I developed a strong affection for the initial version of Splitgate when I was craving an engaging first-person shooter (FPS) experience. However, over time, I lost interest and stopped playing. Yet, as soon as I heard about Splitgate 2, I was intrigued. This sequel promises technical advancements on the original game, along with popular features requested by players and an enigmatic new mode – sounds exciting! After giving it a go, I find Splitgate 2 to be decent but not exceptional. It has a solid base, but unfortunately, it seems to repeat some of the same errors made by the franchises it aims to outshine.
Jumping around
Similar to its predecessor, Splitgate 2 is a type of multiplayer game known as an arena shooter. What makes it unique from other games in the genre is the use of portals that allow players to move around the map, gaining strategic positions against opponents. The portals are what truly distinguish Splitgate and remain my preferred feature when playing. There’s a great sense of satisfaction in appearing behind an unaware enemy and eliminating them, or using momentum and gravity to burst out of a portal, covering vast distances quickly.
In Splitgate, you’ll often find yourself reevaluating your strategies as portals change the gameplay dynamics at every corner. They affect how you approach objectives, where you position yourself, and even how you counter enemy tactics. Skilled players use them tactically, either to eliminate an enemy or launch grenades before sealing them shut again. Essentially, Splitgate can be described as a blend of Halo and Portal, although it may not be as groundbreaking as the original creations by Bungie and Valve, Splitgate 2 still does an excellent job of building upon their foundational concepts.
In Splitgate 2, one of the major updates is the introduction of customizable loadouts. This means that players can now design unique combinations of weapons and gear for each of the three factions. They get to choose the attachments, perks, and equipment for these loadouts. At first, they’ll have a limited selection, but as they progress by leveling up their weapons and factions, more options will become available.
It could be contended that the absence of loadouts in Splitgate 1 fostered a fair environment for players since they didn’t have to worry about competitive strategies, instead focusing on the immediate gameplay. However, this aspect was a significant issue for me because there was no feeling of advancement or progression. With the introduction of loadouts in Splitgate 2, I am motivated to explore all factions and test out their weapons, striving to upgrade them to unlock fresh attachments and perks that I can then tinker with.
It’s important to mention that at the moment, Splitgate 2 doesn’t have a ranked queue system. For me, who prefers competitive play in FPS games once I understand their mechanics, this is somewhat disappointing. Given that many players are transitioning from Splitgate 1, it seems that many of us were eager to dive in and start competing right away. However, the developers at 1047 are planning to introduce ranked play, but they haven’t shared a release date yet.
Last FPS game standing
As the launch of Splitgate 2 approached, developers at 1047 Games teased an exciting, game-changing addition. This unique feature would differentiate Splitgate 2 from its predecessor and provide fans with fresh content. To my surprise, this novelty turned out to be a battle royale mode. Despite the widespread fatigue among FPS enthusiasts towards battle royale games, I was eager to explore Splitgate 2’s new battle royale offering. Regrettably, I found it lackluster.
In the vein of Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone, Splitgate 2’s battle royale mode has adopted similar features such as gathering loot, acquiring gear from opponents, enhancing armor, and securing protective shields. The map is divided into distinct territories, with 15 squads of 4 navigating towards the center as a harmful boundary contracts the play area. As this boundary shrinks, the closed zones instill a sense of urgency, compelling players to adjust their positions.
Transitioning a traditional arena shooter into a battle royale style game can bring about some growing pains. For instance, the rhythm of matches sometimes feels off. Frequently, you and your team find yourself meandering around aimlessly, waiting for an adversary to appear while armed with potent gear and powerful weapons. I’m not sure if it’s due to the number of players or the map size, but I often encountered periods of boredom between skirmishes without any captivating distractions. Splitgate 2 shines brightest when things are happening at a breathtaking pace, yet battle royale doesn’t provide that exhilaration until the climactic moments—assuming opposing teams don’t get disoriented and perish before reaching the final zone due to the encroaching circle.
On my computer, Splitgate 2 performs quite smoothly, but it’s during battle royale games that I encountered problems. Regularly, I’d experience frame drops while transitioning between zones because the game was loading the fresh area.
In this version of Battle Royale, certain fundamental aspects have been tweaked. The use of portals is restricted and regenerates over time. At first, I found this annoying, but later realized it introduced an intriguing challenge to the game, penalizing players who excessively used portals during battle frenzy. One aspect that stood out during my Battle Royale experience was the ability to teleport vast distances using these portals.
Despite all the pre-launch hype surrounding Splitgate 2’s battle royale mode, it appears more like an additional feature than a core aspect of the game. It seems as though this mode was added later in development, rather than being designed with a dedicated focus on the experience. If you’re seeking a temporary diversion, you might find a few matches entertaining before returning to the regular modes. However, it didn’t leave me with the same level of engagement as many other battle royale games that have shaped the genre over the last decade.
Portals as a service
In Splitgate, two players work on accomplishing daily and weekly assignments to advance through the Battle Pass. The Battle Pass is divided into three parts that become accessible as the season progresses. Since it’s a live-service game, the Battle Pass offers both free and premium rewards, all of which are cosmetic in nature – think weapon skins, portal visual effects, character skins, emotes, and more. The appeal may depend on your interest level in such items, but I find it positive that they seem unimportant and harmless. Additionally, there’s an in-game shop where you can buy cosmetics not available in the Battle Pass.
Although I had hoped that Splitgate 2 would be a bolder, more self-assured expansion of the fantastic idea introduced in the initial game, I must admit that I’ve still had some enjoyable moments jumping in for a few matches each evening and blasting away. The battle royale aspect seems to be derivative, but the modes I truly enjoyed managed to satisfy my FPS cravings. It doesn’t quite deliver the immersive experience I was hoping for, but it stands out as one of the more intriguing choices in a rather sparse arena shooter genre at the moment.
This review is based on the Steam version of Splitgate 2.
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2025-06-24 03:28