The gear system being so grindy actually has the opposite effect for some people like me, where we instead just ignore the abilities on them and dress purely based on fashion alone. At least that's my plan until I get the set I like the most fashion-wise, only then will I actually do the grind of getting all the abilities I want on it
by playing a lot of Salmon Run, you get so many ability chunks ! Grinding your gear and having to scrub it because the abilities aren't the ones you want can be so frustrating, I suggest dirrectly adding the ability chunks you want, it saves so much time ! And if you don't really like Salmon Run, the Splat Tee from splatfests gains ability faster than normal gear, so drink a juice and put up your tee to gain those chunks to use on your fav gear later
@@cirlu_bd Oh for sure, I do a good amount of Salmon Run so I'm not wanting for ability chunks, I just always get so paranoid of thinking "oh but I may want these for even better-looking gear later" that I end up never using them lol
Yesss, this. I did that for a while and it meant when I was ready to get serious about it, I had a surplus of gear I like and the chunks to fill it out however I pleased. I now go out of my way to collect any clothing I don’t have, just in case!
Yeah a _Lot_ of this video actually kinda fell flat to me. I don't _Want_ to Grind, I don't _want_ to repeatedly get my ass kicked before I know what I'm doing, and it _SUCKS_ because good god do I wish I could enjoy Splatoon, but there's this massive learning curve in the way that I kind of just _Can't_ put in the effort to get past, plus I want to actually express myself, not just take what I'm given and go with it- It all ended up sounding like the game's too busy expressing itself to let me express myself.
I won’t lie, part of my enjoyment for splatoon is purely the fashion aspect. I love dedicating time to fixing and adjusting gear builds that all make a cool outfit that also couples with the weapon I end up playing, unless it’s a general build lol. I also can’t help but go ‘ohhh nice outfit’ when I see a player with a cool gear look I’ve gotten attached to a few outfit sets too - stuff just clicks and I’m like ‘hot damn SLAY’
@@polygawn the splatoon 1 upgraded hero armor boots and jacket + the scouter from salmon run has grown on me a lot lmao. Gotta get them Octolings’ power levels
Yeah the problem I run into is eventually a certain outfit loadout won't really work well with every weapon I like to use, but I don't want to make a generalist gear set because... I'm not sure, it just doesn't have the same appeal as gear that works well with specific weapons/play styles. I guess another problem is that when I've grown attached to the gear sets I've already made, it's a bit hard to make new ones, if only because I already have sets that look fresh and work well enough with my style of play.. let's face it, it takes a really long time to get enough chunks for 3 of a kind on one piece, even more if you're looking to change the main ability. Kinda wish there were more slots for freshest fits, or that they could be unlockable. This has been me rambling about splatoon.
This is EXACTLY how I came about my beloved OCs. Through building good gear sets--or just throwing clothes on at random--I crafted an entire cast of characters, with outfits that reflect their, well, character. It's strange, but in a bad way, that despite its minimalist approach to character creation (at least in terms of body types and faces), Splatoon is so inspirational and makes making OCs so easy. It's what I call an OC-friendly game.
Yea I heard they were planning to add moles! I really wish they did @-@. Maybe one day they’ll add something like body shapes but I think it may mess a bit around with the outfits and animations, inkling’s iconic two tentacle hair already clips into stuff al the time xd.
I’m surprised you mentioned people who wear random gear for the abilities, but not people who do the opposite. For all 3 games, I just wore what I liked until I had the chunks (or a lucky roll) to actually build the gear. Even though it negatively impacts my gameplay for a while, I’ve always chosen aesthetic over abilities at the beginning of Splatoon games. I’ve had the same outfit for 8 years, my Inkling doesn’t feel like “me” without it.
If you look at my gear with the chunks it looks so disorganized lol but it is all built with the weapon in mind, just not all the same abilities on the same piece of clothing like I see a lot of players doing
I think that the fact that gear abilities are really underpowered strongly contributes to this fact. Aside from some utility subs (cheap to attach onto any gear because they're unique) and maybe Quick Respawn or Drop Roller, you can basically use whatever you want.
One detail I thought was gonna be discussed: the ink tank is visibly bigger if your use the Splattershot Jr. in Splatoon 2, and Splatoon 3 has you discard the soda bottle tank once you get experienced in multiplayer. Got Splatoon 2 a couple days ago because I'm fed up with six months of Splatoon 3's maps. I'm excited to play Octo Expansion and unlock my (more feminine-coded bc hairstyle restrictions) Octoling character. Unlocking Splatoon 2's full set of weapons will be a new journey for me. I picked up its Tentatek, and yes, the Inkjet IS badass. It's gonna be a drag to get ability chunks, but at least Splatoon 2's Salmon Run is easier.
Theres so many moments where I wish I was my little octoling because the gear sets I grinded for him is cooler than anything I have in my wardrobe. It's a pain grinding for gear, especially when you're trying to make it look good. But my God nothing rivals the satisfaction of rolling/slotting that final ability into a jacket you'd wear in real life if you could. Looking at the gear sets I've managed to make is euphoric
Same here. Even the stuff I could buy IRL, I don't think I'm brave enough to actually wear if I did buy it. My little dude can be so much more expressive than I can clothing wise
During the turf war challenge since it was main abilities only there was a weird moment where I looked at prochara's stream and our octolings were identical, felt wrong
this video made me a bit emotional. this is why splatoon is my favourite game, the self expression, the community, the creativity. it’s beautiful, really
honestly i'd say there are 2 more factors that make your little cephalopod unique: 1. the body features of your character even if its more limited compared to other games. there are enough that it will distinguish your inkling even if you wear the same outfit as another person (eg. amiibo gear). like i consider my octoling's hair when it comes to gear i will use often so it doesn't end up looking funny. i cant simply change the hair either because i got attached to it. 2. the splashtags. it might be unnecessary for some people but i absolutely love looking at them. it shows way more personality than people might think. like someone who loves salmon run will put stuff like gold stage badges or hlm badge or an eliter main would be very excited when they roll the eliter user title from shellout. like your title is literally livestreaming teacher, fun stuff.
