Splatoon 1 & 2 & 3

It's really hard to tell at this point. Gamerparent might be able to say since he has the game, but I couldn't tell from either the previews or the betas if the items you'll get were more upgrades or sidegrades.

When you level up, you will get more weapon types unlocked which you can purchase, and also various hats, shirts, and shoes. The wearable gear gives you ability boosts, and each item of clothing can also be levelled up by wearing it while battling. A levelled up article of clothing will unlock a second ability boost for that item.

At the start of the game you only have one weapon type, and you have to play in order to unlock the others. So you will not start with the paint roller, for example.

They have also made the weapon/sub weapon/special weapon combination into a fixed load out. So one paint roller will have as it's sub a bomb and the special a bazooka, whilst another paint roller will come with two completely different sub and special weapons. You can't customize the load out, but you can choose from several different load outs even if the main weapon stays the same.

So there is incentive to keep levelling up, and unlocking more things. And then once you reach level 10 you unlock the Ranked Battle mode, which changes up the strategy by forcing you to control a zone.

They'll also introduce a few new modes in August, so there will be another uptick in interest around then.

I have a feeling that there will be lots of players, at least for this year, into the fall.

This has been the only game I've ever preordered. Getting a physical copy so that I can put on the shelf. I agree with the comment above that having a physical copy on a new IP just appeals to me.

As for the gameplay, I played with tilt controls. I stink at shooters typically. Never can get the right joystick control right. Motion controls negated that for the most part and I could be competitive.

m0nk3yboy wrote:
shoptroll wrote:
garion333 wrote:

I'll be positively shocked if the actual launch goes smoothly. Mp focused games always have a rough launch, it's Murphy's Law 101 for online gaming.

Smash 3DS had a rough patch for the first week or two I think right? I think I'm less concerned about a smooth launch these days. It's not like I don't have other things I can play if the matchmaking servers catch fire the first weekend.

I'm not worried either. I think I might in the minority of gamers, buying an online multiplayer title for single player and 1vs1 couch co-op.

I'm not particularly worried outside of bad word of mouth that'll keep people away. You know, since I won't be playing day 1 ... probably.

Also, day 1 of a mp game is usually just a bad day to play regardless. Even smooth launches have hiccups and I don't want to have to hammer servers for an hour to get 15 minutes worth of play. I'll be just fine waiting a day or two, etc.

My pre-load code arrived today!

ClockworkHouse wrote:

My pre-load code arrived today! :D

Any idea on the size of the install?

I'll check when I get home. I started the download remotely.

1674 MB.

If I go to Target at 8am on way to work Friday, I'll have it. But then, I'll have it. Sitting on my desk. Taunting me.

I wish I could take off work for this, as we did for Diablo3. Expecting to actually be able to play some mode of Splatoon, even!

Zoso1701 wrote:

If I go to Target at 8am on way to work Friday, I'll have it. But then, I'll have it. Sitting on my desk. Taunting me.

I wish I could take off work for this, as we did for Diablo3. Expecting to actually be able to play some mode of Splatoon, even!

Ah, you're going for the free squirt gun, I see. That's what I'll likely be doing, too.

mrtomaytohead wrote:

Ah, you're going for the free squirt gun, I see. That's what I'll likely be doing, too.

Oh this is going to be so much fun.

Zoso1701 wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

Ah, you're going for the free squirt gun, I see. That's what I'll likely be doing, too.

Oh this is going to be so much fun.

Just so long as you don't try to play splatoon with the squirt gun.

"What do you mean that wasn't a new Wii U controller!? My whole entertainment center is fried now!"

Kids and I canceled a cool dinner that the wife was looking forward to this weekend. We apparently did this so we could stick around the house and repeatedly fail to connect to the last Splatoon demo.

So the family has 2 Wii U's.. 2 kids that want to play, plus me. Should I buy 2 copies of the game, or just 1? I'm wondering how well multiplayer will go with 3 of us on 1 console, if that's even possible.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

1674 MB.

Thanks Clock

Still tossing up wether I go digital, or physical... We now get 10% off this weekend, thanks to a staff bonus deal, but I can't figure out if I am ripping myself off going digital, and using up 'spent money' and counting that as 'not real'.

