Splatoon 3’s Side Order DLC is a surprisingly fresh and challenging roguelike expansion that breathes new life into the core game, offering a compelling blend of strategic depth, satisfying progression, and the signature Splatoon flair fans adore. While it retains the vibrant aesthetic and fluid gameplay, Side Order distinguishes itself with a new single-player focus, pushing players to adapt and master a unique build system, a stark contrast to the competitive multiplayer a typical Splatoon player is used to. It’s a bold move, and largely, it pays off, transforming the familiar ink-slinging chaos into a thought-provoking gauntlet of tactical decisions. If you’re looking for a substantial, replayable addition to your Splatoon 3 experience that genuinely tests your skills and offers a different kind of reward, Side Order delivers.
For those deep into the world of Inkopolis and beyond, having the right gear can elevate your experience, whether you’re battling through Side Order‘s depths or competing online. Here’s a look at some top-tier products that can enhance your gaming setup and overall enjoyment:
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Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Key Features: Ergonomic design, HD rumble, amiibo functionality, long battery life up to 40 hours, precise control with gyro and accelerometer sensors.
- Average Price: $69.99
- Pros: Significantly more comfortable for extended play sessions than Joy-Cons, superior button and stick quality, enhanced precision for aiming in Splatoon 3.
- Cons: Higher price point, requires separate charging cable USB-C included.
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- Key Features: Full-size analog sticks, larger D-pad, assigned buttons, turbo functionality, designed for handheld mode only.
- Average Price: $49.99
- Pros: Transforms handheld mode into a much more comfortable experience, great for players who prefer a traditional controller feel on the go, excellent for long commutes or travel.
- Cons: No rumble, no NFC amiibo support, no wireless functionality handheld mode only, does not replace the need for a Pro Controller in docked mode.
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SanDisk 256GB MicroSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch
- Key Features: Specifically licensed for Nintendo Switch, fast read/write speeds for quick game loading, ample storage for multiple digital titles and updates.
- Average Price: $35.99
- Pros: Essential for digital game collectors, prevents storage issues with large game files and DLC like Side Order, easy to install.
- Cons: Higher capacity cards can be more expensive, less necessary if you primarily buy physical game cartridges.
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ORZLY Carry Case Compatible with Nintendo Switch
- Key Features: Hard shell protection, internal game card slots, mesh pocket for accessories, handle for portability.
- Average Price: $19.99
- Pros: Protects your Switch and games during travel, keeps everything organized, wide variety of colors and designs.
- Cons: Adds bulk to the console, some cheaper cases may offer less robust protection.
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- Key Features: Clear audio for in-game sounds and communication if using external voice chat apps, comfortable earcups, adjustable microphone.
- Average Price: Varies widely, from $30-$150+
- Pros: Enhances immersion by delivering rich audio, crucial for competitive play to hear enemy footsteps or ink movements, useful for coordinating with friends in online matches via external apps.
- Cons: Can be cumbersome, some cheaper models may have poor sound or mic quality, not directly supported for in-game voice chat on Switch without external workarounds.
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Nintendo Switch Dock Set Avira Phantom Vpn Review
- Key Features: Allows Switch to connect to a TV, includes HDMI cable and AC adapter, supports charging while docked.
- Average Price: $79.99
- Pros: Essential for playing on a big screen, convenient for quick transitions between handheld and TV mode, provides a stable charging solution.
- Cons: Expensive for what it is, not portable, only necessary if you want to play on a TV.
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KontrolFreek FPS Freek Galaxy Thumbstick Grips
- Key Features: Concave/convex design, increased height for enhanced precision and control, non-slip rubber material.
- Average Price: $17.99
- Pros: Improves aiming accuracy and comfort, especially for games requiring precise movements like Splatoon, reduces thumb fatigue during long sessions.
- Cons: Takes some getting used to, may not be preferred by all players, can sometimes loosen over time.