my name is n1smfryfan or something like that (i had to squish it so much to fit in the character limit), my banner is that cool neon sign one from the grizzco shop, my badges are all salmon run bosses, and my title is something like "enthusiastic part-timer". can you tell my favorite mode is sr
@@davebob4973 uhhhhh i watch a lot of salmon run videos. i recommend hazmy's videos especially, hes very good at the game and explaining things about it the thing thats helped me the most is making sure i warm up w/ every weapon before i start a session. i check how much damage they do, how much range they have, how much ink they consume, that kinda thing. basically i make sure i kind of sort of know what i'm doing. idk if this helps, but happy salmon running :)
Bobble hats is my brand. In fact, Splatoon made me realize that I have SOME kind of Pom Pom hat in almost every game I play. I stuck with Tenacity on the Sporty Bobble hat in Splatoon 1 even though it wasn't optimal, and in Splatoon 2, waited literal years for Swim Speed Up to become available on it. Thank goodness Splatoon 3 just lets you straight up change main abilities.
there’s nothing like the experience of finding a outfit that looks cute *and* has abilities that kinda match your playstyle. like, it is really nice to make a gay little octopus and then also match it to the way i actually play!
Is it bad if I'm more excited for the premise of your second channel than I am even about Squid School? I love the kind of analysis you do, and hope your new channel goes well. Gonna hop over to that video and subscribe now. Best of luck!
This almost felt like 2 separate video ideas with the focus on why splatoon demands so much of your time to progress and how different it is from other shooters
I think that at least for me, the inherent expressiveness and the closeness to the character's aesthetic experiences is what makes the ludonarrative integration in Splatoon work so well. Playing Splatoon, it really feels like you're playing a profeshional athlete of sorts, even if you're not a pro player of the game. And it feels more real from the connection to aesthics like the music you listen to, the fashion you wear and how you organize your locker.
Your scripts are so thought provoking, I feel inspired! The way you presented your point so you can guide us along feels great and refreshing to be honest.
the character customization is part of the reason i love Splatoon so much, i love how even with a simple and limited character creator, you can still create something unique (AND practical if you're willing to put the work in). ive grown deeply attached to my inkling, giving her a name, likes, dislikes, fashion style, and overall building her entire personality in my head. its SO fun seeing others do the same with their own inkfish :))
I’ve just been getting into watching these squid school videos recently, and might I say, they’ve been very entertaining! They definitely teach me a lot about game design and how things work and get developed, as well as just being some interesting splatoon content I can get into. I’ve been loving these videos, and I’m excited for more!
Makes me think about the times I'd get a nice surprise from S2 or S3 when I roll some abilities and I'm able to say "woah, this is pretty similar to what I'd got in Splatoon or Splatoon 2!" Sure, the chances are insane, but what's even more special is being able to reminisce on something I'd received and identify as something being present in my "identity". Wild how it can be like that.
Fun fact, I did find someone having the same clothes as I have in the plaza. Skull Bandana, Black Inky Rider and Punk Nights. Also had the pants with slits in it. I guess they also really liked the punk and gothic style like I do. It was pure coincidence, and it was pretty cool to see
my process of going through gear has been “oh that looks cool” and then spending an ungodly amount of time grinding chunks for whatever i like the look of. also i will probably be changing my gear if cooler glasses are added in the next season 😅
My process is like that, but there's a lot more praying for good sub abilities in the first place. I kinda just take my good gear and make it work with the rest of the style. Probably why I only like about 5 of the many hairstyles. I should probably grind for better gear.
I also think there’s something to be said for how unique Splatoon’s gear options are, ESPECIALLY S3. I’ve bought stuff that I think I’ll never actually use and that looks ugly imo, but then another piece of gear that I really like shows up and it just happens to perfectly match up. My favorite outfit right now is House-Tag Denim Cap, Patchwork Bomber and Hunting Boots even though I wasn’t a fan of the Cap and Boots at first, because I just adored the Bomber and wanted to find a way to make it work in an eclectic outfit. It even got me to try the shorts+leggings which I hated until then. And now I love every part of the outfit, and have plans to make it actually viable with my new Splatterscope and Tri-Stringer mains.
It's interesting that you talk about skills not transferring over, and I think you're partially right. I never got into FPS (they make me motion-sick) and as such, I'm horrible with guns in Sploon 3, but I'm great at rollers and brushes and the alternative weapons. I'm also better with Sploosh than Splash because it offers a wider angle, and I'm used to sharking up close for brushes. So I think the skills aren't 100% transferable, but it def seems to give a leg up. I'm also older than most of the Sploon crowd so it's definitely a test of my reflexes.
Don't feel bad I have spent close to 10k hours in FPS games over the years and I am a trislosher/blaster main in Splatoon cause the aiming is just so much different (no ADS, a ton of weapon bloom, no acceleration curve etc)
This sorta sums up what I dislike about Splat 3 Compared to 2 and 1 it’s obvious the devs really want you to play the game far more with the catalog system and slow drip feed of the gear (specifically older gear). However I do think the tickets system is an absolute win since of you know what you want (or are willing to spend a bit of time in the test range to figure out) you can have it basically day 1.
this EXACTLY how casuals (me) should get into gear building find the main abilities you want to use for your weapon/mode, pick the best looking combination that happens to be in your inventory, then grind those. use chunks to get specific sub slots if needed. you don't really need "good" gear until you get to the higher x ranks anyways
One time I actually stumbled on a totally unrelated player who had a plaza post. I kid you not, they looked ALMOST identical to my Octoling. They had the same hat, same shirt, same hairstyle, and similar boots. The main difference was the eye color and the skin color. That made me not like the shirt I was wearing suddenly, and I changed it out for another one. Sucks to lose that shirt, but my octo looks unique again. The ability chunk grind is gonna suuuuck, but at least I play a ton of salmon run
10:25 spawning a non cannon in-universe cool fan stories is what made me get the game in the first place. A couple of years ago, I kinda knew the game, but I didn't played it. However, I saw a lot of animations with cool stories, on which one of those had splatoon characters and I was really drawn in to splatoon because of those stories and how things worked for inklings and octolings. I got the game because the universe of splatoon and its fandom is really just that interesting. Its been one of the best purchase I have ever done :).