I know, I know, just shut up and take my money

WizardOfWor wrote:

Kids and I canceled a cool dinner that the wife was looking forward to this weekend. We apparently did this so we could stick around the house and repeatedly fail to connect to the last Splatoon demo.

So the family has 2 Wii U's.. 2 kids that want to play, plus me. Should I buy 2 copies of the game, or just 1? I'm wondering how well multiplayer will go with 3 of us on 1 console, if that's even possible.

It's not possible to play three on one console. The most you can do locally is 1v1.

If you have two wii U and two games, two of you could play online at the same time in a Turf Battle (the mode you've seen in the Testfire) against or with each other depending on the random assignment of team.

gamerparent wrote:
WizardOfWor wrote:

Kids and I canceled a cool dinner that the wife was looking forward to this weekend. We apparently did this so we could stick around the house and repeatedly fail to connect to the last Splatoon demo.

So the family has 2 Wii U's.. 2 kids that want to play, plus me. Should I buy 2 copies of the game, or just 1? I'm wondering how well multiplayer will go with 3 of us on 1 console, if that's even possible.

It's not possible to play three on one console. The most you can do locally is 1v1.

If you have two wii U and two games, two of you could play online at the same time in a Turf Battle (the mode you've seen in the Testfire) against or with each other depending on the random assignment of team.

Thanks, that is very helpful. It sounds like we might not need any copies after considering this and reading about the local 1v1. Nintendo seems to view this as a sort of training mode for the 4:4.

WizardOfWor wrote:

Thanks, that is very helpful. It sounds like we might not need any copies after considering this and reading about the local 1v1. Nintendo seems to view this as a sort of training mode for the 4:4.

Are you opposed to the multiplayer online mode for some reason? Not trying to be antagonistic, just wondering.

You're absolutely right by the way, the 1v1 and the offline Single Player Story Mode are both excellent training modes for the 4v4. Not that they aren't fun in their own right, don't get me wrong. But at its heart, Splatoon is an online game, and Nintendo is doing everything it can to help people embrace that. Keeping matches short, eliminating voice chat, and focusing on turf rather than kills, takes away much of the potential for bad manners, and keeps the game fun even if you don't come out on the winning side.

My kids sense that as well, and they progressed through the game much as (I suspect) Nintendo wanted them to: playing some of the story mode, doing the 1v1 with me or with each other, and then venturing on to the online game once they'd gotten a handle on how to play on their own.

My twins are 9, and we were looking for something that we could play together like we do with Smash. I was thinking if they could at least play head to head on our 2 consoles, then that might work. As it stands, it'll wind up being more or less a single player game from a family perspective. With 1:1 they will just fight when one has to use the Wii U gamepad, as they both dislike it as a controller, even more so as a screen.

I'm not in much of a hurry to push them into the world of online shooting games either, as I have hated that and feel they are too young. I'm sure Nintendo will try to avoid the warts that go along with that, but time will tell.. We all watched the online videos and had something a bit different in mind, I think. perhaps we made into what we wanted, rather than what it is.

I'm actually interested in this game's online mode because I've had bad experiences with multiplayer shooters. Basically everything I hated has been addressed either at a design level or a feature level. No voice means no one shouting obscenities; they can't even type them. Random teams and short matches mean no dispiriting slogs of domination. Territory painting being the basis for victory means no obsession with kill:death ratios; you can die early and often, but if you paint your heart out your team can still win. My network ID not being displayed means no harassment outside of the game. Seamless global matchmaking means no need to server surf to find the right players and modes. You can't even spawn camp in this game because the base is protected and players can jump out of it to where other teammates are.

I'm not saying you're wrong in any way for keeping your kids away from it. I'm only adding my two cents that all the crap from online shooters getting ripped out one way or another is what's kept me so keen on this despite hating online shooters with a passion.

WizardOfWor wrote:

My twins are 9, and we were looking for something that we could play together like we do with Smash. I was thinking if they could at least play head to head on our 2 consoles, then that might work. As it stands, it'll wind up being more or less a single player game from a family perspective. With 1:1 they will just fight when one has to use the Wii U gamepad, as they both dislike it as a controller, even more so as a screen.