The Uncharted Depths: A Fresh Take on Splatoon’s Formula
Side Order doesn’t just slap a new coat of paint on existing mechanics. it fundamentally reorients the Splatoon experience. Gone are the sprawling multiplayer arenas and the turf war objective. In their place is the Spire of Order, a mysterious, procedurally generated tower that serves as your single-player crucible. This is a bold departure, leaning heavily into roguelike elements—a genre known for its high difficulty, permanent death mechanics, and replayability through randomization. For a series built on competitive team-based combat, this shift is significant, and it forces players to adapt their mindset entirely. You’re no longer just trying to ink the most ground. you’re trying to survive, adapt, and build the ultimate destructive force.
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Shifting Gears: From Turf War to Roguelike
- The core gameplay loop involves ascending floors, completing varied objectives, and powering up your character, Agent 8, with “color chips.”
- Each run starts with a basic loadout, typically a randomized palette and a default weapon like the Splattershot.
- Success hinges on strategic decision-making regarding chip selection and how you approach each floor’s challenge.
- This contrasts sharply with the established competitive multiplayer, where skill relies on map knowledge, team synergy, and consistent weapon mastery.
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The Spire of Order: A Vertical Gauntlet
- The Spire is comprised of multiple floors, each presenting a unique objective: splatting a certain number of enemies, defending a point, or navigating treacherous platforms.
- After completing a floor, you’re presented with a choice of “color chips”—enhancements that modify your weapon, movement, or special abilities.
- The randomized nature of floor layouts and chip offerings ensures that no two runs are exactly alike, promoting high replayability.
Decoding the Color Chip System: Your Path to Power
The heart of Side Order‘s progression lies in its innovative “color chip” system. These aren’t just minor buffs. they are game-changing modifiers that allow for incredibly diverse and often hilariously overpowered builds. As you ascend the Spire, you’ll accumulate chips, each with a unique effect, ranging from increased firing rate and damage to explosive ink and expanded ink tanks. The genius here is in the synergy. Combining certain chips can lead to devastating effects, turning your humble Splattershot into a rapid-fire, homing-missile launcher or your Roller into a wide-sweeping, self-healing behemoth. Brisk It Origin 940 Smart Grill Review
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Layering for Success: Building Synergistic Builds
- Color chips come in various categories: Damage, Fire Rate, Range, Mobility, Ink Tank, Special, Drone, Lucky, and Defense.
- Collecting multiple chips of the same color or category amplifies their effects, often leading to exponential power increases.
- For example, stacking Damage chips can make your weapon a one-shot machine, while a combination of Fire Rate and Ink Tank chips can create a relentless ink-spewing assault.
- The strategic element comes from balancing immediate needs with long-term build goals. Do you take a chip that helps you now, or one that’s key to your ultimate power fantasy?
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The Element of Randomness: Embracing the Unknown
- After each floor, you’re offered a choice of three chips, often with different “difficulty” modifiers attached to the floor itself.
- This randomness means you can’t always plan your build perfectly. Sometimes, you’ll be forced to pivot and adapt based on what the game offers.
- This unpredictability is a cornerstone of roguelikes, pushing players to think on their feet and make the best of suboptimal situations.
- Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with unusual chip combinations. Some of the most fun and effective builds emerge from unexpected synergies.
Mastering the Arsenal: Weapons and Palettes
Side Order doesn’t introduce a host of new weapon types, but it recontextualizes the existing Splatoon 3 arsenal within its roguelike framework. Each weapon, from the ubiquitous Splattershot to the strategic Chargers and heavy Splatlings, feels fresh when paired with the dynamic chip system. Crucially, Side Order introduces “Palettes,” which are essentially pre-defined weapon loadouts for each run, each with its own starting abilities and chip tendencies. This adds another layer of strategic choice before you even begin your ascent.
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Palette Power: Choosing Your Starting Point
- Each Palette is associated with a specific main weapon type e.g., Splattershot, Roller, Charger.
- They also come with unique starting “key chips” that give you an initial advantage or nudge your build in a certain direction.
- Unlocking new Palettes is a core part of the meta-progression, offering fresh ways to tackle the Spire.
- For instance, the Fresh Palette might start with more mobility chips, while the Heavy Palette could lean into damage and defense.