I think your explanation about how the investment in the gameplay creates a further investment into the "everything else" the series offers, such as creating OCs and alternate universes and junk, explains why I've stuck around with this series for so long as someone who's been playin since the Wii U days haha I could never put it into words but yeah you're absolutely correct
I’ve actually had a weird experience with gear: I had a very hard time settling on just one look, because I liked changing it up a lot and dressing my Inkling up in hundreds of different gear items. There’s just SO MUCH is I started having a hard time picking, and eventually I got much choosier about which gear I wear. Because of this, it actually influenced how I saw my inkling oc - they’re a fashionista character, trying on a bunch of different styles and brands to show off with. Now, even though I have my default gear now, I have a different outfit for each weapon I main, as an extension of both mechanics and the character I started imagining. It’s kinda cool how the gear system and customization can help kickstart imagining a character 😊
Since all I've done multiplayer wise is turf war (and I play on an infrequent basis), I just grind any clothes that I've bought and switch off of them once all of the sub slots are filled in. I did this in Splatoon 1 as well though late in the game I did find a favorite outfit that had both fashion and function (for the general case). I just haven't gotten there yet, as theres always been more clothes to grind, lol.
When I first bought Splatoon 3, I was surprisingly above the competition in terms of just researching and tactics. At that time, I was a masc Octoling that wore a flannel and (iirc) fuzzy boots. That became Neo 3 for me. From there, I developed all the other agents around players that I often say/played with. Agent 4 being based on friends who squidparty in the lobby, an Agent/Captain 3 who sits still, mute, and doesn't do much due to how much they've seen based on what I interpreted from the cutscenes. During this time, I had terrible drift, bad enough that I wasn't able to get past B+. And eventually those JoyCons even broke so they stopped responding to button inputs. I had to put the game down, but the OCs that I made, the ideas they represented, still followed me along with my friends who played while I saved up for new JoyCons. And once I had those... I started playing so much better, becoming S (working on S+ rn), and I decided to get a new look. I decided on the short Splatoon 2 feminine cut for the inkling, and proved myself worthy to myself by beating the secret kettle. And whilst using my Flingza to climb the ranks, I realized that I had a very specific fit that I wear while playing because the chunks have what I want. Wireless Glasses, Bowling Alley Shirt, and the U Jellies. This became not only an extension of me, but a New Neo 3. Neo 3.5, they're called. And the fact that there's two Neo 3s have created a plot all of their own. As an artist and a writer, the way this game works to have creators flourish absolutely fascinates. Great video, Gem, keep up the amazing work. :]
"Species, skin color, hair (style), eye color - that's pretty barebones. Between those few distinguishing characteristics, the pants you chose and the gear you unlock, suddenly that inkling is your unique fingerprint on the game of Splatoon" BRO,,, that shit made me tear up on god
splatoon is one of my favorite dress up games. i never pick it up without messing with clothes for like 10 minutes. i usually go back to the same outfit every time though
Thank you for explaining and going into depth why i felt like this game was special. You made me realize that splatoon is more than just a game when you give it this perspective and why I really loved the game when i first got into it, why i still play it and obsess over its universe, story, characters and world it has TO THIS DAY. I had always been trying to find words to explain why i love this game so much and why ive invested so much time, energy, and effort into it because it was one of the games ive felt love towards. For reference, I haven't felt this love for a game the same way since the first time I played Portal 2 and Pizza Tower. I've played through and finished hundreds of games since those and even then the Splatoon Series still comes on top. Honestly thankful you made this video because maybe then other people can see the love that you finally put into words but ive seen in this game for a long time. Thank you a lot Gem ♥
As I've not been super into splatoon lately I noticed I especially enjoyed your videos about more general/serious topics(while your splatoon content is still top notch obv). I'm super excited for the new channel and I hope you have lots of fun with it(I know I will)!
part of my goal for splatoon 3 was to make my actual common human outfit (i.e, my round glasses, a blue sweater, and loafers). and the validation of grinding to get all of it done well, my glasses from drizzle season at 5 stars, my all swim speed amiibo loafers at 5 stars, and the sudadera celeste with ninja squid at 4 stars. it's so fun and validating to perfect gear sets for their look at function. ,,,my swim speed chunks are always at like 0 though compared to stuff like bomb def. having like 400. and meanwhile in splatoon 1 I just have fake contacts, the shrimp-pink polo, and cream high-tops for function purely. it's silly how we evolve.
I love how you thought we weren’t going to make it through the whole video, this is an amazing video. You got me to look at Splatoon in a whole new way and I will absolutely be checking out your new channel
The Control part couldnt be more true. I just started Street Fighter 6 last week and i still dont know what im doing and dont feel in control at all. Splatoon is easy to understand and even if you only played it for 10 Minutes you can at least contribute.
I used to hate the matcha down jacket in Splatoon 2, but because 3 doesn't have the shirt I loved in 2 I started using it and I actually kinda love it now. Wish the color was slightly different but I've grown attached to it
yeah, players are oddly unique in this game. even when jumping titles, people can only be somewhat similar i don't even have my old splatoon 2 shirt or shoes available to me, let alone even put in the game. i also preferred the "indigo pupil + sky blue iris" over the normal "black pupil + blue iris" i used, considering i find it more appealing and fitting. (and in contrast to the first thing, i actually do have all my splatoon 3 gear in splatoon 2, but it just doesn't function the same. i do still use studio headphones in both, though) for example, try perfectly recreating a friend's character and fighting them in private battle. (weapon too!) i saved my friend's outfit and player settings to an amiibo (while having mine on another), and fought them a few times with their (then) favorite weapon. even if i still won 9/10 times, it definitely felt very off to me and i no longer felt like i was actually playing as me. (mostly because i literally wasn't)
This seems like less of a video about why my splatoon character is unique and more of a video to show my friends when they say “splatoon is just painting”
This rings pretty true for me. Back in the first game I was experimenting a lot with looks, eventually settling into the camping hat. Then comes the second game and once I formed a friend group around it, the camping hat ended up becoming a staple of my look from there on out. Admittedly it got a bit much at times, but overall I'm pretty happy with that reality. Also I may or may not have burned a lot of snails on it once it finally got added to the third game just to get it to five stars immediately. It just felt silly that it took so long to return.