I'm not in much of a hurry to push them into the world of online shooting games either, as I have hated that and feel they are too young. I'm sure Nintendo will try to avoid the warts that go along with that, but time will tell.. We all watched the online videos and had something a bit different in mind, I think. perhaps we made into what we wanted, rather than what it is.

In an ideal world I think everyone would be much happier if it had 4 player local co-op! Then it could be the Goldeneye of this generation.

Speaking to the "who has to use the Gamepad" fight, we have the opposite feeling but the same problem. My kids (10 and 12) like using the Motion Control, and fight over who gets to use it. But we just take turns to make it fair.

Press embargo seems to have broken, go ahead and get your impressions and reviews from your favorite sites.

(Ars and Eurogamer skims seem to suggest that the game might be coming in a little hot with the expected complaints about map count and game mode count, but that certainly hasn't been a real issue in the past for other games)

I appreciate the comments from everyone. ClockworkHouse, those are good points, not all of which I was aware of. Hmm.. wish we could have gotten into the test.

My daughter is a good bit smaller than my son, despite being 1 minute older.. So we usually have my son use the Wii U gamepad if I'm not playing. Of course he pushes back on that just because we've used logic on the situation. Kids.. Of course it's not a huge deal with Smash b/c we have the Gamecube adapter.

As we approach the time of The Great Inkening, let all who would so desire friend each other on the WiiU. If not already, you'll see a request from a NNID of the same name as I after I review the thread.

Still torn between physical and digital. Was planning Target. Realized it's also amiibo day Friday and there will probably be a line. My wife wants to order Amazon, but I no longer trust Prime to get it here by Friday. I suppose, worst case, I can just download it after work if I end up not going digital.

Why is this decision so hard!!??

Zoso1701 wrote:

As we approach the time of The Great Inkening, let all who would so desire friend each other on the WiiU. If not already, you'll see a request from a NNID of the same name as I after I review the thread.

Still torn between physical and digital. Was planning Target. Realized it's also amiibo day Friday and there will probably be a line. My wife wants to order Amazon, but I no longer trust Prime to get it here by Friday. I suppose, worst case, I can just download it after work if I end up not going digital.

Why is this decision so hard!!??

You are over-thinking it. the Amiibo line will dissapate after the 5 Amiibo are claimed and then you can have your game in 10 minutes.

Sad thing is, if I see a 3 Amiibo set, I will not hesitate to be financially irresponsible and buy one, but the chances of that happening are about 0.001%. And evidently, it'll be 0% for some stores in Europe.

mrtomaytohead wrote:
Zoso1701 wrote:

As we approach the time of The Great Inkening, let all who would so desire friend each other on the WiiU. If not already, you'll see a request from a NNID of the same name as I after I review the thread.

Still torn between physical and digital. Was planning Target. Realized it's also amiibo day Friday and there will probably be a line. My wife wants to order Amazon, but I no longer trust Prime to get it here by Friday. I suppose, worst case, I can just download it after work if I end up not going digital.

Why is this decision so hard!!??

You are over-thinking it. the Amiibo line will dissapate after the 5 Amiibo are claimed and then you can have your game in 10 minutes.

Sad thing is, if I see a 3 Amiibo set, I will not hesitate to be financially irresponsible and buy one, but the chances of that happening are about 0.001%. And evidently, it'll be 0% for some stores in Europe. :(

I pre-ordered mine over 4 weeks ago. If mine are missing, there will be splattering, but it won't be ink...

Can two people play online at the same time on the same team?

I don't think so, Gumbie.

Gumbie wrote:

Can two people play online at the same time on the same team?

From the same console? No. You need the gamepad for online play (which is why there isn't an off-TV mode, either).

No off-TV play? *record scratch*

I guess that makes sense but oof that's going to be a conflict with Demyx and I

There have some reports of some retailers (not gamestop) breaking street dates. YMMV.

Since a Target and Best Buy are on the way to where I'm going after work, I'll be checking in at least one of them.