The team behind Square Enix’s Foamstars has addressed the persistent comparisons between its new online party shooter and Nintendo’s Splatoon. While the parallels between the two games are evident, involving the core mechanic of colorful sprays impacting the opposing team, the Foamstars team is eager to emphasize its uniqueness beyond these associations.

Foamstars is an upcoming online party shooter centered around covering the arena and the opposing team in colorful foam. The lasting presence of the foam on the field alters the geography of the map, enabling players to swiftly surf over it, create hiding spots or vantage points, and obstruct opponents. Similarly, the widely popular Splatoon series revolves around spraying ink over the map, coating the terrain and other players in the team’s colors. Both games share the objective of coloring the map in their team's hue, showcasing apparent similarities in gameplay, mechanics, and visual appeal.

In a discussion with VCG, the Foamstars team asserts that it is a “completely different game,” expressing optimism that players will recognize the game’s distinctiveness upon its release, beyond its resemblances to the Nintendo shooter. Producer Kosuke Okatani, when questioned about the comparisons, admitted to feeling weary of them, stating, “First of all, yes,” before elaborating further: “There have been many comparisons on the internet, but also, we saw on social media that the people who actually played it saw that it’s a completely different game and I hope you also agree.” Okatani also highlighted the uniqueness of the mechanic employed by both games, expressing a desire for titles like Splatoon and Foamstars to evolve into their own genre.

To establish its presence in the fiercely competitive PvP shooter market, particularly as a PlayStation exclusive, Foamstars must offer something exceptional. It adopts the hero shooter format, leveraging the genre’s popularity with its diverse characters, each equipped with unique weapons and playstyles. With an engaging roster of characters and the innovative foam mechanic, Foamstars stands poised to make its mark in the competitive shooter landscape.

To secure the initial player base crucial for its success, Foamstars will debut directly on PlayStation Plus upon its February 6 launch. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering the game’s audience, ensuring it thrives as an online multiplayer title and avoids the fate of titles like The Day Before, which ceased operations due to insufficient player numbers. The developers have confirmed their readiness with a year’s worth of content prepared for the game, remaining open to adapting, including a potential focus on single-player modes if required.