I literally wear a gas mask because my character is canonically a Salmonid. Part of me, as someone who likes customizing and plays fairly infrequently does wish I could more easily mix and match bits of my outfit (My gear build isn't even done yet cause I just settled on my main this season and have been playing way less than I did last season). However because of the restriction of my gas mask, I had to get creative and make a piece of gear that would work on a large variety of weapons, that also synergizes well with my main, since it's the ONLY headwear I can ever wear if I wanna stay true to the little OC I built up in my head.
my inkling looks unique because i never play as the same character for more than 20 matches and i dont care about chunks so i just slap on whatever makes them cutest
i will say, for people who loved wii aim gyro wasnt that bad to get used to. plus i get into communities more than i play the actual games, so hearing tons of 'pro' players say to go motion controls + that wii/mario kart experience made it really easy to learn motion.
I choose my gear based on look, and then spend hours for grinding a few of the desierd chunks on them, and then spend all my hard earned chunks with spyke. 800 hours in the game, and Still I need a few hours to make a new set of gear
Gem, the gear system actually has a very negative effect on me. I find that the infinite grind-ability of gear makes me annoyed that some players will be better off just for grinding, no skill required. I feel the same with the weapons too, as I can remember really wanting to try the dapples in splat 2, and being stuck with “less fun” dualies until I grinded for levels. I agree with the uniqueness, that is a really cool aspect, but it also seems to have other negative effects on the game, especially in tournaments, as you described, as it can lead to weapon-limitations. Really exited for your other channel! You da best, Gem.
uhhhhhhh i wasnt expecting to type so much but this video made me emo so thrres a buncha rambling abt my feelings for this silly video game below god i love this video sm bcs its true!! the description of how splatoon appeals to artists and how they make their own ocs based on their player avatars is EXACTLY what i did when i first got the game! my very first splatoon oc embodies my first experience playing the game after admiring it from afar for so long due to not owning a switch until recently: just unbridled joy and having the absolute time of my life! although there are times where i get tilted with the game now (because of the knowledge ive accumulated over the course of playing it like the meta/general gamer rage), i still remember the sheer joy i felt playing my first game of turf war through that oc, that personality and backstory ive given my silly little avatar, and it makes me feel a little better after a bad game or two :] its just...i dunno!! despite having its flaws, splatoon is a game i'll always hold dear to my heart and never really get tired of in the long run because of uh...alotta things, but a HUGE reason is definitely its ability to bring people together due to the amount of self-expression in the game!!
There's a big gap between "takes 3 hours to unlock everything" and "game is impossible to fully unlock." There's a Grizzco item that takes 999 gold scales to unlock. When a task is impossible people don't try as hard. I played S1 and S2 an hour or two a day after work, this one 5-10 mins to get my catalog bonus then I'm done.
Reason my inkling looks unique: It's an octoling
On god bro
Big brain
What a weird inkling they are!
they have a funny hair style
BRO I WAS JUST ABOUT TO COMMENT THAT!XD
The gear system being so grindy actually has the opposite effect for some people like me, where we instead just ignore the abilities on them and dress purely based on fashion alone. At least that's my plan until I get the set I like the most fashion-wise, only then will I actually do the grind of getting all the abilities I want on it
by playing a lot of Salmon Run, you get so many ability chunks ! Grinding your gear and having to scrub it because the abilities aren't the ones you want can be so frustrating, I suggest dirrectly adding the ability chunks you want, it saves so much time ! And if you don't really like Salmon Run, the Splat Tee from splatfests gains ability faster than normal gear, so drink a juice and put up your tee to gain those chunks to use on your fav gear later
@@cirlu_bd Oh for sure, I do a good amount of Salmon Run so I'm not wanting for ability chunks, I just always get so paranoid of thinking "oh but I may want these for even better-looking gear later" that I end up never using them lol
Same... I always just get gear I like!
Yesss, this. I did that for a while and it meant when I was ready to get serious about it, I had a surplus of gear I like and the chunks to fill it out however I pleased. I now go out of my way to collect any clothing I don’t have, just in case!
Yeah a _Lot_ of this video actually kinda fell flat to me. I don't _Want_ to Grind, I don't _want_ to repeatedly get my ass kicked before I know what I'm doing, and it _SUCKS_ because good god do I wish I could enjoy Splatoon, but there's this massive learning curve in the way that I kind of just _Can't_ put in the effort to get past, plus I want to actually express myself, not just take what I'm given and go with it- It all ended up sounding like the game's too busy expressing itself to let me express myself.
I won’t lie, part of my enjoyment for splatoon is purely the fashion aspect. I love dedicating time to fixing and adjusting gear builds that all make a cool outfit that also couples with the weapon I end up playing, unless it’s a general build lol. I also can’t help but go ‘ohhh nice outfit’ when I see a player with a cool gear look
I’ve gotten attached to a few outfit sets too - stuff just clicks and I’m like ‘hot damn SLAY’
I'm lucky my favorite fits work with my main weapon 💀
Any favorite fits?? I’m curious!!
Yea I love mixing it up and alternating outfits. But at the same time I always have a set I return to.