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Weapon Metamorphosis: How Chips Transform Your Playstyle Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Review
- The true magic happens as you layer color chips onto your chosen weapon. A seemingly weak weapon can become a formidable force with the right enhancements.
- Imagine a Splattershot with piercing shots that hit multiple enemies, combined with explosive ink on impact.
- Or a Roller that leaves a trail of damaging ink for longer, coupled with increased movement speed for devastating charges.
- This dynamic transformation means that even if you stick to a single weapon type across multiple runs, the experience will feel vastly different each time.
The Challenge and the Grind: Difficulty and Replayability
Roguelikes thrive on their challenge and replayability, and Side Order largely succeeds on both fronts. The initial runs can be punishing, as you learn enemy patterns, objective types, and the nuances of the chip system. However, this difficulty feels earned, pushing you to improve and strategize more effectively. What makes Side Order truly shine in the replayability department is its robust meta-progression system, which ensures that even failed runs contribute to your overall progress, making future attempts more manageable.
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Pearls of Wisdom: The Meta-Progression Loop
- Even if you fail a run, you’ll earn “Prlz” Pearls, a new currency specific to Side Order.
- These Prlz can be spent at the central hub to unlock permanent upgrades for Agent 8, such as increased starting lives, improved chip drop rates, or enhanced drone support.
- This “death is progress” mechanic is crucial for roguelikes, as it alleviates the frustration of repeated failures and keeps players invested.
- Think of it like investing in your future runs—each pearl you collect makes the next climb a little easier, but never trivial.
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Dynamic Difficulty: Scaling the Spire
- The game introduces options to increase the challenge for seasoned players.
- “Hacks” can be toggled on before a run, providing optional difficulty modifiers like reduced health or tougher enemies, in exchange for higher Prlz rewards.
- This allows players to tailor the difficulty to their skill level, ensuring the game remains engaging even after multiple clears.
- Key Data Point: Many players report needing several runs 5-10+ to successfully clear the Spire for the first time, highlighting the initial learning curve. Subsequent runs become faster as permanent upgrades accumulate.
Aesthetic and Atmosphere: A Different Shade of Inkopolis
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Monochrome to Kaleidoscope: The Visual Transformation
- The Spire itself is rendered in shades of grey, white, and black, creating a sense of isolation and mystery.
- Enemies, too, largely adhere to this palette, making their vibrant splats of ink all the more striking.
- As you gather color chips, your character, weapon, and even parts of the environment begin to “colorize,” culminating in a visually stunning, vibrant display as you reach peak power.
- This dynamic visual feedback loop reinforces the sense of progression and power fantasy.
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Aural Delights: The Sound of Solitude and Power Opswat Security Score Review
- The soundtrack for Side Order is a masterpiece, blending familiar Splatoon themes with new, more atmospheric and often melancholic compositions.
- The podcast evolves as you ascend the Spire, intensifying with boss battles and calming during moments of respite.
- Sound effects are crisp and punchy, providing satisfying feedback for every splat and special attack.
- The subtle environmental audio contributes to the isolated atmosphere of the Spire, amplifying the feeling of being alone against overwhelming odds.
The Narrative Hook: Unraveling the Mystery
Like all Splatoon campaigns, Side Order isn’t just about gameplay. it’s also about unraveling a compelling narrative. While the story is less about saving the world and more about a personal journey of discovery and reconnection, it’s still deeply engaging for fans of the lore. Agent 8’s quest to escape the monochromatic Spire of Order, aided by a mysterious companion, provides a strong emotional anchor for the challenging gameplay. It explores themes of memory, identity, and finding connection in an isolated world, providing a unique flavor to the Splatoon universe.
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A Glimpse into the Past: Lore and Characters
- The narrative slowly unfolds through brief cutscenes, dialogue with your companion, and environmental storytelling.
- It delves deeper into the background of Agent 8, previously introduced in Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion, offering a deeper connection to their journey.
- The presence of familiar faces in new, unsettling contexts adds to the narrative intrigue and rewards long-time fans.
