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 uniquelySplatoonexperience,Splatoon 3Anarchy 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 3still 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 ofSplatoon 3’sonline 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. Takinginspiration from games likeOverwatchandValorantshould help develop the competitive sense required of these game modes. Plus, offering a more robust collection of competitive modes could helpSplatoon 3stand out from its predecessors.
RELATED:Why Splatoon 3’s Tricolor Splatfests Are Facing A Lot Of Criticism
Splatoon 3’s Current Anarchy Battle Lineup Draws Inspiration From Genre Staples
The fourcurrent modes in Anarchy Battleall 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 likeTeam Fortress 2andOverwatch. 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 similarlyto Capture the Flag with the goal of carrying the titular Rainmaker weapon to the opponents' goal. While these modes have a more uniqueSplatoontwist to them, their inspirations are still present at their core.
Game Modes that Deserve the Splatoon Treatment
Of all the potential game modes thatSplatooncould add to Anarchy Battles, the one most often discussed is a Battle Royale mode. With the rise of games likeFortniteandApex Legends,it’s nearly impossible to discuss FPS games without mentioning a Battle Royale mode. Prior to release, many fans speculated on whetherSplatoon 3would incorporate some version of this mode. Although it’s unlikely aSplatoon 3Battle Royalewould occur on the same scale of something likeFortnite, 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 competitiveSplatoonBattle 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 ofValorantandCS: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 theSplatoonstyle of gameplay.Splatoon 3has no perma-death mode like this, so it would be interesting to see how Nintendo would handle it.
