking third-party support and an unfortunate apprehension on Nintendo's side to release new and unique titles, the system's library was suffering. Splatoon helped to fill that hole by providing a unique competitive online experience coupled with a solid solo adventure. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this was a console-pusher, but without it, I wouldn't remember the WiiU as fondly as I do.

The game is available for WiiU here (as of 3/31/21): https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/splatoon-wii-u/

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