- The story focuses on internal struggle and finding purpose within a seemingly empty world, rather than a grand, external threat.
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Symbolism in Color and Order:
- The themes of “order” and “disorder,” “color” and “monochrome” are central to the narrative.
- The sterile, ordered environment of the Spire contrasts sharply with the vibrant, chaotic world Agent 8 seeks to return to.
- The collection of color chips isn’t just about power. it’s symbolic of restoring life, memory, and individuality within a system that seeks to homogenize.
- This thematic depth elevates Side Order beyond a mere gameplay expansion.
Verdict: Is Splatoon 3 Side Order Worth It?
Absolutely. Splatoon 3: Side Order is a triumph. It’s not just a robust piece of DLC. it’s an ambitious and successful reinterpretation of the Splatoon formula, proving that the series can innovate beyond its competitive multiplayer roots. The roguelike mechanics are expertly implemented, offering a deep, challenging, and endlessly replayable single-player experience. The color chip system encourages creative build-crafting, leading to satisfying power fantasies and surprising strategic depth. Combine this with the captivating monochromatic aesthetic, a haunting yet inspiring soundtrack, and a narrative that adds meaningful lore, and you have a package that is well worth the investment for any Splatoon fan. It pushes you, forces you to adapt, and rewards your perseverance with truly exhilarating gameplay.
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Who is it for? Leica Q3 43 Review
- Splatoon 3 owners: A must-have for anyone who enjoys the base game and is looking for a substantial new challenge.
- Roguelike fans: If you enjoy titles like Hades or The Binding of Isaac and are curious to see how Splatoon’s mechanics translate, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
- Single-player enthusiasts: Provides a meaty, self-contained experience distinct from the online multiplayer.
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Who might not like it?
- Only multiplayer fans: If you exclusively play Splatoon for Turf War or Anarchy Battles and have zero interest in single-player content or roguelikes, this might not be for you.
- Those averse to challenge: The initial difficulty curve can be steep, and some runs will end in failure. Patience and a willingness to learn are required.
Overall, Side Order is more than just an add-on. it’s a significant expansion that enriches the Splatoon 3 universe. It demonstrates a willingness by Nintendo to experiment with their beloved franchises, and in this case, the experiment pays off handsomely. It’s a compelling journey into the unknown, leaving you stronger and more skilled than when you started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Splatoon 3 Side Order?
Splatoon 3 Side Order is a single-player roguelike expansion for Splatoon 3, challenging players to ascend a procedurally generated tower called the Spire of Order while collecting “color chips” to power up their abilities.
Is Splatoon 3 Side Order part of the Expansion Pass?
Yes, Splatoon 3 Side Order is the second wave of content included in the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass.
How much does Splatoon 3 Side Order cost?
Side Order is not sold separately. Urbanista Malibu Review
It is part of the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass, which typically costs around $24.99 USD and also includes Wave 1 content Inkopolis Square.
Do I need to finish Splatoon 3’s main story to play Side Order?
No, you do not need to finish the main story of Splatoon 3 to access Side Order.
It becomes available after completing the introductory tutorial segments of the base game.
Is Side Order multiplayer?
No, Side Order is exclusively a single-player experience.
It focuses on individual skill and build strategy, a stark contrast to Splatoon’s usual multiplayer focus. Tcl Qm7 Class 55 Inch Tv 55Qm751G Review
How long is Splatoon 3 Side Order?
The initial playthrough to complete Side Order can vary, but typically takes several hours and multiple runs often 5-10+ due to its roguelike nature and meta-progression.
Completing all unlockables and challenges will take significantly longer.
What are “color chips” in Side Order?
Color chips are temporary power-ups collected during a Side Order run that enhance Agent 8’s abilities, weapon attributes damage, fire rate, range, drone capabilities, and more. They reset at the end of each run.
What are “Prlz” and how do I use them?
Prlz Pearls are a currency earned from completing floors and runs in Side Order.
They are used at the hub to unlock permanent upgrades for Agent 8, such as extra lives, improved chip drop rates, and new Palettes, making future runs easier. Dell Alienware m16 R2 (2024)
Are there new weapons in Side Order?
