The world of Splatoon 3 is set to grow through an expansion pass announced during the latest Nintendo Direct. This expansion pass will feature two waves of content, each packed with new and returning locations that have characters for players to discover and familiarize themselves with. As with most aspects of Splatoon 3, this DLC will likely provide fans with tidbits of lore to help expand on the overarching world-building and plot of the game's universe, making it a must-play for those fascinated with Splatoon's post-apocalyptic world.
The first wave of DLC for Splatoon 3 features a return to the hub world of Inkopolis from the original Splatoon, released in 2015 on the Wii U. Players will get to revisit this metropolis complete with returning shops, as well as see the Squid Sisters, Callie and Marie, perform during Splatfests when this wave launches in Spring 2023. The second wave launches sometime in the future, but features new single-player story content titled "Side Order," which looks to expand upon the lore surrounding the results of Splatoon 2's Chaos versus Order Splatfest.
Inkopolis' Makeover Should Explain Many Characters' Roles in Splatoon 3
According to the trailer shown during the Nintendo Direct, things have changed around Inkopolis, with many new and some old faces to be seen. Fans will notice Annie the sea anemone and her clownfish Moe are still running the headgear shop Cooler Heads, and Jelonzo the jellyfish still runs the clothing store Jelly Fresh. However, with Sheldon's departure to Splatsville, two new horseshoe crabs named Shelly and Donny have taken over Ammo Knights. Fred Crumbs also seems to have taken over for Crusty Sean while he on globe-trotting adventures, leaving Shrimp Kicks in the care of a brand-new character.
The shake up to the roster of characters around Inkopolis should provide players with more lore regarding why some left and what the others have been doing in the meantime. Sheldon and Crusty Sean's departure in particular poses questions as to who the new characters taking over their shops are, and why they were chosen for the job. Even having Callie and Marie return to the spotlight poses questions about their lives outside the New Squidbeak Splatoon.
Side Order Might Provide Further Development for Off the Hook
The majority of the new lore will likely come from wave 2's Side Order single-player campaign. As the name suggests, Side Order will likely follow Marina and the events surrounding her team's loss in the pivotal Chaos versus Order Splatfest that capped off Splatoon 2's regular content updates. Although Splatoon 3's setting of Splatsville highlights the outcome of Team Chaos' victory through the surrounding desolate Splatlands, the base game doesn't really touch on what happened to Marina or Pearl outside a few minor references.
This DLC is the perfect opportunity to dive into Off the Hook's activities post-Splatoon 2 while developing the greater world like the Octo Expansion did during Splatoon 2's run. With Callie and Marie featured prominently in Splatoon 3's Return of the Mammalians campaign, fans of Splatoon 2's idols were left with only crumbs of lore to uncover. Wave 2 of the expansion pass now has a chance to rectify this by focusing on Pearl and Marina, giving them proper character development.
Splatoon 3 is available now for Nintendo Switch.
