Nintendo recently held multiple Splatoon Global Testfire events, which are basically three one-hour blocks for gamers to test out the game’s multiplayer beta. While the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, the new intellectual property still has some room for improvements. Below, you can find our top five ways to improve the multiplayer of Splatoon.
5. On-screen map
In Splatoon Global Testfire, the only way to view the map is by looking away from the television screen and at the Wii U Gamepad. Doing so kind of breaks the immersion of the game, especially when you take into account twitch-based shooting style.
Hopefully, Nintendo will provide an optional way where you can view the map on the TV screen in the final version. This will also allow gamers the ability to use the Wii U Pro Controller, which is more ergonomically friendly when it comes to shooters when compared to the bulky Wii U Gamepad.
4. Removing Stage Rotation
The Splatoon Global Testfire has two stages: Saltspray Rig and Walleye Warehouse. Although the locations look great, not much differentiate the two aside from different layouts. The final game may not be that much better as it will only launch with five stages (more will be added for free shortly afterwards, however).
More concerning is the development team’s plan to limit the choice of playable stages to just two selected levels per four hour intervals. So, if you want to play your favorite stage, you may end up waiting for hours. If the company want to multiplayer community to strive, Nintendo should remove the restricting rotations and just let gamers pick between all the stages from the start.
3. Longer Games
In the Splatoon multiplayer beta, matches only take three minutes long. This is relatively short when you take into account that you will need to spend some time covering the stage with your team’s ink. So, just when you get into a good rhythm trading blows with the other team, the match will come to a quick end.
The development team is better off extending the length of the matches to five minutes. This will allow ample time for the two teams to get familiar with each other without the battle feeling overly long.
2. Switching Weapons During the Middle of Matches
In Splatoon Global Testfire, you are stuck with the weapon set you selected before connecting to a match. This can cause an unbalanced team if you end up being stuck with a group of players that use one type of weapon (such as the Splat Roller). This issue can be resolved if Nintendo allow you to switch weapons when re-spawning back into the match. Not to mention that this will add more strategy to the matches as you can switch weapons to better fit your play style at that given time.
1. Voice Chat
Since Splatoon is a team-based game, it desperately needs voice chat functionality. The Splatoon Global Testfire comes with simple preset orders that you can send to your teammates but it is not exactly the same as being able to talk to them to set up plans before and during matches. Nintendo should allow the option to disable voice chat as well for players who don’t feel like talking with others for one reason or another.
If the company wants the community to stick around for a long time, they should give the players the opportunity to communicate with each other. With that said, Nintendo has already mentioned that they don’t have any plans to add voice chat to the final version.
Splatoon is coming out for the Wii U console at the end of this month on the 29th. If you haven’t already, you can preorder the new I.P. with this link on Amazon.