Side Order does not introduce entirely new weapon types, but it offers new “Palettes” which are unique loadouts for existing weapons, each with specific starting chips and playstyles tailored for the roguelike mode.
What is a “Palette” in Side Order?
A Palette is a specific weapon loadout for a Side Order run, starting with a chosen main weapon and a unique set of initial “key chips” that influence your build direction.
New Palettes are unlocked through meta-progression.
Can I change my weapon mid-run in Side Order?
No, you cannot change your main weapon mid-run in Side Order.
Your chosen Palette and its associated weapon is locked in for the entirety of that run. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)
Is Side Order difficult?
Yes, Side Order can be quite challenging, especially on initial runs.
Its roguelike nature means you’ll often face tough enemies and need to adapt your strategy.
However, the meta-progression makes it more manageable over time.
What happens when I lose a run in Side Order?
When you lose a run in Side Order, you are sent back to the hub.
You lose all accumulated color chips from that run, but you retain any Prlz Pearls earned, which can then be used for permanent upgrades. Sony α6700
Does Side Order have a story?
Yes, Side Order features a unique single-player story that delves into Agent 8’s past and explores themes of memory, identity, and connection within the monochromatic Spire of Order.
What are the main objectives in Side Order?
Each floor in the Spire of Order has a specific objective, which can range from splatting a certain number of enemies, defending a point, escorting a drone, or navigating obstacle courses.
How many floors are in Side Order?
The Spire of Order consists of 30 floors, culminating in a boss battle.
Are there bosses in Side Order?
Yes, there are bosses in Side Order, including a final boss encounter that tests your accumulated power and skills.
Can I play Side Order offline?
Yes, Side Order is a single-player experience and can be played entirely offline once the DLC is downloaded. Sony ZV-1
Is Side Order replayable?
Yes, Side Order is designed for high replayability due to its roguelike elements, including procedural generation of levels, randomized color chip offerings, and a robust meta-progression system that encourages multiple runs.
What are “Hacks” in Side Order?
Hacks are optional modifiers you can activate before a run to increase the difficulty e.g., reduced health, stronger enemies in exchange for higher Prlz rewards, allowing players to customize the challenge.
Does Side Order add anything to the multiplayer modes?
No, Side Order is a completely separate single-player experience and does not add new stages, weapons, or modes to Splatoon 3’s multiplayer component.
Is Agent 8 playable in multiplayer after Side Order?
No, Agent 8 is a character specific to the Side Order story mode.
You play as your custom Inkling or Octoling in the multiplayer modes. Best Way To Use The Treadmill
Can I skip cutscenes in Side Order?
Yes, most cutscenes and dialogue sequences in Side Order can be skipped or fast-forwarded after the first viewing.
Does Side Order feature new podcast?
Yes, Side Order features a brand new soundtrack that complements its unique aesthetic and atmosphere, blending familiar Splatoon sounds with more atmospheric and often intense compositions.
Are there amiibo features in Side Order?
While amiibo can be used in the main Splatoon 3 game, they do not have specific unique functions or unlocks within the Side Order DLC itself.
How do I unlock new Palettes in Side Order?
New Palettes are unlocked by progressing through Side Order and spending Prlz Pearls at the hub’s permanent upgrade station.
What is the goal of Side Order?
The main goal of Side Order is to ascend all 30 floors of the Spire of Order, defeat the final boss, and unravel the mystery of the monochromatic world to restore color and escape. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Does Side Order have an ending?
Yes, Side Order has a conclusive ending once you complete the final boss encounter and clear the Spire of Order.
However, replayability continues with higher difficulties and unlockables.
Is Side Order part of the original Splatoon 3 cartridge?
No, Side Order is digital downloadable content DLC that must be purchased as part of the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass and downloaded separately.
Are there any secrets or hidden areas in Side Order?
Yes, like previous Splatoon single-player campaigns, Side Order has some hidden collectibles and challenges that reward exploration and mastery of its mechanics.
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