Splatoon 3was an exciting announcement from the start because of its potential to really shake up the franchise. Some fans criticizedSplatoon 2as a fairly limited, upgraded version of the original game, butSplatoon 3has the power to try some very different things and ultimately overhaul the franchise’s presence on the Nintendo Switch. So far, Nintendo is doing well to makeSplatoon 3feel different from its predecessors. There’s lots of innovative new weapons coming to the game, and the story mode looks like it could explore the depths ofSplatoonlore like no previous entry ever has.
TheSplatoon 3story mode could leave a major mark on the franchise, as a matter of fact. Nintendo hasn’t been shy aboutadvertising theSplatoon 3campaignas the “Return of the Mammalians”. Aside from a couple of cats, there haven’t been mammals inSplatoon’s world for a very long time, so the campaign could cause a big shift in the world. What’s more, though, it could mean thatSplatoon 3will give players a new species to play as. Depending on whereSplatoon 3’s plot goes and what exactly the Mammalians are, it’s possible that Mammalians will become playable inSplatoon 3.
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Expanding Splatoon’s Character Options
As of right now, it’s unclear if the Mammalians are their own species, or if the term is simply meant to refer to Inklings, Octolings, and Octarians who take on mammal traits.Trailers forSplatoon 3have put a spotlight on a few Octarians growing fur, as well as a strange ooze that temporarily covers the player in hair when touched. It’s possible that these kinds of afflictions define Mammalians, but there could still be a new species of intelligent mammal waiting around the corner ofSplatoon 3’s story.
If that’s the case, then it wouldn’t be strange forSplatoon 3to make Mammalians playable for players who complete the game’s story mode. After all, Inklings aren’t the only playable species in the franchise. For a long time, Octolings served as enemies for the player to fight, but after theSplatoon 2Octo ExpansionDLC, many Octolings were freed from the evil DJ Octavio’s control, meaning players could finally play as Octolings if they liked.Splatoon 3will have playable Octolings by default, meaning there’s a precedent for Nintendo permanently expanding the list of playable species. With that precedent in mind, a bonus playable Mammalian species would be a logical new feature forSplatoon 3.
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Playable Mammalians also wouldn’t be surprising given Nintendo’s implied advances inSplatooncharacter creation. Eagle-eyed fans noticed thatSplatoon 3doesn’t seem to require a gender choiceout of the player’s character, and aside from that, there’s no shortage of customization options in the menu. It wouldn’t be surprising if Nintendo has even more detailed plans to improveSplatoon 3character creation that include a new playable species - namely, the campaign’s Mammalians. If players can redesign their character after they complete the campaign, or even if there’s another DLC likeOcto Expansion,then it’s definitely possible that Nintendo will add some Mammalian options.
The Splatoon Universe is Growing
Even though there’s a lot left to learn aboutSplatoon 3’s Mammalians, they’re already having a major impact on the world. Only a few years ago,Splatoonwas very focused on its cephalopod protagonists, and now Earth’s lost mammals are potentially making a return in strange new forms. FutureSplatoongames could introduce more animals, like sentient amphibians and reptiles, further diversifyingSplatoon’s universe. Introducing more species like these could alsohelpSplatoon’s character creation options growrapidly, benefitting players while making the IP’s character roster more diverse. Mammalians may be a mystery for now, but they already seem like a boon for theSplatoonworld.
Splatoon 3releases in 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
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