I love side order to pieces, octo expansion is generally accepted as being great. Playing Splatoon two storymode for the first time right now and already bored on my first playthrough 💀
i really truly think side order's first trailer is simultaneously the worst and best thing that happened to it . using concept art as your first eye catching selling point is almost like showing false promises . and the final product just . did not live up to the hype of that first trailer at all
octo expansion showed both gameplay AND a trailer to give a taste of what we were getting . and it lived up to its hype MASSIVELY even exceeding it . side order just showed so much that wasn't delivered in the end . and left so so many disappointed with what we got
S2's campaign was narratively dry but was blissfully full of content compared to S3 ROTM. So many soundtrack bangers and a bunch of bosses and intriguing levels to play. To me its just slightly above ROTM for the experience alone rather than the story.
(Also I am aware that this is an unpopular opinion but something about the design of the S2 levels stuck with me more than S3's. This applies to S1's levels as well but isn't discussed since OP did not picture it in their conversation starter)
Side Order fell very very short in most aspects but I love it for what it is, though introspection regarding it is definitely needed because the DLC was lacking in ways. OE isn't even a discussion, not only was that lightning in a bottle and a first (DLC) for the Splatoon series but the-
entire content from start to finish was an absolute banger. So narratively rich, the soundtrack had so much character and impact, and the levels very very memorable. I stayed up until 2 am the day of release finishing it when I was 17. Never in my life prior to that did I ever do something like that
After playing Octo Exp, I can see why many were disappointed on Side Order and to the extent Splat 3 hero mode since they took the formula from it. Though I give SO & Splat3 credits to be a bit more forgiving than Octo Exp. But I can see the disappointment
Yeah but S3 feel like a downgrade, It was more about the Lore/Story than it being a FUN mode, The fun is there but not like S2 hero mode, that mode was unforgettable
Splatoon story modes arent that fun in general to me, cause they dont really make them difficult due to it being a kids game- so lore is more important imo
It's kinda hard for me to remember a stage in Octo Canyon that was exceptional, even any of the boss fights. While I remember plenty of levels from Alterna that I had a good time with. It's a quality over quantity thing for me.
Doesn't matter though, 'cause Octo Expansion clears both.
Splatoon 3 felt like they tried to do a bunch of things but didn't have the time. Like where was Octavio between falling into the pit and suddenly appearing at the end? "oh no cuttlefish died! Jk he's ok." What was the point of that?
Last point is a personal grievance but I didn't like how Neo 3 was magically whisked into space by the eels and master mega. It felt a bit too much of an ass pull as if they couldn't think of a way for Neo 3 to get to space.
Small correction there: NA3 actually super jumped into space, using the eels and Master Mega for leverage. Still a bit weird to me because I don't think we've ever seen a super jump go even remotely that far.
If it was me I'd say that'd be a good point for Octavio to appear. NA3 misses the ship, everyone's feeling helpless but then he offers to help and gives some cool words of "this is OUR turf!" Before they fly away in his mech.
Octavio could drop NA3 off on the rocket and then the first fight against Mr. Grizz takes place as normal, with Octavio acting as a lookout, ready to catch NA3 should anything happen. (Spoiler alert: something does.)
I saw a great thread on Twitter a while back (I don't think it's still up unfortunately) at just how rushed Splatoon 3 truly was, and I think that might've extended to the story mode, leading to some of its... ermmm... more questionable writing choices.
I'd say Octo Expansion's definitely better than Side Order, when talking about the story. SO left me so disappointed in that respect. I don't think I could compare both dlcs gameplay tho since they're both fun in their own ways. But Octo Expansion did keep me replaying more than Side Order did
S2's hero mode story resonates more w me bc of the Squid Sisters stories before the game came out and just, in general, me bein a sucker for stories w siblings reconnecting. The gameplay's nothing special tho, and 100% completion (or 1000% more like) is soooo. So boring.
S3's story, while being the grandest of them all, also left me disappointed like Side Order. Tho I guess it's more nitpicks of my own with the lore that's established. I also don't like how underutilized Deep Cut is and, unsurprisingly, the lack of agent 4 lol (this goes for Side Order too)
I think some parts of RoTM's story is rlly great tho (more story ab humans, Alterna in general.) The gameplay is tried n true OE formula which is of course fun and replayable, I just wish it wasn't the exact same formula, down to the ending sequence
Ok let me say something about this, ROTM was good but was not on the same level for Splat 2 Hero Mode, Lore/Story wise ROTM take the cake But Everything else Splat 2 Hero mode has it, More Bosses, Better Fun Levels, More replayable Splat 2 hero mode just had more charm to it than ROTM
OE IS WAY BETTER THAN SO
Sorry but Side order (SO) was a waste, Story was good the replayability is there but Octo expansion (OE) was Splatoon Best mode of all time Fun levels, 2 better boss fight than SO, Everything about OE was just Better, PLz go play trust me 👍
Comments
Revenge of the Octaliens would tie, but it has the excuse of "first game syndrome"
TVS is the face of how Spla2n is like a shitty Wii U port.
Doesn't matter though, 'cause Octo Expansion clears both.
Octavio could drop NA3 off on the rocket and then the first fight against Mr. Grizz takes place as normal, with Octavio acting as a lookout, ready to catch NA3 should anything happen. (Spoiler alert: something does.)
Octo Expansion: best story,
Side Order: best gameplay,
Return of the Mammalians: best overall.
Was never too big on Octo Canyon.
Sorry but Side order (SO) was a waste, Story was good the replayability is there but Octo expansion (OE) was Splatoon Best mode of all time Fun levels, 2 better boss fight than SO, Everything about OE was just Better, PLz go play trust me 👍