preview Nintendo is trying out a new genre and the result will inevitably appeal to gamers, the Splatoon 3 DLC is brilliant!
A year and a half after its release, Splatoon 3 is finally preparing to welcome its solo DLC that has been announced for months. Titled “Tower of Order,” this mode with rogue-lite mechanics makes the experience even more immersive. I was able to preview it a week before release and was completely convinced by this refreshing offering.
We remember that around the time of Splatoon 2, Nintendo offered a single-player DLC called Octo Expansion. If this expansion took place in the form of additional levels with a narrative framework, Splatoon 3 also offers substantial additional content, but the content is different. With Tower of Order, Nintendo’s colorful shooter gets a rogue-lite mode, which is completely unprecedented for a title from the Japanese manufacturer. And the least we can say is that we find all the codes that make the genre popular, combined with the charm of Splatoon.
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An expansion to discover Splatoon in a new light
To justify this new game mode, Agent Eight, our Inkling, finds himself completely colorless in Chromapolis Square after falling asleep on the train to get there. While the place is lifeless and monochrome, we meet Pearl, the series’ iconic character, in the form of a drone who helps us climb the tower in the middle of the square. To advance in the tower we will also be accompanied by Eyte, who will give us access to the elevator as well as the color chips that will allow us to make improvements. After a first run, which corresponds to the end of the tutorial, the adventure really begins. From now on, The goal is to defeat the danger at the top of the tower that threatens the integrity of the Splatoon world.
Beyond this simple but effective justification of the action Tour of Order is an opportunity to discover the world of Splatoon in a new light. Forget the flashy and bright colors, everything here is very monochrome to emphasize the danger that this tower represents. This gives this universe a new tone and the most beautiful effect. In addition to these colors, This expansion brings with it an even more sci-fi aesthetic that’s even glitchier than the base game, with a monochrome appearance reminiscent of NieR Automata. And then we are treated to music at the intersection of many genres, an urban style specific to the series and offering new pieces that are as successful as ever. In summary, Tower of Order develops the Splatoon universe even more artistically in a very nice way.
A rogue-lite mode with an addictive gameplay loop
Much more than because of its plot, its aesthetics and its music, Tower of Order is a big addition to Splatoon 3 as it is a rogue-lite mode. By this I mean an experience in which we progress from level to level and gain upgrades, all of which we lose when we die, forcing us to start from scratch. However, before each new game, it is possible to permanently improve certain characteristics using resources gained in the previous game to facilitate future advancements. In this gameplay loop, the goal is to climb the floors, defeating the bosses you encounter along the way, until you reach the top of the tower.
With tower of order, Splatoon 3 applies the codes of rogue-lite to the letter while at the same time shining with series-specific elements. On each floor you have the choice of three rooms that offer improvements, difficulties and, above all, different structures. Defend a point, eliminate a target, move an object… the levels, enemies and objectives change every time so as not to bore the player. There are also variants with additional levels of difficulty or bonuses for additional challenge. On average, you have two to three lives to reach the top of the tower… and you can’t refuse. Some floors are really not easy, just like some bosses who urge you to be careful
No impressions
After this initial handling, there is reason to be really excited about this Tour of the Order DLC. By applying rogue-lite codes to the Splatoon universe, the experience offers a particularly addictive gameplay loop. At the end of each round, we want to restart the game immediately in order to progress further by trying out different combinations. And the best part is that the difficulty is there, making for a really enjoyable challenge. Thanks to this expansion, Splatoon 3 could well offer the most complete experience in the saga. But to be sure, you’ll have to wait for Tower of Order to release on February 22nd exclusively on Nintendo Switch.
Editorial opinion
Exciting
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