What Splatoon Raiders actually is
Right, so Splatoon Raiders isn't just another coat of ink on an old wall. It's a Switch 2 exclusive that takes the series' signature turf-war chaos and leans into a more squad-focused, raid-style structure. Think less frantic solo scramble, more coordinated mess. The community over at HotUKDeals has been giving it serious heat, 773 degrees at time of writing, and that kind of organic enthusiasm is usually worth paying attention to.
Personally, the moment that sold me on watching someone play this was a cramped indoor stage where three players tried to coordinate a flank and completely bottled it, ink everywhere, shouting at each other. Proper fun. The kind that doesn't need a script.
Who this is for (and who it isn't)
If you've got a Switch 2 and mates who are actually going to play with you, this looks like a no-brainer. The cooperative angle gives it legs that the older Splatoon titles sometimes lacked for people who found the competitive side a bit sweaty.
That said, solo players might find it less compelling. The raid structure really does seem built around communication and coordination. Playing with randoms online is... well, you know how that goes.
At around 37 quid, it's not a bargain-bin impulse buy, but it's not outrageous for a Nintendo first-party title either. No discount currently, so you're paying full new-release price. Whether that's worth it depends almost entirely on your social situation. Got a group ready to go? Spot on. Flying solo most evenings? Maybe wait for a dip.
