In the arena of competitive shooters, Splatoon has always held a special place with its unique gameplay that offers multiple avenues for players to contribute to their team. Wouldn’t it be fascinating if more developers started thinking along these lines? Foamstars, a vibrant multiplayer game by Square Enix, promises to be just that.

The Foamstars experience

Drawing heavily from Splatoon’s creative formula, Foamstars swaps ink for vivid foam in a thrilling new way. But it isn’t just a clone. Its matches strike a balance between Splatoon’s distinct style and a more classic shooter framework.

My encounter with Foamstars at the recent Summer Game Fest involved playing several matches that showcased the different characters and their game-altering capabilities. Despite the limited time, Foamstars had me intrigued with its potential to be an engaging and unique shooter, distinct from the much-loved Nintendo franchise.

Foam, strategy, and fun

My gameplay included rounds of Foamstars’ primary mode, Star Rush, a family-friendly team battle mode. Like in Splatoon, players use various foam-laden guns to cover the terrain. Your team’s foam allows rapid movement, while the opponent’s foam impedes progress.

Here’s where the Splatoon resemblance largely ends. Foamstars introduces a whole new combat approach: to defeat enemies, cover them in enough foam until they’re trapped in a large bubble and then crash into it to burst. Players can rescue their teammates by bursting the bubbles. It’s a strategic and engaging combat style that encourages aggressive play.

More than just foam – characters and abilities

Another noteworthy element of Foamstars is its character-centric gameplay, borrowing elements from Overwatch. Each character comes equipped with two special abilities, an “ultimate,” and their own unique foam weapon, bringing a fresh layer of strategy and excitement to the game.

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After my initial match, I began to appreciate the nuanced flow of the game. Teams get to shape the map as they fill it with foam, giving the opportunity for inventive strategies, similar to the thrill of constructing structures in Fortnite.

While I enjoyed my matches, I feel there’s still a lot to learn about the flow of battle and the most effective way to use foam. This complexity, however, adds depth to the team battles, suggesting potential for an engaging competitive scene.

What’s next for Foamstars?

Despite some hurdles, Foamstars is shaping up to be a thrilling multiplayer shooter. An exciting feature in the pipeline is the inclusion of a single-player campaign, though details remain under wraps.

Square Enix’s Foamstars doesn’t have a launch date yet, but it’s destined for PlayStation 4 and PS5. It seems poised to provide a novel twist on a loved formula, and I’m excited to see where this sudsy adventure leads.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on Foamstars! How do you think it compares to Splatoon and Overwatch? Share your insights and opinions in the comments section below!