@@polygawn the splatoon 1 upgraded hero armor boots and jacket + the scouter from salmon run has grown on me a lot lmao. Gotta get them Octolings’ power levels
Yeah the problem I run into is eventually a certain outfit loadout won't really work well with every weapon I like to use, but I don't want to make a generalist gear set because... I'm not sure, it just doesn't have the same appeal as gear that works well with specific weapons/play styles.
I guess another problem is that when I've grown attached to the gear sets I've already made, it's a bit hard to make new ones, if only because I already have sets that look fresh and work well enough with my style of play.. let's face it, it takes a really long time to get enough chunks for 3 of a kind on one piece, even more if you're looking to change the main ability.
Kinda wish there were more slots for freshest fits, or that they could be unlockable.
This has been me rambling about splatoon.
This is EXACTLY how I came about my beloved OCs. Through building good gear sets--or just throwing clothes on at random--I crafted an entire cast of characters, with outfits that reflect their, well, character.
It's strange, but in a bad way, that despite its minimalist approach to character creation (at least in terms of body types and faces), Splatoon is so inspirational and makes making OCs so easy.
It's what I call an OC-friendly game.
Yea I heard they were planning to add moles! I really wish they did @-@. Maybe one day they’ll add something like body shapes but I think it may mess a bit around with the outfits and animations, inkling’s iconic two tentacle hair already clips into stuff al the time xd.
speaking of friendly how can a bug spray be human friendly and bug friendly like huh?
@@elfstar7514 bug spray... isn't bug friendly. That's the point of bug spray.
@@bonkdonk297 yes but the bug spray says it's bug friendly as in it kills the bugs but it also says it's human friendly
wdym strange "in a bad way"?
I’m surprised you mentioned people who wear random gear for the abilities, but not people who do the opposite. For all 3 games, I just wore what I liked until I had the chunks (or a lucky roll) to actually build the gear. Even though it negatively impacts my gameplay for a while, I’ve always chosen aesthetic over abilities at the beginning of Splatoon games. I’ve had the same outfit for 8 years, my Inkling doesn’t feel like “me” without it.
If you look at my gear with the chunks it looks so disorganized lol but it is all built with the weapon in mind, just not all the same abilities on the same piece of clothing like I see a lot of players doing
I think that the fact that gear abilities are really underpowered strongly contributes to this fact. Aside from some utility subs (cheap to attach onto any gear because they're unique) and maybe Quick Respawn or Drop Roller, you can basically use whatever you want.
One detail I thought was gonna be discussed: the ink tank is visibly bigger if your use the Splattershot Jr. in Splatoon 2, and Splatoon 3 has you discard the soda bottle tank once you get experienced in multiplayer.
Got Splatoon 2 a couple days ago because I'm fed up with six months of Splatoon 3's maps. I'm excited to play Octo Expansion and unlock my (more feminine-coded bc hairstyle restrictions) Octoling character.
Unlocking Splatoon 2's full set of weapons will be a new journey for me. I picked up its Tentatek, and yes, the Inkjet IS badass.
It's gonna be a drag to get ability chunks, but at least Splatoon 2's Salmon Run is easier.
Super Sea Snails will also be in short and slow to get supply with there being no more Splatfests.
Theres so many moments where I wish I was my little octoling because the gear sets I grinded for him is cooler than anything I have in my wardrobe. It's a pain grinding for gear, especially when you're trying to make it look good. But my God nothing rivals the satisfaction of rolling/slotting that final ability into a jacket you'd wear in real life if you could. Looking at the gear sets I've managed to make is euphoric
Same here. Even the stuff I could buy IRL, I don't think I'm brave enough to actually wear if I did buy it. My little dude can be so much more expressive than I can clothing wise
They WILL Bring Back The Navy Eminence Jacket THEY WILL BRING BACK THE NAVY EMINENCE JACKET
During the turf war challenge since it was main abilities only there was a weird moment where I looked at prochara's stream and our octolings were identical, felt wrong
this video made me a bit emotional. this is why splatoon is my favourite game, the self expression, the community, the creativity. it’s beautiful, really
honestly i'd say there are 2 more factors that make your little cephalopod unique:
1. the body features of your character even if its more limited compared to other games. there are enough that it will distinguish your inkling even if you wear the same outfit as another person (eg. amiibo gear). like i consider my octoling's hair when it comes to gear i will use often so it doesn't end up looking funny. i cant simply change the hair either because i got attached to it.
2. the splashtags. it might be unnecessary for some people but i absolutely love looking at them. it shows way more personality than people might think. like someone who loves salmon run will put stuff like gold stage badges or hlm badge or an eliter main would be very excited when they roll the eliter user title from shellout. like your title is literally livestreaming teacher, fun stuff.
my name is n1smfryfan or something like that (i had to squish it so much to fit in the character limit), my banner is that cool neon sign one from the grizzco shop, my badges are all salmon run bosses, and my title is something like "enthusiastic part-timer". can you tell my favorite mode is sr
please......pleasei just want the splatana wiper user tag pleaseshellout machine
@@oliviatilleman8055 ive always liked salmon run but ive been super into it whats the best way to get really invested
@@davebob4973 uhhhhh i watch a lot of salmon run videos. i recommend hazmy's videos especially, hes very good at the game and explaining things about it
the thing thats helped me the most is making sure i warm up w/ every weapon before i start a session. i check how much damage they do, how much range they have, how much ink they consume, that kinda thing. basically i make sure i kind of sort of know what i'm doing. idk if this helps, but happy salmon running :)
omg hi ika its me soup
Bobble hats is my brand.
In fact, Splatoon made me realize that I have SOME kind of Pom Pom hat in almost every game I play.
I stuck with Tenacity on the Sporty Bobble hat in Splatoon 1 even though it wasn't optimal, and in Splatoon 2, waited literal years for Swim Speed Up to become available on it.
Thank goodness Splatoon 3 just lets you straight up change main abilities.
there’s nothing like the experience of finding a outfit that looks cute *and* has abilities that kinda match your playstyle. like, it is really nice to make a gay little octopus and then also match it to the way i actually play!
