Splatoon 3: Side Order

A few fishy elements aside, Splatoon 3’s Side Order DLC is a delectable roguelite expansion with outstanding original enemies and crazy new abilities.

Splatoon 3: Side Order is an excellent addition to Splatoon 3, and helps to give it a stronger identity over its predecessors. Whilst we'd like to have seen more variety in the stages and objectives, the overwhelming number of options on your weaponry and how you upgrade them makes sure that things don't get too repetitive. We found ourselves repeatedly coming back to try just one more run which turned into five, so that should speak for itself. Splatoon fans rejoice, it's another goodie.

Splatoon 3's Side Order DLC puts players into a rogue-like single-player campaign as Agent 8, tasked with rescuing Marina and her friends from the mysterious Deca Tower. Each run through the tower offers a new set of challenges and opportunities to customize abilities and weapons, leading to multiple playthroughs and strategic planning. While some levels may prove more challenging, especially with unfamiliar weapons, Side Order offers a refreshing departure from multiplayer chaos with its replay value and different gameplay options.

The Side Order DLC adds an interesting new mode to Splatoon 3. The Tower of Order is surprisingly challenging and the gameplay is diverse with color chips to change your playstyle. However, we would have liked to see some more variation in challenges and boss fights, which makes the randomized floors feel the same a bit too quickly. For the price however, Side Order is a must-have DLC for fans of Splatoon 3.

Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass appeared to be a guaranteed victory for Nintendo, after the developers of the shooter series discovered the perfect formula for this style of content in the previous game. However, a respectable search for a new direction and format for the solo campaign culminated in a gigantic drop in the quality and quantity of content, in practically all aspects - and the inclusion of Inkopolis Plaza does little or nothing to dampen it. Still, I'd be lying if I said that playing Side Order wasn't fun; Even though the merit comes mainly from the solid base game, the novelty factor and an irresistible experimentation component help to ensure our fun in an adventure, otherwise, with extremely obvious flaws.

Side Order finally gives a concrete reason to purchase the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pack. If the first part of the DLC was limited to a nice hub, but without significant new features, this second addition brings exciting content and gameplay. In its first immersion in the roguelike genre, the title manages to establish fun gameplay, with clear risks and rewards, challenging missions and a loop that brings that "just one more round" feeling.

By offering a whole heap of challenging encounters, fun roguelite mechanics, and just another reason to jump into one of the Switch's best games, Splatoon 3: Side Order is a thrill. More boss fights would've been nice, but that doesn't take away an unshakeable desire to jump back in right now.

I'd suggest Splatoon fans play through the mode with each weapon once then bounce off. It's a great game to play while listening to a podcast or something, but the lack of variety makes the mode get repetitive by the end especially if you're trying to unlock everything. Hopefully this mode makes it into the inevitable next Splatoon with much more variety than what's currently offered here.

Splatoon 3: Side Order adds that cherry on top of an already sweet package. While I would not say that this is an essential purchase, it will do its job in satisfying those who crave a bit more from Splatoon 3. The roguelike elements of Side Order are somewhat undercooked and didn’t hold my interest as long as I would have liked. However, elements like the new boss battles, the writing, and the music made it worthwhile for at least the one playthrough. Splatoon addicts will also likely be satisfied with a mode that can be engaged with for as long as they feel like. Overall, this is a nice side dish, even if it falls short of being a great entree.

Side order is a surprising expansion pass with addictive and challenging content thanks to a complex roguelike-style system. Everything is balanced and its replayability is guaranteed, being able to spend many hours to unlock all its objects. Highly recommended.