Splatoon 1 & 2 & 3

Better than I hoped! Now bed.

I think it's wonderful.

That was awesome....my kids loved it and even the wife got in on some paint rolling action!

Was pretty fun. Only 1 connection hiccup where the end of match result hung before showing the results.

I was surprised to see that I was regularly second on my team in most of the matches I was in. The final match I actually was first on my team!

...we lost, yielding over 60% of the field to the other team...

I found it surprising in hindsight that I had gone through entire matches where I not only failed to splat, but was not splattered by other players. Just dodging them and focusing on covering terrain. I don't believe it also took me until the last few matches to notice that there was a counter that went up based on my load-outs.

I do wish the tutorial allowed you to practice with the different weapon combinations, but all in all I caught on decently well throughout play. I mostly stuck with Splattershot and Splattershot Jr. I ended up turning motion control off, but the controls felt so... lacking restraint? I had to put the sensitivity to its lowest setting. Otherwise I found it difficult to aim precisely. Maybe I should give motion control more of a try with the full game but I would often forget to use the right-stick AND the motion-control together. It has me thinking of the controls for the upcoming Star Fox game. I wonder if they'll offer a traditional method for that as well?

Honestly, thus far any game with heavy right-stick functionality has not felt quite right on the WiiU. I'm wondering if there's something in the system's framework/API/what-have-you that Nintendo is lacking the Sony and Microsoft put more time/care into? After all, those are the systems that count on shooters as a big product pusher.

I forget the name of the big map with the high point and low point, but I don't think I ever figured the optimal strategy for that map out. Perhaps that's a map I'd be better suited as a sniper? Sticking to high points rather than getting stuck in kill boxes?

The main screen music is absolutely awesome, too. I am hoping for some variety in level music.

Huh, that's a lot of fun. I'll probably buy it! But I was really bad at it except the game where I used the roller.

Zoso1701 wrote:

The main screen music is absolutely awesome, too. I am hoping for some variety in level music.

I'm yet to snag a time the game is running, but my kids have been "rockin' out" to the main theme also.

I squirted out about 6 matches during this morning's test hour.

I saw numerous Japanese names in my games, I didn't have any connection or lag issues at all, and I really suck at the game. I did manage to splat some opponents on occasion, but more likely I got splatted.

I played with the right stick, opting to turn motion controls off.

I'm going to try to play a bit more this afternoon, or let my kids have more of a go.

ccesarano wrote:

Something that occurred to me, though. My niece is 10 years old (or going to be this summer), and every time I see this game I think about convincing my sister to invest in a WiiU so my niece can enjoy a bunch of these games. But then I wonder about her not-as-good-with-these-controls abilities and wonder... is she really going to be able to enjoy it? Maybe by time she can get into ranked battle, but I'm not sure she'll be having fun if it's her as a kid up against a bunch of teens and adults.

I know we joke about foul-mouthed kids all the time when it comes to CoD, but I feel like this is the first AAA shooter that's kid friendly and kid targeted, so... I dunno, I wonder if the only people playing online after a while will be teens and adults because kids got sick of having their asses handed to them.

a) There's no harm in giving a kid a game that they aren't as good at, after all, how will they get better if they don't try?
b) She (or you, as her uncle) could always try to find friends of the same age and skill level. I have 10 and 12 year old daughters, I'm sure they'd be happy to friend up and try to play together. I've been thinking about this, as I meet other parents online, whether they have similar aged kids, and getting them friended up with my kids.
c) There's single player and local 1v1 multiplayer that she could use to hone her skills

In other words, I would definitely try to convince your sister to get it!

It was fun. I don't know that I'll get it though. I put down the cash for Mario Kart 8 and Smash Brothers but I don't get much of a chance to play them.

So yeah, now that I've got a bit more time while waiting for a storm to blow out, some longer impressions:

I got to play in the first round of tests last night. I was late to start because of an event in FFXIV, so I didn't get on until ten after. I didn't have any trouble connecting and after I ran through the tutorial, I was able to get into a match immediately.

