Everything You Need to Know About Splatoon Lore Before Splatoon Raiders

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To the casual observer, Splatoon might appear to be nothing more than a vibrant, whimsical multiplayer romp featuring squid-kids armed with ink-blasting weaponry. However, those who have tracked the franchise’s evolution over the last decade know better: beneath the neon aesthetic lies one of the most intricate, bizarre, and thought-provoking mythologies in modern gaming.

This context is essential before you dive into Splatoon Raiders, the series’ latest foray into a dedicated single-player experience. While the core gameplay pivots toward high-stakes treasure hunting, the game is saturated with hidden worldbuilding found in collectible scrolls—offering, for example, a grim look at the economic instability currently plaguing Splatsville. Even if you’re a newcomer to the series, stepping into this delightfully strange universe is a rewarding journey. Prepare yourself for a deep dive into the history that hides just below the surface.

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The human apocalypse

Image: Nintendo

Despite its exuberant color palette, the heart of Splatoon is a sobering, post-apocalyptic narrative. Twelve millennia ago, humanity succumbed to a catastrophic environmental collapse, with rising sea levels largely ignored by a paralyzed government. A series of natural disasters—potentially triggered by the destruction of Antarctica—eventually submerged the globe. Humanity’s remaining survivors retreated to subterranean bunkers like the megastructure known as “Alterna,” while others launched themselves into the stars aboard the Ark Polaris.

A desperate scientific initiative began, aiming to preserve the species by studying the liquid crystals found in squid biology, which appeared to possess unique psychic properties. Artificial intelligence was developed to steward human knowledge for a future generation, and a professor even cryogenically preserved his cat, Judd, as a living relic of the past.

Tragically, these efforts proved futile. Alterna’s leadership attempted a final exodus via the “Spirit Lifter” rocket. During a test launch, a catastrophic ignition of the stored liquid crystals obliterated the facility, sealing the fate of the human race. And yes, this is an actual, canonical part of the Nintendo lore.

Squid-kids, rise up

Image: Nintendo

For 10,000 years, the Earth lay dormant. As ocean levels eventually receded, nature reclaimed the land, and the fallout from the Alterna disaster spurred a rapid evolutionary shift. Marine life began to ingest the scattered, psychic-infused crystals, effectively inheriting human intelligence and traits. This process eventually led to the emergence of the Inklings and the Octarians, who soon colonized the surface. The Splatlands—where Splatoon 3 is set—became the cradle of this new “Mollusc Era,” eventually giving rise to bustling urban centers like Inkopolis and Splatsville.

Two lingering mysteries defined this era: the Ark Polaris crew remained stranded in orbit for ten millennia, and Judd the cat eventually thawed from his cryogenic slumber, emerging as a surprisingly important witness to this new world.

The Great Turf War and its aftermath

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

History, as it turns out, is prone to repeating itself. As sea levels began to encroach on territory once again, tensions between the Inklings and Octarians ignited the “Great Turf War.” While the Octarians nearly secured victory using terrifying mechanical bosses known as Great Octoweapons, the Inklings eventually reclaimed the surface. The Octarians were banished to underground colonies, while the Inklings ushered in a golden age powered by the Great Zapfish.

Naturally, the Inklings turned their martial history into a lighthearted national pastime: the Turf War. Judd transitioned into his role as a professional referee, while local idols Callie and Marie rose to fame as news anchors. This period of harmony was periodically shattered by the Octarians’ attempts to reclaim the Zapfish, leading to the various heroic campaigns managed by various “Agents.”

Further complicating matters, a vestige of humanity’s past—an AI known as Commander Tartar—emerged from hibernation with a genocidal vendetta. Its Kamabo Corporation sought to reshape the world, only to be dismantled in the Octo Expansion by Agent 8 and a new alliance of pop icons, Pearl and Marina.

Salmonids and Mammalians

Splatoon Raiders

Image: Nintendo

All of this history converges in Splatoon Raiders. The Ark Polaris eventually crash-landed, leaving only one survivor: a bear who gained human-level intellect in space. Known as Mr. Grizz, he established Grizzco Industries, tasking Inklings with harvesting Golden Eggs from the migratory Salmonid populations. Splatoon 3 further expanded on this with the “Return of the Mammalians” campaign, where Mr. Grizz attempted to terraform the planet using “Fuzzy Ooze” to restore mammalian dominance. He was ultimately thwarted by the latest generation of heroes, aided by the music trio Deep Cut.

While the deeper lore enriches the experience, you don’t need a doctorate in Splatoon history to enjoy Splatoon Raiders. The setup is simple: Deep Cut, joined by an Inkling engineer, finds themselves stranded on the mysterious Spirhalite Islands following a brutal storm. Forced to fend off waves of Salmonids while scavenging for treasure, you’ll uncover plenty of secrets regarding the history of the Inklings and the islands themselves. The full depth of the mystery is yours to uncover as you set out on your own raid.

Source: Polygon

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