Digital Foundry Puts Splatoon's 60fps Promise to the Test

"From what we've seen thus far, Splatoon holds a lot of promise. We've been disappointed by the number of unfinished games reaching the market lately, so it's a pleasant surprise to find an actual work-in-progress game in such spectacular shape some way out from its eventual release. In short, it's a beautiful new game in a genre Nintendo has typically avoided, filled with plenty of new ideas."

[Source]

Looks pretty good to me. No voice chat is a bummer but I'll probably still give it a go.

The guys at GT really seemed to love it. Said it was a breath of fresh air in the online shooter genre. They also said it has a really great SP campaign with a different feel from the online, such as a good platforming element mixed in.

I don't understand. It looks like shit, so why wouldn't it be 60 FPS?

@nethernova: haters gon hate

lol! There's a white ink? There will be much splatooning.

This is going to be Nintendo's next great multiplayer property.

indeed! I'm looking forward to it. Between Kart, Smash, and Splatoon I'll have most of my online multiplayer needs met. Devil's 3rd and hopefully Star Fox multiplayer will be the icing on the cake.

60fps is great but it doesnt help a boring game tho...

@aroxx_ab: Thankfully this isn't a boring game.

this game makes me splatoon my underwear

Which would be why ps4 and xbone owners have been complaining about this gen so much

You think it'll reach Mario Kart numbers of online players?

@ianhh6: Nah. Mario Kart and Smash have the advantage of decades of fan following and cultivated fan bases. I do think Splatoon can become the next game in that tradition of Nintendo handles it right.

That's great and all, but it's not like anyone was under the impression that this was an ambitious project from a hardware stand point.

Not without 4 player local play, that's what Nintendo's legendary Mario Kart, Smash, Wii Sports, Mario Party, and (console) New Super Mario Bros franchises are all built on. I don't think a 1 on 1 local game would have the same impact.

True, I know I'd have fun playing with three more friends, more than just with one other. Thing is, this game uses the gamepad enough to actually warrant it, if I remember correctly, so couldn't that hamper local multiplayer?

No shit it runs well, the game looks like it was made by Walmart to attract kids to the gaming department... This game could've ran at the exact same presets on a god damn Wii and keep the 60fps.

@Bigboi500: I look forward to seeing the SP mode... Splatoon looks really fun. Hope it's able to build a community despite Nintendos less user friendly online features.

Ultimately it looks like a less threatening multiplayer experience and that will likely catch the attention of people who avoid the mode in the more competitive games.

@locopatho: While you are correct in that sense, it could be their first property that takes off in the online oriented age.

Still doesn't look like fun to me, but the lack of voice chat really kills it for me. Good to see that it runs great though.

I like the concept more than this gameplay but could just be this video. I dunno, seems slow and chaotic in non-controlled way (which usually isn't great). Again, could just be this particular video.

In any case, solid performance! Not that the graphics seem particular taxing for the game, but considering it's mostly a MP type of game, I think the performance > graphics choice is a good one.

So far, there are like only 2 online modes and 1 offline mode with 3-4 only different stages. Needs more content.

Visuals wise tho, no complains. Really like that artstyle.

Its the first step in a new franchise. Remember that Mario Kart and SMB also started out with 1 player or 2 players. Stuff like this will be improved upon in future games. One such improvement could be lan play for more than 2 players. But its a first step. There is no flawless new IP.

The SP mode being good is the make-it or break-it for me. The only thing concerning me for the online portion is the lack of maps. If I'm not mistaken, there will only be five or six maps on release.

@bunchanumbers: Pokemon, my friend. Pokemon was a flawless new IP.

Can't wait to get the Amibo

I cant wait for the game, looks to be fun.

Small environment, looks like shit, and only 8 people in MP?

I'd be disgusted if it wasn't 60.

Is it confirmed to only be 1v1 local? Because that doesn't make sense.

@getyeryayasout: Apparently that's on lock for this year so we should be hearing about it this E3.

I don't imagine this would be hard to accomplish with simpler character models and smaller environments.

Looking fun nonetheless. Wonder if a full online MP match will cause a Smash Bros for Wii U kind of lagfest. That's the true test.

If you get the usb ethernet accessory you'll never see lag in any Wii U games again.

That probably would fix it if the problem were on my end. Granted, I haven't played it in months so maybe things are running smoother than they have post launch. Never had issues with anything like Mario Kart 8.

I dont care about this game at all.

Always nice to have a game run at a perfect 60fps. Need to play this game!

This is a game I've never cared for the minute I saw it at E3, I don't know why, it just doesn't look fun. Looks like an online De Blob.

Looking good. I can just smell the hate in this thread. Meanwhile games like blood borne could do without all the foliage and have a frame rate that's not all over the place.

@charizard1605: First gen has its issues, notably bugs galore and psychics being IMBA.

Of course it meets its technical standard. This is Nintendo we're talking about.