Splatoon (series)

Splatoon is a series of third person shooter video games developed by Nintendo.

Video games
In 2015, the original Splatoon was released for the Wii U. The series immediately saw success upon the launch of its initial game, selling extremely well across all regions.

In 2017, Splatoon 2 was released for the Nintendo Switch. A sequel to the first game, it introduced new weapons, modes, locations and characters to the Splatoon universe.

In 2018, Splatoon 2 received an expansion titled Octo Expansion. It added new playable characters and a new single player campaign to the game.

Splatoon 3 was revealed during the 2.17.21 Nintendo Direct. It will feature new weapons and will take place in a new location, the Splatlands. Splatoon 3 is set to release in 2022.

Other media
In 2016, a manga series was officially published in Japan. It follows Team Blue, consisting of Goggles, Specs, Bobble Hat and Headphones, as they compete against various rival teams in Turf War cups and Ranked Battles. It began to be localised in 2017 and continues to be published.

In 2017, an animated version of the manga was released on YouTube.

Plot, themes, and characters
In both and, the player is a new arrival in Inkopolis, a city inhabited mainly by squid-like creatures called Inklings, as well as other sea creatures that have adapted to live on land. Here, they compete in ink battles - a sport that involves splattering ink on the ground and at opponents to carry out various objectives - in order to earn popularity and cash which they can use to buy gear and weapons.

In the original Splatoon, the player arrives at Inkopolis Plaza, where they soon find that the Great Zapfish that powers the city has been stolen by the Octarian forces. In order to get it back, they head to Octo Valley through a manhole found in the plaza. Once there, the player meets Cap'n Cuttlefish, an elderly Inkling who is trying to track down the Great Zapfish. The player then joins forces with him, becoming Agent 3 of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, and is tasked with venturing through various locations in Octo Valley to locate and reclaim the Great Zapfish.

In Splatoon 2, the player arrives at Inkopolis Square two years after the events of the first game, where they learn that Callie from the Squid Sisters pop idol group has gone missing, along with the Great Zapfish. The player then spots Marie, Callie's cousin, stood on top of a manhole in the corner of Inkopolis Square and follows her to Octo Canyon. Here, Marie asks the player for help in her search for both the Great Zapfish and Callie. After agreeing to her request, the player then becomes Agent 4 and travels through Octo Canyon to track them down.

In the Octo Expansion, the player is an Octoling nicknamed Agent 8, who is trapped in the Deepsea Metro subway system. They soon meet up with Cap'n Cuttlefish and explore further into the subway where they find a Telephone. The Telephone tasks them with passing a series of tests in order to collect four Thangs which will allow them to leave the subway and go to the "promised land". During the tests, Agent 8 receives advice from Pearl and Marina, who help them to escape the subway.

Gameplay mechanics
Players use various weapons to spray ink to claim territory and damage opponents. Players can remain in humanoid form to attack, and switch to cephalopod form to submerge in ink. While submerged in ink the player can refill their ink tank, swim to move faster than in humanoid form, or stay still to hide from opponents.