The new season of Splatoon 3 sees the reintroduction of a special weapon that was made unlawful in the game's world after being removed in the previous entry.
An ancient Special weapon seems to be making a comeback in Splatoon 3 with DLC and a new season on the horizon. The Kraken special, which was previously forbidden and eliminated from Splatoon 2, will return during the forthcoming Fresh Season. The weapon will be made available as the Kraken Royale, providing improvements to the previously forbidden powerhouse.
The Kraken made its debut in the initial Splatoon and rapidly established itself as the most powerful and damaged special weapon in Inkopolis. The direct explanation for the absent special weapons in the second game was because they were forbidden in the game's universe along with the Kraken. So, despite the currently indicated improvements to the special, the Kraken Royale is the Kraken's retaliation.
The Original Kraken's Crimes.
Next up we have the Krak-On Splat Roller, a special collab with the Krak-On brand. It comes with the Squid Beakon sub weapon to help you and your team zip to the heart of the action, as well as the Kraken Royale special to let 'em have it once you're there! pic.twitter.com/X49mE9xqkW
— Splatoon North America (@SplatoonNA) February 16, 2023
The Kraken Royale in Splatoon 3 has been reworked to address the power imbalance of the original Kraken. The player must now trigger the Kraken Royale, creating a moment of vulnerability before the invincibility state begins, allowing enemies to potentially stop the attack. Additionally, the Kraken Royale cannot splat opponents in one jump attack and requires at least two hits to eliminate them. On the other hand, the Kraken Royale now possesses a charge attack that can one-shot enemies and retains the Squid Roll and Squid Surge mobility options. These adjustments are designed to balance the gameplay and make the Kraken Royale a more enjoyable and sustainable addition to Splatoon 3's chaotic world of Splatsville.
The return of the Kraken in Splatoon 3 is not the first time this game has included a previously absent special weapon. The Killer Wail, a vast, map-long sound wave that penetrated barriers and formed a tunnel of death, entirely closing off places, was another especially potent special from the first game. In the third game, the Killer Wail evolved into the Killer Wail 5.1, using a number of miniature speakers as a lethal surround system to briefly target enemies. It's possible that some of the missing special weapons from the first and second Splatoon games will appear in Turf Wars.
New Map Reveal for Splatoon 3
With Splatoon 3's Fresh Season starting next week, Nintendo has been teasing fans with glimpses of the upcoming content. The official Twitter account for the game has just revealed a new video showcasing the Um'ami Ruins, a new map designed as a prehistoric battleground for Turf War. The map's setting features ancient temples that lend an authentic air to the environment. Based on the video, it appears that the game's developers have meticulously crafted the location to bring out its ancient atmosphere, giving players a unique and immersive experience.
You can watch the Um'ami Ruins video in the Tweet posted below.
SRL back with an "all hands" of our own—we need all SRL teams to help today! First up, exclusive video of a new stage: Um'ami Ruins. It's an ancient site with mysterious artifacts and reliefs, some retaining original colors. Could it have been a prehistoric Turf War battle site? pic.twitter.com/Z7PLTQVi3v
— Splatoon North America (@SplatoonNA) February 21, 2023
Opinions among fans are divided on Splatoon 3's latest addition, the Um'ami Ruins stage. While it's unclear how the new map will perform in actual gameplay, some players have criticized the game's maps for being too similar in design. However, it's worth noting that it's difficult to judge a map's quality without playing it first, and the Um'ami Ruins may surprise players once it's released during the upcoming Fresh Season starting on March 1st.
In addition to the new stage, Nintendo has also unveiled two new weapons: the L-3 Nozzlenose D and the Rapid Blaster Deco. Both weapons offer fresh takes on existing options, adding variety to the game's weapon selection. The new Pool feature is also set to be introduced, which allows players to join different pools of players and connect with them for battles. These updates come on top of several other features that have already been revealed, including the return of the popular Kraken special weapon from the original Splatoon game on Wii U.
The upcoming release of the Kraken Royale as a special weapon is unquestionably a positive addition to Splatoon 3. It remains to be seen whether such excitement will continue after the special enters the game.