You Won't Miss Turf War: Splatoon Raiders Just Made Me a Looter-Shooter Believer

July 23, 2026 - 11:25

After weeks of hands-on time with Nintendo's latest squid-based shooter, I have to admit I was wrong. I went into Splatoon Raiders expecting to miss the chaotic ink-slinging of Turf War, but the new looter-shooter formula has won me over completely. The shift away from competitive territory control to a cooperative loot grind felt like a risky move for a franchise built on messy, colorful battles. Yet somehow, Nintendo has pulled it off.

The core loop is deceptively simple. You dive into instanced missions, splat waves of salmonid-like enemies, and collect gear with randomized stats. The satisfying pop of a rare weapon dropping feels just right. The ink mechanics remain intact, but now they serve a different purpose. You use your ink to reveal hidden chests, activate environmental traps, and paint pathways for your squad. It turns every match into a puzzle of resource management rather than a race to cover the most ground.

What surprised me most is how the game respects your time. There are no tedious inventory menus or endless stat comparisons. Gear upgrades are straightforward, and the difficulty curve feels tuned for solo players and groups alike. The new raid-style bosses demand teamwork without requiring a microphone or a spreadsheet. It is pure, focused fun.

I never thought I would say this, but I do not miss Turf War at all. Splatoon Raiders has turned me into a believer.