Is it bad if I'm more excited for the premise of your second channel than I am even about Squid School? I love the kind of analysis you do, and hope your new channel goes well. Gonna hop over to that video and subscribe now. Best of luck!
This almost felt like 2 separate video ideas with the focus on why splatoon demands so much of your time to progress and how different it is from other shooters
2:15
This video is extremely relatable
I used to eat toothpaste from the tube too when i was a kid
I can also relate. I also ate the brush though.
I think that at least for me, the inherent expressiveness and the closeness to the character's aesthetic experiences is what makes the ludonarrative integration in Splatoon work so well. Playing Splatoon, it really feels like you're playing a profeshional athlete of sorts, even if you're not a pro player of the game. And it feels more real from the connection to aesthics like the music you listen to, the fashion you wear and how you organize your locker.
Your scripts are so thought provoking, I feel inspired! The way you presented your point so you can guide us along feels great and refreshing to be honest.
the character customization is part of the reason i love Splatoon so much, i love how even with a simple and limited character creator, you can still create something unique (AND practical if you're willing to put the work in). ive grown deeply attached to my inkling, giving her a name, likes, dislikes, fashion style, and overall building her entire personality in my head. its SO fun seeing others do the same with their own inkfish :))
I’ve just been getting into watching these squid school videos recently, and might I say, they’ve been very entertaining! They definitely teach me a lot about game design and how things work and get developed, as well as just being some interesting splatoon content I can get into. I’ve been loving these videos, and I’m excited for more!
Makes me think about the times I'd get a nice surprise from S2 or S3 when I roll some abilities and I'm able to say "woah, this is pretty similar to what I'd got in Splatoon or Splatoon 2!" Sure, the chances are insane, but what's even more special is being able to reminisce on something I'd received and identify as something being present in my "identity". Wild how it can be like that.
"You can't just buy all the clothes." - Gem
I already did.
"you can't just buy all the clothes" welp, I'm sorry Gem but this statement is false, I have all the clothes 😔
I’ve used the same outfit in all Splatoon games: leather jacket, aviators, and punk boots
Fun fact, I did find someone having the same clothes as I have in the plaza. Skull Bandana, Black Inky Rider and Punk Nights. Also had the pants with slits in it. I guess they also really liked the punk and gothic style like I do. It was pure coincidence, and it was pretty cool to see
my process of going through gear has been “oh that looks cool” and then spending an ungodly amount of time grinding chunks for whatever i like the look of.
also i will probably be changing my gear if cooler glasses are added in the next season 😅
My process is like that, but there's a lot more praying for good sub abilities in the first place. I kinda just take my good gear and make it work with the rest of the style. Probably why I only like about 5 of the many hairstyles. I should probably grind for better gear.
I also think there’s something to be said for how unique Splatoon’s gear options are, ESPECIALLY S3. I’ve bought stuff that I think I’ll never actually use and that looks ugly imo, but then another piece of gear that I really like shows up and it just happens to perfectly match up.
My favorite outfit right now is House-Tag Denim Cap, Patchwork Bomber and Hunting Boots even though I wasn’t a fan of the Cap and Boots at first, because I just adored the Bomber and wanted to find a way to make it work in an eclectic outfit. It even got me to try the shorts+leggings which I hated until then. And now I love every part of the outfit, and have plans to make it actually viable with my new Splatterscope and Tri-Stringer mains.
It's interesting that you talk about skills not transferring over, and I think you're partially right. I never got into FPS (they make me motion-sick) and as such, I'm horrible with guns in Sploon 3, but I'm great at rollers and brushes and the alternative weapons. I'm also better with Sploosh than Splash because it offers a wider angle, and I'm used to sharking up close for brushes. So I think the skills aren't 100% transferable, but it def seems to give a leg up. I'm also older than most of the Sploon crowd so it's definitely a test of my reflexes.
Don't feel bad I have spent close to 10k hours in FPS games over the years and I am a trislosher/blaster main in Splatoon cause the aiming is just so much different (no ADS, a ton of weapon bloom, no acceleration curve etc)
Or the reason why I always listen/watch Gem's stuff when I'm cooking the meals at home 😂
This sorta sums up what I dislike about Splat 3
Compared to 2 and 1 it’s obvious the devs really want you to play the game far more with the catalog system and slow drip feed of the gear (specifically older gear). However I do think the tickets system is an absolute win since of you know what you want (or are willing to spend a bit of time in the test range to figure out) you can have it basically day 1.
this EXACTLY how casuals (me) should get into gear building
find the main abilities you want to use for your weapon/mode, pick the best looking combination that happens to be in your inventory, then grind those. use chunks to get specific sub slots if needed. you don't really need "good" gear until you get to the higher x ranks anyways
Good luck with the new channel~
You've got this, gem..!
I had a very similar thing started with amiibos.
Difference is that I can burn out on those easier than splatoon.
One time I actually stumbled on a totally unrelated player who had a plaza post. I kid you not, they looked ALMOST identical to my Octoling. They had the same hat, same shirt, same hairstyle, and similar boots. The main difference was the eye color and the skin color. That made me not like the shirt I was wearing suddenly, and I changed it out for another one. Sucks to lose that shirt, but my octo looks unique again. The ability chunk grind is gonna suuuuck, but at least I play a ton of salmon run
10:25 spawning a non cannon in-universe cool fan stories is what made me get the game in the first place. A couple of years ago, I kinda knew the game, but I didn't played it. However, I saw a lot of animations with cool stories, on which one of those had splatoon characters and I was really drawn in to splatoon because of those stories and how things worked for inklings and octolings. I got the game because the universe of splatoon and its fandom is really just that interesting. Its been one of the best purchase I have ever done :).