I had one disconnection during a match and one low connection error during play, but otherwise it was a smooth a problem-free experience. (I had left FFXIV up on my PS4, so I don't know how much bandwidth it was using and how that may have affected Splatoon.)

I played until the servers shut down and had a wonderful time. I used the motion controls, and they took a bit of getting used to but were smooth and accurate after a few rounds. I was consistently one of the top two players in the round, which actually surprised me, because I died pretty regularly. However, because you don't lose any points for getting killed, I didn't hesitate to fly right back into where the fighting was thickest. And let me say: being able to jump straight to a team mate is a FANTASTIC design choice. First because it means you don't spend any time running back into battle, and second because it directs you to look at the game pad often and get a good view of how the match is going. (I also didn't lose any matches, although one match was a 48.7% to 48.6% squeaker.)

I didn't end up trying all the weapon types, but I did get to where I felt like I was starting to get the hang of moving around the arenas and using my sub and super weapons. And three cheers for squid form as a way to hide. I had some really great, really tense games of cat and mouse with other players.

The matches are a good length. Three minutes is long enough to get the map covered with some back-and-forth but not so long that you're stuck with a team you don't like or just completely getting stomped.

Did anyone else try the 8-bit lobby game? It's nothing super complicated, but it was engaging enough and gave me something to do between matches. Once the match starts, it actually saves where you are so you can pick right up where you left off.

I've obviously been pretty enthusiastic about this game since they unveiled it, but in the last few months I'll admit that I've gotten skeptical. Part of that has been that I'm just not playing a lot of games that aren't FFXIV right now, but part of it had also been that Nintendo just kept showing the same stuff time after time. But consider my enthusiasm completely restored. I'm incredibly excited for this and am honestly a little disappointed I won't get to play it again until the end of the month. I gladly would have played this all night.

I also, unexpectedly, probably won't even bother with the single player campaign for awhile. I'm really eager to just jump back into some random online matches.

Also, looking around I'm seeing a lot of debate about the rollers and if they're overpowered. It may have just been the matches I was in, but the top- ranked players rarely had rollers. I didn't play with one, but the impression I got from watching them and fighting against them is that they're good for covering territory but aren't great offensive weapons. Their range is poor, and they don't seem to shoot up very well. So you cover ground better but you're pretty vulnerable. The roller players were easier to kill unless they ambushed you and ran over you.

Agree with you on the rollers...I was on a team where 3 of us had rollers but we only just managed a win because we were constantly getting killed by the other team. It's a good way to get territory and get a quick kill if you can get close enough but you need those other weapons on your side.

I hated playing with the rifle but in one match the opponent had someone on their team using one to snipe us (skipping the painting part altogether), while the rest of the team painted the ground and they destroyed us. It was an indication to me how mixing the weapons within a team and playing to those weapons strengths will really be the deciding factor in the success of the team.

Also, running out of ink when you're in areas with all mixed up ink is brutal. The way it slows you down when you pass through enemy ink is like you're trudging through mud - makes you an easy target. When the time comes for a full release I'm really gonna have to work on keeping an eye on that ink level better.

Some rendered wallpapers that look like they could easily be modified amiibo if I didn't know better.

Also, Nintendo Minute took some time with the single player.

EDIT: A follow up on the wallpapers. If you download them, they will register as encrypted files and window will prompt you to back up your "file encryption certificate and key" if you haven't already done so for things like bitlocker. This was new to me about 30 mins ago, so my knowledge is soley based on a couple quick google searches.

Holy clever boss fight, Batman!

I'm afraid to show that Nintendo Minute video to my kids. They'll be pestering me for an Inkling Beanie...

On the plus side, what they've seen so far, they are actually really excited for the two player mode.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

I'm afraid to show that Nintendo Minute video to my kids. They'll be pestering me for an Inkling Beanie...

On the plus side, what they've seen so far, they are actually really excited for the two player mode.

I can say that my two girls have been very much enjoying the 1v1 Battle Dojo mode. Story mode is fun as well.

And that they are getting comfortable with the controls to the point that they are confident enough to get into online multiplayer. Even though they don't always (rarely ever) win, they're not getting discouraged, but having fun. Isn't that awesome to hear, as a parent?

gamerparent wrote:
m0nk3yboy wrote:

I'm afraid to show that Nintendo Minute video to my kids. They'll be pestering me for an Inkling Beanie...

