Just like some fans have been speculating since it was first revealed, it turns out thatSplatoon 3’s upcoming Side Order DLC is a roguelite with randomised elements and permanent upgrades to work towards.
Although the roguelite genre (different from roguelikes because they offer ways for the player to permanently improve themselves between runs) has been popular for some time now,it’s really seen a boost over the past few years. It all arguably started withHades, but since then we’ve seen games likeGod of War Ragnarok,The Last of Us Part 2, andThe Division 2try their hands at the genre.
While it seems like every other studio under the sun has been taking a crack at roguelites recently, Nintendo hasn’t been gunning for it quite as much as everyone else… until now.As TheGamer found out after recently having the chance to preview it, Splatoon 3’s Side Order DLC is actually a roguelite,just like some fans speculated after the first gameplay of it was shown.
While most Splatoon 3 single-player levels are fairly linear and just have the player working through levels and completing side objectives if they feel like it, Side Order presents itself a little differently. Instead of a level-based approach, you’ll be going through towers, in an area called the Spire of Order, that have randomised layouts and objectives for you to work through, a staple of the genre.
That’s not the only thing that makes Side Order a roguelite, however, as you’ll also be working for more permanent upgrades that’ll help you make progression, like different weapons and stat upgrades. The Nintendo Direct trailer for the game showed some of this off, noting that players could upgrade their abilities as they go through the floors of the spire.
Splatoon 2’s single-player DLC, Octo Expansion was known for being surprisingly difficult, so we shouldn’t be all that surprised that Nintendo is going all out with such a purposefully challenging genre.
Although some fans might be surprised to learn that Side Order is a roguelite considering it’s not been explicitly said to be one by Nintendo up until now, some eagle-eyed fans did spot signs of it being one in the most recent trailer for the mode, including the aforementioned ability to upgrade your character, and Nintendo outright saying that it’s intended to be played over and over again.