I think your explanation about how the investment in the gameplay creates a further investment into the "everything else" the series offers, such as creating OCs and alternate universes and junk, explains why I've stuck around with this series for so long as someone who's been playin since the Wii U days haha
I could never put it into words but yeah you're absolutely correct
I’ve actually had a weird experience with gear: I had a very hard time settling on just one look, because I liked changing it up a lot and dressing my Inkling up in hundreds of different gear items. There’s just SO MUCH is I started having a hard time picking, and eventually I got much choosier about which gear I wear. Because of this, it actually influenced how I saw my inkling oc - they’re a fashionista character, trying on a bunch of different styles and brands to show off with. Now, even though I have my default gear now, I have a different outfit for each weapon I main, as an extension of both mechanics and the character I started imagining.
It’s kinda cool how the gear system and customization can help kickstart imagining a character 😊
Since all I've done multiplayer wise is turf war (and I play on an infrequent basis), I just grind any clothes that I've bought and switch off of them once all of the sub slots are filled in.
I did this in Splatoon 1 as well though late in the game I did find a favorite outfit that had both fashion and function (for the general case). I just haven't gotten there yet, as theres always been more clothes to grind, lol.
When I first bought Splatoon 3, I was surprisingly above the competition in terms of just researching and tactics. At that time, I was a masc Octoling that wore a flannel and (iirc) fuzzy boots. That became Neo 3 for me. From there, I developed all the other agents around players that I often say/played with. Agent 4 being based on friends who squidparty in the lobby, an Agent/Captain 3 who sits still, mute, and doesn't do much due to how much they've seen based on what I interpreted from the cutscenes. During this time, I had terrible drift, bad enough that I wasn't able to get past B+. And eventually those JoyCons even broke so they stopped responding to button inputs.
I had to put the game down, but the OCs that I made, the ideas they represented, still followed me along with my friends who played while I saved up for new JoyCons. And once I had those... I started playing so much better, becoming S (working on S+ rn), and I decided to get a new look. I decided on the short Splatoon 2 feminine cut for the inkling, and proved myself worthy to myself by beating the secret kettle. And whilst using my Flingza to climb the ranks, I realized that I had a very specific fit that I wear while playing because the chunks have what I want. Wireless Glasses, Bowling Alley Shirt, and the U Jellies. This became not only an extension of me, but a New Neo 3. Neo 3.5, they're called. And the fact that there's two Neo 3s have created a plot all of their own.
As an artist and a writer, the way this game works to have creators flourish absolutely fascinates. Great video, Gem, keep up the amazing work. :]
This made me realize during all the 8 years playing the series, I have purposely hunted for my outfit I used in first game in the other two games
The streamer from 8:25 is Lovelyyeon!
I appreciate the shoutouts to Red Steel and The Conduit. I played a lot of the Conduit II online when it was new.
Reason my Inkling looks unique:
I’m an Octoling and I have fashion sense.
nothing makes me wanna play splatoon than seeing my customized character in the win screen
The triple decker glasses are my signature gear piece, it has become my favorite gear
"Species, skin color, hair (style), eye color - that's pretty barebones. Between those few distinguishing characteristics, the pants you chose and the gear you unlock, suddenly that inkling is your unique fingerprint on the game of Splatoon" BRO,,, that shit made me tear up on god
splatoon is one of my favorite dress up games. i never pick it up without messing with clothes for like 10 minutes. i usually go back to the same outfit every time though
4:16 "AcTuAllY THe dLC GiVEs yOU FREe GeaR FOr beATiNg iT sO iT DoEs ChAngE mUltiPlAYer FoR SoME PEopLE"
I'm so excited about the new channel haha, that sounds really really interesting to me!
4:02 great quad kill, Gem!
I hadn't thought about how much I love splatoon in a while. This video was a good reminder. ❤
Thank you for explaining and going into depth why i felt like this game was special. You made me realize that splatoon is more than just a game when you give it this perspective and why I really loved the game when i first got into it, why i still play it and obsess over its universe, story, characters and world it has TO THIS DAY. I had always been trying to find words to explain why i love this game so much and why ive invested so much time, energy, and effort into it because it was one of the games ive felt love towards. For reference, I haven't felt this love for a game the same way since the first time I played Portal 2 and Pizza Tower. I've played through and finished hundreds of games since those and even then the Splatoon Series still comes on top. Honestly thankful you made this video because maybe then other people can see the love that you finally put into words but ive seen in this game for a long time. Thank you a lot Gem ♥
As I've not been super into splatoon lately I noticed I especially enjoyed your videos about more general/serious topics(while your splatoon content is still top notch obv). I'm super excited for the new channel and I hope you have lots of fun with it(I know I will)!
AA yes I’m so excited to get some genuine thought projects from gems new channel
part of my goal for splatoon 3 was to make my actual common human outfit (i.e, my round glasses, a blue sweater, and loafers). and the validation of grinding to get all of it done well, my glasses from drizzle season at 5 stars, my all swim speed amiibo loafers at 5 stars, and the sudadera celeste with ninja squid at 4 stars. it's so fun and validating to perfect gear sets for their look at function.
,,,my swim speed chunks are always at like 0 though compared to stuff like bomb def. having like 400.
and meanwhile in splatoon 1 I just have fake contacts, the shrimp-pink polo, and cream high-tops for function purely. it's silly how we evolve.
Oh boy that’s an unfortunate cutoff on the vid title in the description
I love how you thought we weren’t going to make it through the whole video, this is an amazing video. You got me to look at Splatoon in a whole new way and I will absolutely be checking out your new channel
The Control part couldnt be more true.
I just started Street Fighter 6 last week and i still dont know what im doing and dont feel in control at all.
Splatoon is easy to understand and even if you only played it for 10 Minutes you can at least contribute.
I only ever played the original Splatoon on the WiiU, but this really made me miss it.
I got up to level 20 something and was just really into it.
@3:50 This fight sequence was pretty great.
Shout-outs to the snipers that use the grey sweatshirt. You KNOW that sh- got respawn punisher on it 😂
this is one of my favourite or your videos yet. very well said!
I used to hate the matcha down jacket in Splatoon 2, but because 3 doesn't have the shirt I loved in 2 I started using it and I actually kinda love it now. Wish the color was slightly different but I've grown attached to it
When I tell my friends "I have an outfit for everything," I mean it.
