Splatter

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

Splatter is a Platformer released on Nintendo Switch in 2021 where players move a spongy ball around a level, collecting pickups to access the level’s exit. However, the catch is that nothing in the level can be seen until you splat paint on it.

This sort of thing is not a new idea. In fact, we saw something similar a few years ago in the form of Ink. Splatter even aims for a similar “black light painting” look. However, I would argue that Ink does a better job with this, as the colors spread in Ink just don’t seem to “pop” like they do in Ink. Splatters visuals are backed by a synthesized New Agey-sounding soundtrack that works, but isn’t especially memorable.

And unfortunately, the comparisons to Ink will have to continue here, because Splatter doesn’t quite stack up to Ink in its gameplay, either – your “splays” spread far less ink, and you’re unable to jump and must find a ramp to fling yourself into the air. Both of these elements combine to make it far harder to unveil the level’s layout, and that’s on top of how much more difficult it is in this game to do platforming (because, again, no jump). As a result, so much of the gameplay here becomes an exercise in trial and error, and just isn’t as fun as it feels like this game should be with the quick and fluid movements of your character.

In the end, I don’t think Splatter is a bad game, but it’s so very difficult to recommend it when there’s another game that does close to the same thing, does it better, and has been out on Nintendo Switch for 3 years. Splatter may be just over half the price, but trust me when I say that if you’re looking for a colorful Platformer that has you unveiling the platforms as you play, you’re better off spending a bit extra (or catching a sale) and getting Ink instead.

tl;dr – Splatter is a colorful Platformer where your movements spread paint that reveals the level and its platforms. Unfortunately, both the visuals and gameplay are very similar to another game, Ink, that simply does these things better. The lack of a jump and your limited ability to spread paint are the major culprits here, resulting in this game leaning far too heavily toward trial and error. Suffice it to say, if this game seems interesting to you, you’re better off getting Ink first.

Grade: C-

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