While Splatoon 3 doesn't launch until next month, fans of Nintendo's third-person shooter franchise will get a taste of what's to come through a limited-time demo launching August 27. Unlike typical game demos that show off a few levels, Splatoon 3 is hosting the Splatfest World Premiere starring its new idol band, Deep Cut, with tutorials to get new players acquainted starting on August 25. Unlike the Squid Sisters from Splatoon or Off the Hook from Splatoon 2, Deep Cut has three members, leading to this Splatfest being a three-way battle between Rock, Paper, and Scissors.
The Splatoon 3 Direct on August 10 introduced prospective players to how the hub city of Splatsville looks while gussied up for a Splatfest, as well as the new Tricolor Turf Wars. Nintendo did not highlight the stages that will be part of this pre-launch Splatfest, but all 12 stages launching with Splatoon 3 were introduced during the Direct. Changes highlighted for Hammerhead Bridge in particular offer a lot of potential for worldbuilding across the game.
Multiplayer Stages and DLC in Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3 will be set in the Splatlands, a desolate, arid region that used to be France based on the appearance of a destroyed Eiffel Tower in early showcases. Five Splatlands stages were highlighted during the Direct: Scorch Gorge, Eeltail Alley, Mincemeat Metalworks, Undertow Spillway, and Hagglefish Market. The other seven stages are in "Greater Inkopolis," returning from older titles: Museum D'Alfonsino, Hammerhead Bridge, and Mahi-Mahi Resort from Splatoon, as well as Inkblot Art Academy, Sturgeon Shipyard, MakoMart, and Wahoo World from Splatoon 2.
Nintendo says Splatoon 3 will get content for about two years, including new weapons, stages, and catalogs with cosmetic items. Of the two post-launch multiplayer stages shown in the August 10 Direct, one is clearly Flounder Heights from Splatoon, while the other appears to be a brand-new setting just outside of a temple. Splatoon 3 will also receive major paid DLC, presumably similar to Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion, as well as more Splatfests and updates to Salmon Run.
Hammerhead Bridge Should Set the Standard
Though new maps are a major draw for sequels in any shooter franchise, Splatoon 3 promises to make returning maps just as interesting. Each new entry in this series has been set a few years after the last, largely shown off via the progression of characters like Callie and Marie - the aforementioned Squid Sisters. However, Nintendo spent extra time going over changes to the Hammerhead Bridge stage on its first return since the original Splatoon.
While the August 10 Direct talks about unique mechanics in Museum D'Alfonsino and Mahi-Mahi Resort; their rotating central platform and changing water levels, respectively; Hammerhead Bridge instead gets new lore. First and foremost, it is revealed that this bridge connects the Splatlands to Greater Inkopolis. The stage was under construction in the original Splatoon, leaving gaps and temporary fixtures like metal support platforms. This construction is complete as of Splatoon 3, so "transit to and from Greater Inkopolis is much easier."
This clever bit of worldbuilding not only explains why the last two Splatoon games were disconnected from Splatoon 3's Splatlands setting, it also offers fans the chance to revisit a potentially favorite old stage in a new context. Those who watched non-English versions of the Direct also had a better view of the destroyed NILS Statue near Hammerhead Bridge. Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion ended with a climactic battle atop the statue, which was retrofitted into a cannon by the AI Commander Tartar as a means of wiping out Inkling civilization. With so much interesting content added into this one stage, it would be a shame if Splatoon 3 didn't similarly revamp its other returning maps.
Splatoon 3 launches September 9, 2022, for Nintendo Switch. A pre-launch Splatfest will take place on August 27.