Splatoon 2 refines the ink-war formula with a brilliant cooperative Salmon Run mode and an ever more varied arsenal. Painting turf stays as fresh as it is ingenious, and the street style sparkles. Still snappy, even if the sequel has since surpassed it.
Your verdict
Category
Third-Person Shooter8 players7+
Co-op
Description
Half-human, half-squid creatures battle to cover the ground in their own ink. Published by Nintendo, released worldwide in 2017. Four-on-four matches, the co-op Salmon Run against Salmonids, a single-player campaign and online play for up to eight.
Splatoon 2 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
The punk-pop energy of the fictional bands, the Squid Sisters at the fore, gives the inky world its cheeky freshness. Wild riffs, vocals warped into squid-speak and nervy tempos electrify every turf skirmish. That inimitable sonic personality, both fun and rebellious, turns each match into a little gig of its own.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Painting the ground rather than racking up kills is still a wildly fresh idea, and gyro aiming delivers a precision no stick alone can match. The co-op Salmon Run holds up admirably to this day. The concept hasn't lost a shred of its bite; only the online ecosystem has shifted toward the third entry, which weighs on its present-day appeal.
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Coating the arena in ink while wiping out the opposition delivers a perfectly tuned three-minute loop. Splatoon 2 rewards every match with experience, cash, and points that open new weapons and outfits, so "one last match" quickly becomes three or four. Map rotations, the cooperative Salmon Run mode, and Splatfests keep a steady stream of novelty flowing. The progression and customization flatter the collector. A point of caution: the online competitive side can breed frustration and stretch sessions through the urge for a rematch.
Four-on-four runs on teamwork: blanketing the map in ink, locking down flanks and supporting teammates builds a heady tension, punctuated by last-second turnarounds. The rivalry stays good-natured yet gripping, laced with improvised little strategies. Designed mainly for online play, its appeal hinges on server availability; locally, you still enjoy colorful, twitchy duos that keep everyone leaning into the screen.
Is Splatoon 2 still worth playing in 2026?
Splatoon 2 keeps an undeniable freshness in its concept of inking territory, but its relevance today depends heavily on the existence of its sequel. The Salmon Run co-op mode stays excellent and the gyro controls are a delight of precision. The snag lies elsewhere: with Splatoon 3 out since, the online activity and support have naturally shifted over. For anyone who already owns the third entry, coming back here makes little sense. But solo, or to discover the formula on the cheap, it keeps an intact charm and snappy play.
