The Hidden World of Splatoon: Lore You Need Before Raiders
Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be a bold new direction for Nintendo’s ink-splattered franchise. While the core gameplay still revolves around turf wars and colorful chaos, Raiders introduces a more story-driven experience with RPG elements, character progression, and a darker tone than we’ve seen in previous entries. But to fully appreciate what’s happening in this new chapter, it helps to understand the strange, layered world that’s been built over the past decade.
The Splatoon universe isn’t just about squid kids shooting paint — it’s a post-apocalyptic tale wrapped in bright colors and catchy music. Here’s what you need to know before jumping in.
A World Rebuilt After Humanity’s Fall
The story of Splatoon begins long after humanity vanished. Climate collapse and rising sea levels erased the old world, leaving the planet open for other species to evolve. Over thousands of years, marine life adapted to land. The most prominent of these are the Inklings — humanoid beings descended from squids who can shift between human and cephalopod forms.
They live in bustling cities like Inkopolis and Splatsville, where turf wars are a national pastime and fashion changes with the seasons. But beneath the surface of this vibrant society lies a deeper history marked by conflict, survival, and the lingering influence of a lost world.
The Octarians: The Underground Heirs
Long before the Inklings rose to dominance, another species ruled the ruins: the Octarians. Descended from octopuses, they retreated underground after a great war over the remaining resources on the surface. That conflict, known as the Great Turf War, ended with the Inklings victorious and the Octarians forced into subterranean habitats.
Despite their defeat, the Octarians never stopped seeking a way back to the surface. Their society became militarized and hierarchical, led by figures like DJ Octavio, who seeks to reclaim what he believes is rightfully theirs. This ongoing tension between the two factions forms the backbone of much of the series’ narrative.
The Storytellers of the Surface
The Squid Sisters — Callie and Marie — were among the first characters to introduce players to this world. As pop idols and news anchors, they guided newcomers through the basics of Splatoon while also hinting at deeper mysteries.
Their cousin, Off the Hook — Pearl and Marina — later took up the mantle, bringing a more electronic sound and a sharper awareness of social issues within Inkling society. These duos aren’t just entertainers; they often serve as unofficial historians, reflecting on past events and warning of emerging threats.
In Splatoon 2, their investigations into strange signal interference led to the discovery of the Octarian resurgence, setting the stage for the game’s Hero Mode.
The Salmonid Menace
Perhaps the most enigmatic force in the Splatoon universe is the Salmonid threat. These aggressive, salmon-like creatures emerge from the ocean in cyclical waves, driven by a mysterious force known as the Golden Egg.
They’re not interested in turf or territory — they want to consume everything in their path. Salmon Runs, cooperative missions where players fend off waves of Salmonids, reveal that these creatures are part of a much larger ecological cycle.
Some lore suggests they may be connected to the ancient extinction event that wiped out humanity, or even to a failed attempt at reversing it. Their presence adds a layer of cosmic unease to an otherwise playful world.
How the Story Is Told
What makes Splatoon’s lore so compelling is how it’s delivered. Rather than long cutscenes or exposition dumps, the story unfolds through environmental details, enemy designs, weapon descriptions, and subtle changes in the background music.
A cracked poster in an alleyway might reference a forgotten war. A rival gang’s graffiti could hint at political unrest. Even the design of weapons — some resembling repurposed household objects — speaks to a society rebuilding from scraps.
This approach invites players to piece together the truth themselves, making discoveries feel personal and earned.
What Raiders Might Reveal
Early trailers show a more rugged aesthetic, with characters wearing scavenged gear and exploring ruined cities overtaken by nature. There’s talk of factions beyond Inklings and Octarians, possibly including groups that have adapted to the Salmonid-infested coastlines or cults that worship the remnants of human technology.
The game may finally answer questions that have lingered since the first title: What exactly caused humanity’s demise? Are there any survivors? And can the Inkling and Octopus peoples ever find peace, or are they doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past?
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to memorize every detail to enjoy Splatoon Raiders. But knowing the bones of this world — its fallen history, its uneasy truces, and its strange blend of whimsy and dread — will make the experience richer.
As you splash through new territories and uncover hidden secrets, remember that every ink-splattered wall might be telling a story older than civilization itself. The truth is out there. And it’s weird, wonderful, and well worth uncovering.