Nintendo released the long-awaited multiplayer action shooter game, “Splatoon 3,” on Sept. 9, leaving Inklings and Octlings alike to finally be able to battle it out with a plethora of new weapons, maps and a whole new campaign to play through. 

Nintendo surprised the world with an announcement of a free Splatfest — a 24 to 48 hour event in which players vote on three choices — for example, rock, paper or scissors — on Aug. 27. 

This was the first taste of the new game that avid “Splatoon 2” players and those new to the game thoroughly enjoyed. 

With the game fully released now, new players can squash the stigma of long-standing overpowered players wrecking their lobbies and can actually level up and have fun while doing it. 

“Splatoon 3” is set in a new world, the Splatlands, which many people believe to be connected to the past worlds of “Splatoon” and “Splatoon 2.”

The Splatlands, “a sun-scorched desert inhabited by battle-hardened Inklings and Octolings,” as described by Nintendo, is a “city of chaos” and “is the adrenaline-fueled heart of this dusty wasteland.”

Following “Splatoon 2,” the multiplayer turf war battle is the favorite and highlight of the new game, although it comes with many new advancements in spawning, dodging and covering as much turf as possible before the other team can. 

With new “dynamic moves,” players can experiment with updated mechanics in stealthy jumps and new special attacks that may lead to victory if used correctly. 

One of the new weapons, which was highly anticipated from previous “Splatoon 3” announcements, is the Tri-Slinger, a bow-shaped weapon used specifically to sling ink at opponents. Other weapons that quickly became popular in-game are the new Splatana and Splatana Wiper, which look very similar to a windshield wiper. 

Along with a few more new weapons that players have been feverishly waiting to get their tentacles on, weapons that were passed down from “Splatoon 2” have a full new set of secondary weapons, which would be different kinds of bombs, and new special weapons. Some of the new special weapons are the crab tank, trizooka, wave breaker and reefslider, all of which do exponential damage if timed correctly in the match. 

Along with new turf war maps and weapons, the game also features Anarchy battles which rotate among different game styles, like Tower Control, Splat Zones and Clam Blitz. 

If multiplayer battles seem overwhelming at the start, “Splatoon 3” also comes with an intense story mode where players can “join Agent 3 in a fight against the unruly Octarians” and “discover the secrets of Alterna, the Fuzzy Ooze, and how they connect to the mode’s theme, ‘Return of the Mammalians.’” 

“Splatoon 3” also comes with new Salmon Run maps, another choice of gameplay that will help players customize their clothes the best way for battle. 

“Splatoon 3” is available for purchase or download from the Nintendo Online Store for $59.99. Nintendo has already announced the upcoming Splatfest, which will be Sept. 23-25, and poses the question: “what would you bring to a deserted island?” with the choices being gear, grub or fun.