SPLAT FACTS

Side Order is a single-player mode in Splatoon 3, which was released as Wave 2 of the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass downloadable content (DLC). Wave 1 was Inkopolis, which allowed you to return to Inkopolis Plaza (from the first Splatoon game)! Ever wondered what would have happened if Team Order had beaten Team Chaos in the Final Splatfest of Splatoon 2? Well, the Side Order plot takes place in a version of Inkopolis Square where that was the outcome. Best of all, this single-player experience is designed to be played over and over!

NOT GRAY-T

Once again, you’ll step into the shoes of Octo Expansion’s Agent 8, who has been suddenly transported into the Order Sector. Basically, you woke up to find that Inkopolis Square had been drained of colours, and the residents were missing! This world has its own set of rules, and it certainly feels strange with all the colour taken away – unlike the usually colourful environments of Splatoon! Instead of the Deca Tower, you’ll find the Spire of Order – and you’ll be challenged to ascend it. However, the Spire changes floor structure each time it’s entered, and there are hordes of surprising enemies and obstacles inside.

COLOURFUL CREW

Pearl from Off The Hook is also hanging around in the Order Sector, but she has been turned into a drone. Pearl will accompany you and help out in combat. There is also a new character called Acht, who has important knowledge of the Spire and travels between Floors in the elevator with Agent 8. After Agent 8 finds a signal from Marina (the other member of Off The Hook), your group works on climbing the Spire to find her, and tries to uncover the truth behind the Order Sector.

GOING UP

In Side Order mode, everything takes place in the Floors of the Spire of Order. With 30 Floors to explore, you’ll also find a boss every 10 floors. As you play, you can select one of three objectives before each Floor begins, but the objectives change every time you make an attempt. The harder objectives mean better rewards, and every Floor gets harder as you rise in the Spire. Objectives can be anything from defeating enemies to securing areas for a certain amount of time. You can unlock different main weapons, which are assigned to individual ‘Palettes’. Obtain Keys dropped by bosses to unlock the Palettes, and open Lockers in this grayscale version of Inkopolis Square. The contents of each Locker is random, so you might unlock specific Palettes earlier or later than other players. Each Palette can unlock up to three keys, used to unlock different rewards from Lockers. Clearing Floors rewards you with Membux, which can be used as currency for Floors with vending machines.

PRECIOUS CHIPS

After you choose a Floor, use the Color Chips you receive to score enhancements. Some are like the gear abilities you might already be used to in Splatoon 3. If you lose all your lives, you also lose all your Color Chips, and will have to restart from the first Floor! When that happens, the Color Chips and Membux you had will be turned into Prlz – give those to Marina to buy permanent upgrades in the Square. As you ascend the floors of the Spire of Order, you will strengthen your abilities. You’ll also notice Drone color chips – the Pearl Drone can glide with you, scout sight enemies, and activate the Step-Off Song after collecting three Disc Pieces. For everything else, you need Drone color chips to unlock 'em.