This is what I mean. Heh.
Video essay channel is real
My inkling is unique because it is a BLUE CHARA.
damn I got called outaround the 10 minute mark. Nice to know we all ahd the exact same idea
i love this video its so true and something ive thought about a lot with splatoon
Splatoon really IS this most expressive multiplayer game. Great video and good luck with the new channel, Gem! I'll see you there surely!
yeah, players are oddly unique in this game. even when jumping titles, people can only be somewhat similar
i don't even have my old splatoon 2 shirt or shoes available to me, let alone even put in the game. i also preferred the "indigo pupil + sky blue iris" over the normal "black pupil + blue iris" i used, considering i find it more appealing and fitting. (and in contrast to the first thing, i actually do have all my splatoon 3 gear in splatoon 2, but it just doesn't function the same. i do still use studio headphones in both, though)
for example, try perfectly recreating a friend's character and fighting them in private battle. (weapon too!)
i saved my friend's outfit and player settings to an amiibo (while having mine on another), and fought them a few times with their (then) favorite weapon.
even if i still won 9/10 times, it definitely felt very off to me and i no longer felt like i was actually playing as me. (mostly because i literally wasn't)
I had that exact experience with Luna blaster
I then learned that I sucked at blasters
7:54 You say that but forgot about the orca bolero pearl oysters combo that every kensa fan wears/j
This seems like less of a video about why my splatoon character is unique and more of a video to show my friends when they say “splatoon is just painting”
me rocking the thermal ink vaporwave tee with tristringer
This rings pretty true for me. Back in the first game I was experimenting a lot with looks, eventually settling into the camping hat. Then comes the second game and once I formed a friend group around it, the camping hat ended up becoming a staple of my look from there on out. Admittedly it got a bit much at times, but overall I'm pretty happy with that reality.
Also I may or may not have burned a lot of snails on it once it finally got added to the third game just to get it to five stars immediately. It just felt silly that it took so long to return.
really good insight. i love analysis vids like this, on particularly unique game design aspects. you hit the nail on the head
me who used the gear seed website and unironically has three hats that all have pure swim speed
8:18 Pearl Punks my beloved, bring them back 🙏🙏🙏
🎵 Gem is a cow, gem is a cow 🎵
honestly this is well said, im personally obsessed with creating the optimal outfits for the favorite weapons
I literally wear a gas mask because my character is canonically a Salmonid. Part of me, as someone who likes customizing and plays fairly infrequently does wish I could more easily mix and match bits of my outfit (My gear build isn't even done yet cause I just settled on my main this season and have been playing way less than I did last season). However because of the restriction of my gas mask, I had to get creative and make a piece of gear that would work on a large variety of weapons, that also synergizes well with my main, since it's the ONLY headwear I can ever wear if I wanna stay true to the little OC I built up in my head.
My octopus boi became a lil oc of mine after liking the drip so much.
And also british because someone said he looked vaguely british
squid school’s lesson on anatomy
Mostly everyone has chosen an octoling
my inkling looks unique because i never play as the same character for more than 20 matches and i dont care about chunks so i just slap on whatever makes them cutest
Oh the king flip mesh...... I'll have you again soon.....
i will say, for people who loved wii aim gyro wasnt that bad to get used to. plus i get into communities more than i play the actual games, so hearing tons of 'pro' players say to go motion controls + that wii/mario kart experience made it really easy to learn motion.
... it seems he forgot about the identical all quick res setup
To me, the grindiness of the chlothing makes it so I only buy chlothing based on looks and customize the abilities to my liking.
it's crazy how well you have explained the experience of playing this game, though. this is a play-by-play of how i became a Splatoon superfan.
I choose my gear based on look, and then spend hours for grinding a few of the desierd chunks on them, and then spend all my hard earned chunks with spyke. 800 hours in the game, and Still I need a few hours to make a new set of gear
Thank you gem this is a topic I've wanted to think about and eventually just write about it, so it helps hearing from another person...
Gem, the gear system actually has a very negative effect on me.
I find that the infinite grind-ability of gear makes me annoyed that some players will be better off just for grinding, no skill required. I feel the same with the weapons too, as I can remember really wanting to try the dapples in splat 2, and being stuck with “less fun” dualies until I grinded for levels.
I agree with the uniqueness, that is a really cool aspect, but it also seems to have other negative effects on the game, especially in tournaments, as you described, as it can lead to weapon-limitations.
Really exited for your other channel!
You da best, Gem.
No one will ever look like me? WRONG! Amiibo outfit
5:53 wow gem really is an English teacher-- "unbesmirched" is a great vocab word
Moral of the story, just be yourself.
uhhhhhhh i wasnt expecting to type so much but this video made me emo so thrres a buncha rambling abt my feelings for this silly video game below
god i love this video sm bcs its true!! the description of how splatoon appeals to artists and how they make their own ocs based on their player avatars is EXACTLY what i did when i first got the game! my very first splatoon oc embodies my first experience playing the game after admiring it from afar for so long due to not owning a switch until recently: just unbridled joy and having the absolute time of my life!
although there are times where i get tilted with the game now (because of the knowledge ive accumulated over the course of playing it like the meta/general gamer rage), i still remember the sheer joy i felt playing my first game of turf war through that oc, that personality and backstory ive given my silly little avatar, and it makes me feel a little better after a bad game or two :]
its just...i dunno!! despite having its flaws, splatoon is a game i'll always hold dear to my heart and never really get tired of in the long run because of uh...alotta things, but a HUGE reason is definitely its ability to bring people together due to the amount of self-expression in the game!!
There's a big gap between "takes 3 hours to unlock everything" and "game is impossible to fully unlock." There's a Grizzco item that takes 999 gold scales to unlock. When a task is impossible people don't try as hard. I played S1 and S2 an hour or two a day after work, this one 5-10 mins to get my catalog bonus then I'm done.
8:37 omg jocat
The bucket hat is literally my thing 😎😎