How Splatoon 3’s New Location Changes Turf War

The third installment of the Splatoon series is on its way to Nintendo Switch in 2022, and the Inklings and Octolings have big changes in store. Their favorite pastime, Turf War, is getting some changes thanks to a thriving new culture growing in the Splatoon universe. Following the Splatoon 3 reveal trailer in the recent Nintendo Direct, the Nintendo of America Twitter account posted a zoological thread outlining of the developments in squid culture since Splatoon 2.

Located far from Inkopolis, in a region known as the Splatlands, Inklings and Octolings have established a chaotic city called Splatsville. A thriving community has sprouted in Splatsville following the final Splatfest pitting Order vs. Chaos a year and a half ago. The competitive sport Turf War, which is the primary game mode in Splatoon, thrives in the wild terrain of the Splatlands with the same basic objective of covering more ground than the opposing team with ink.

Splatsville is far from Inkopolis, where Turf War became popular in Splatoon and Splatoon 2. The Inklings and Octolings of the Splatlands have developed some new techniques and weaponry to bring to the post-apocalyptic setting of Splatoon 3.

How Splatsville Has Changed Turf War in Splatoon 3

The most immediately noticeable change to Turf War in Splatoon 3 is the locations of the multiplayer maps (although rumors hint at old Splatoon stages returning as well). In the first two Splatoon games, the multiplayer maps were apparently various locations within Inkopolis and all had some degree of urban decoration. The Turf War community rising in Splatsville has taken advantage of the surrounding wilderness of the Splatlands to bring a new aesthetic to the squid kids’ favorite game.

The way players move through the map is going to change along with the game’s location. According to Nintendo, “a ‘squid roll’ allows [players] to leap and twirl out of their ink, and a ‘squid surge’ allows them to quickly swim up ink-covered walls and jump out at the top!” These are reminiscent of players’ ability to dodge roll when using the Dualies in Splatoon 2, but seem to be universal.

Another game mechanic is evolving in Splatoon 3 as well: the Super Jump. In the Splatlands, Inklings launch themselves onto the battlefield by using a flying drone when they respawn. This seems like a more streamlined version of the Super Jump, which allows players to pull up their map and launch themselves in squid form through the air to a teammate’s location.

The Inklings and Octolings residing in Splatsville have also developed a new weapon to be used in Turf War. An ink-shooting bow can be seen in the reveal trailer, and players should expect many different variations of this weapon to be in Splatoon 3, just like how every other weapon has multiple versions. Classic weapons are getting new reconfigurations for Splatoon3, as well as new designs to fit the Splatlands environment.

Splatoon 2 has sold over 10 million copies on the Switch, entering the upper echelon of Nintendo IP. Nintendo’s eagerness to announce Splatoon 3 so early and delve into its new features indicates a bright future for the squid-centric series.

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