On the plus side, what they've seen so far, they are actually really excited for the two player mode.

I can say that my two girls have been very much enjoying the 1v1 Battle Dojo mode. Story mode is fun as well.

And that they are getting comfortable with the controls to the point that they are confident enough to get into online multiplayer. Even though they don't always (rarely ever) win, they're not getting discouraged, but having fun. Isn't that awesome to hear, as a parent?

Oh, fun! Did you get a review copy?

ClockworkHouse wrote:
gamerparent wrote:
m0nk3yboy wrote:

I'm afraid to show that Nintendo Minute video to my kids. They'll be pestering me for an Inkling Beanie...

On the plus side, what they've seen so far, they are actually really excited for the two player mode.

I can say that my two girls have been very much enjoying the 1v1 Battle Dojo mode. Story mode is fun as well.

And that they are getting comfortable with the controls to the point that they are confident enough to get into online multiplayer. Even though they don't always (rarely ever) win, they're not getting discouraged, but having fun. Isn't that awesome to hear, as a parent?

Oh, fun! Did you get a review copy?

Yes!

I look forward to your impressions when your NDA allows.

And where will we be able to view your review / impressions, gamerparent(.net)?

mrtomaytohead wrote:

And where will we be able to view your review / impressions, gamerparent(.net)?

Hey, yep, I'll be writing my review on gamerparent.net, formally. The embargo is the 27th. I'm going to do some videos before that though, so I'll keep you posted!

gamerparent wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

And where will we be able to view your review / impressions, gamerparent(.net)?

Hey, yep, I'll be writing my review on gamerparent.net, formally. The embargo is the 27th. I'm going to do some videos before that though, so I'll keep you posted!

Great! I saw "Splatoon Review" or something similar listed on your friend status just the other day. So happy for you to get that sort of recognition.

Also, very happy to have "The Magic Hour Show" back. I genuinely missed you guys!

One more stress test before launch: May 23 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. PT

That's my bday, so hopefully I can make it!

I'll try, but Saturday afternoons are usually off-limits for gaming.

Hopefully that will translate to a more time friendly opportunity in my neck of the woods. I missed all three of the party stress tests.

Looks like that'd be about 8 AM on the 24th for you.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Looks like that'd be about 8 AM on the 24th for you.

If that isn't the weekend of the School's Naturescape Busy-Bee I am SO THERE!?!? I might even let the little ones in on the splattering action (although I think they are looking forward to the outfitting of their Inklings, and the 1on1 training dojo stuff more).

garion333 wrote:

One more stress test before launch: May 23 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. PT

That's my bday, so hopefully I can make it!

Happy Birthday!

One thing I want to clear up about the main game:

I feel like there's a misconception that you can only play with randoms in online, and that playing with your friends is a feature that will be added in the first update in August. In fact, you can join people on your friends list if they are playing at the same time as you, and it will either put you into their lobby, or put you in line to wait until they're finished their match and then you join their lobby/game. This ability is there at launch.

Theoretically, if you had enough people always joining their friends, you could play a match where all 8 people are on your friends list. However, you are still randomly assigned a team.

The update in August will give you the ability to form a static team of four, and battle other such teams.

gamerparent wrote:
garion333 wrote:

One more stress test before launch: May 23 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. PT

That's my bday, so hopefully I can make it!

Happy Birthday!

One thing I want to clear up about the main game:

I feel like there's a misconception that you can only play with randoms in online, and that playing with your friends is a feature that will be added in the first update in August. In fact, you can join people on your friends list if they are playing at the same time as you, and it will either put you into their lobby, or put you in line to wait until they're finished their match and then you join their lobby/game. This ability is there at launch.

Theoretically, if you had enough people always joining their friends, you could play a match where all 8 people are on your friends list. However, you are still randomly assigned a team.

The update in August will give you the ability to form a static team of four, and battle other such teams.

In some (drunken) ways, I could actually see this aspect being even more fun!