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Nintendo is responsible for some of the most beloved video game properties of all time, and back in 2015, they introduced the world to the chaotic shooter mayhem of Splatoon. Splatoon has steadily grown into one of Nintendo’s most popular modern franchises as well as one of their top multiplayer experiences, and its upcoming Switch sequel, Splatoon 3, indicates a rich life ahead for the creative shooter.
A slick art style and fast-paced, polished gameplay are major contributing factors to Splatoon’s success, but the games are also loved for the strange world that they’re set in, where centuries of flooding have drastically changed its inhabitants. Inklings and Octolings dominate in Inkopolis, but the existence of mammals adds some curious depth to Splatoon’s lore.
7 They Became Extinct In The Mollusc Era
There are countless video game worlds that feature creative riffs on reality, whether they’re set in the past, future, or some radical, new universe. There are remnants of a normal society that bubble to the surface in Splatoon, but, by and large, the game’s unusual world is the result of millennia of change.
Splatoon’s world exists in the Mollusc Era, a new period of existence that started 2000 years before the events of the video game series but occurs 10,000 years after the flooding of the Earth and the resulting deaths of all land mammals. It’s this aggressive climate change that leads to the evolution of Inklings, Octarians, and beyond, but also explains why mammals have become an extinct life form.
6 There Are Still Cats Thanks To Cryogenic Freezing And Cloning
The world of Splatoon is one that caters to fish, crustaceans, jellyfish, and other aquatic creatures, which makes it easy to completely forget about mammals and other forms of animals. Curiously, there are two very vocal mammals that have been present throughout the first two Splatoon titles in the form of intrepid multiplayer judges, Judd and Li’l Judd, two cats.
The circumstances that surround the survival of these mammals haven’t been detailed in length, but it’s indicated that Judd was cryogenically frozen and woken up in the Mollusc Era, following humanity’s fall, whereas Li’l Judd is a clone that’s the product of the same high-tech science.
5 Their Return Is A Major Part Of Splatoon 3’s Story
Splatoon 3 is one of the most highly anticipated Switch releases for 2022, with it being nearly five years since the release of Splatoon 2. Each game in the series has expanded on the franchise’s lore and characters in satisfying ways, and it looks as if the next installment will feature the most drastic changes yet.
Splatoon 3’s main story is titled “Return of the Mammalians,” which will feature the grand return of the world’s neglected species. Mammalians seem to be mutated versions of mammals and an interesting new wrinkle in evolution. The full circumstances surrounding why the Mammalians are suddenly free, as well as if they’ll be a permanent fixture of the series, remains to be seen.
4 Fuzzy Ooze Play Important Roles In The Growing Mammalian Invasion
There is a fair share of hazards that litter the world of Splatoon, but the newest entry in the series brings forward an unprecedented level of danger with the mysterious Fuzzy Ooze. This new substance has polluted Alterna, and contact with it causes Octarians and Inklings to grow fur and essentially become useless.
These furry, mammal-esque Fuzzy Ooze creations lose their senses and are rendered immobile. Fuzzy Ooze is a serious obstacle to overcome, but, fortunately, Splatoon 3’s new “Little Buddy” Smallfry companion can nullify Fuzzy Ooze and its mysterious ailments.
3 Their Return May Be Connected To The New Terrain, Alterna
The Splatoon series has included some amazing areas to explore, such as Inkopolis or Octo Valley, but the upcoming Splatoon 3 will expand the boundaries of the world even further with Alterna. Alterna is a new environment with a punishing arctic terrain that seems like it was once a hub for humanity judging by the rocket ship and laboratory that are present there.
Most importantly, Alterna appears to be ground zero for the Mammalian outbreak. It’s possible that the inhabitants of Alterna were keeping mammals preserved or conducting experiments with their DNA, which got out of control and led to the Mammalians. It’s also possible that the colder temperatures of Alterna are a crucial clue to the Mammalians’ existence.
2 Pure Mammals And Animals Are The Only Creatures Who Haven’t Evolved Or Mutated
Splatoon 3 seems heavily focused on the introduction of Mammalians, but it’s important to understand that, despite their similarities, they’re not exactly the same as mammals. Some of Splatoon’s species, like Inklings, Ocotolings, and Mammalians, are all the result of years of genetic evolution. On the other hand, Judd and L’il Judd are unaffected by the changes of the world and exist as pure mammals that resemble regular cats.
Additionally, Splatoon features a few airborne animals that still exist, like sparrows, gulls, ducks, pigeons, and butterflies, all of which are free from mutation. Splatoon 2 also makes a brief reference to how there are baby turtles present to cheer up employees, which indicates they may also still exist as “normal” pets.
1 They Might Also Be Mind Controlled And Not Inherently Evil
There is an abundance of cute characters in the Splatoon universe, but they’ve been subjected to some brutal conflicts over the years. An ongoing war has existed between the Inklings and the Octarians, which comes to a head in Splatoon 2. These former enemies become allies of sorts in the “Octo Expansion DLC,” where Octolings become playable after they’re released from DJ Octavio’s mind control.
Splatoon 3’s “Return of the Mammalians” campaign indicates that Mammalians are a new threat, but it wouldn’t be surprising if their true nature were more nuanced, like with the Octarians. Someone else may be pulling the strings behind the scene and forcing them to become aggressive. There’s a lot more to explore with these new characters.
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