This is a main game released on July 21, 2017, for the Nintendo Switch. It is a third-person shooter that centers around a unique premise: players control characters called Inklings who battle using colored ink. The core gameplay loop involves strategically covering the environment with your team's ink while simultaneously engaging opponents.

A defining mechanic is the ability to switch between humanoid and squid forms. In humanoid form, Inklings can fire ink from a variety of weapons. Transforming into a squid allows for rapid movement through ink of your own color, offering both tactical advantages for flanking and a way to quickly replenish ink supplies. This dual-form system creates a dynamic and fluid combat experience.

What is the core gameplay of this shooter?

The primary objective in many modes revolves around territorial control. Teams compete to cover the largest percentage of the map with their ink. This emphasis on area control, rather than solely on player elimination, distinguishes it within the shooter genre. Success requires not only accurate shooting but also efficient ink coverage and strategic movement.

What makes this game unique?

The most distinctive feature is the ink-based combat and traversal system. Players aren't just shooting at opponents; they are actively altering the game world with their ink. This creates a visually vibrant battlefield and introduces a layer of strategic depth. The ability to swim through your own ink offers a unique method of evasion, repositioning, and rapid map traversal, which is a significant departure from traditional shooter mechanics.

The game also features a variety of weapons, each with distinct firing patterns and ink capacities, encouraging players to experiment and find styles that suit them. Beyond the main multiplayer modes, there are also single-player campaigns and cooperative challenges that further explore the game's mechanics and world.

What additional content is available?

This main game includes one expansion that adds new content and features to the core experience.