Splatoon 3's unique turf-inking gameplay has helped it standout against other multiplayer first-person shooters. However, while the Turf War mode is a uniquely Splatoon experience, Splatoon 3 Anarchy Battles offer more traditional FPS game modes. There are currently four different modes within the Anarchy Battle category—Splat Zones, Clam Blitz, Tower Control, and Rainmaker. Each mode functions similarly to game modes found across the FPS genre. With only four modes available, Splatoon 3 still has a whole host of untapped potential modes to draw from if more were to be added in future updates.

Since Anarchy Battles are the competitive aspect of Splatoon 3's online multiplayer, translating game modes from other FPS games has to take into account how it will affect competitive play. These modes need to be distinct from the more casual Turf War mode and focus on team coordination and precise gameplay. Taking inspiration from games like Overwatch and Valorant should help develop the competitive sense required of these game modes. Plus, offering a more robust collection of competitive modes could help Splatoon 3 stand out from its predecessors.

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Splatoon 3's Current Anarchy Battle Lineup Draws Inspiration From Genre Staples

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The four current modes in Anarchy Battle all have clear inspirations stemming from the FPS genre. Splat Zones has the most obvious, clearly drawing from the typical King of the Hill mode. In Splat Zones, the team with the most ink covering a zone maintains control in King of the Hill style. Tower Control is based on the push-type game modes found in games like Team Fortress 2 and Overwatch. Rather than pushing to control a payload, in this mode teams try to hold control of the tower as it advances to one side of the map or the other in a tug-of-war style game.

The two game modes with less obvious inspirations are Clam Blitz and Rainmaker. Clam Blitz requires players to collect clams scattered around the map and attempt to score by tossing them into their appropriate goal. This game mode is most similar to Capture the Flag but differs in that there are many "flags" and players attempt score by throwing them into a goal rather than returning them to their base. Rainmaker also functions similarly to Capture the Flag with the goal of carrying the titular Rainmaker weapon to the opponents' goal. While these modes have a more unique Splatoon twist to them, their inspirations are still present at their core.

Game Modes that Deserve the Splatoon Treatment

The White 3-Strap shoes in Splatoon 3

Of all the potential game modes that Splatoon could add to Anarchy Battles, the one most often discussed is a Battle Royale mode. With the rise of games like Fortnite and Apex Legends, it's nearly impossible to discuss FPS games without mentioning a Battle Royale mode. Prior to release, many fans speculated on whether Splatoon 3 would incorporate some version of this mode. Although it's unlikely a Splatoon 3 Battle Royale would occur on the same scale of something like Fortnite, a small scale, free-for-all game mode is definitely on the table. It would be difficult to adapt it to the competitive nature of Anarchy Battles and would likely be housed within its own mode, but a competitive Splatoon Battle Royale doesn't seem like that much of a long shot.

Another game mode that would fit perfectly into the Anarchy Battle lineup would be something akin to the plant/defuse game modes of Valorant and CS:GO. This mode could see teams attempt to plant or diffuse objectives that would cover sections of the map with ink when detonated. Teams would be required to defend objectives while avoiding being splatted and taken out of the round. While this mode tends to be more of a hardcore competitive mode, it could be adjusted to fit with the Splatoon style of gameplay. Splatoon 3 has no perma-death mode like this, so it would be interesting to see how Nintendo would handle it.

Splatoon 3 is available now for Nintendo Switch.

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