Gary's Inktastic Journey

Gary's Inktastic Journey
Developer(s)	Faz Studios
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Distributor(s)	Nintendo
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch
Genre(s)	Platformer

Gary's Inktastic Journey is a 2.5D platforming game developed by Faz Studios as a spinoff of the Splatoon franchise, released for the Nintendo Switch on June 21st, 2021. The game, rather than focusing on an agent of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, follows Gary, a new character in the series, on a journey to escape from the Octarian homeland.

The gameplay follows a collectathon formula, similar to that of the Banjo-Kazooie franchise, as the player must collect Zapfish in order to proceed in the game while picking up optional collectibles along the way. However, when combined with the game's 2.5D nature, the formula is greatly altered in a style uncommon in games released before.

In November 2021, a free update was released for the game, being dubbed the "Octo Odyssey Update" adding more content to the post-game.

Plot

Sometime between the events of Splatoon and Splatoon 2, Gary is spending a late night playing video games in his apartment. After hearing strange noises from outside, he peeks out the window to see that Octarian ships are approaching the Great Zapfish. One of these ships notices Gary and deploys a claw which grabs him and drags him into the ship. The ships then fly off towards the Octarian homeland as Gary struggles to escape his captors. After letting out a scream which incapacitates the pilots, he heads over to the ship's controls in an attempt to return home. However, he ends up accidentally cutting the ship's engine, causing the entire ship to plummet down to the ground.

After recovering from the crash, Gary steps out of the wrecked ship only to find himself in Anemone Abyss. After exploring the area for a while, allowing the player to learn the controls of the game, he stumbles across a Zapfish, which he picks up. However, the Zapfish is quickly grabbed by an Octotrooper, who leaves without giving Gary any more trouble. He then gives chase, only to find that the Octotrooper was headed for a small building situated in the Abyss. After entering the building, he learns that the Octotrooper was part of a small rebellion against DJ Octavio, led by Sephalow. The latter then asks Gary to assist with the collection of Zapfish, which can open the gates to new Sectors, eventually leading the team to Cephalon HQ. Gary agrees, beginning his adventure.

Gary then travels across the Octarian homeland with the assistance of Sephalow and his crew, gathering Zapfish and destroying various Octoweapons on the way. Eventually, he arrives at Cephalon HQ and engages in battle with DJ Octavio himself, defeating him with a Killer Wail blast. After defeating the DJ for the time being, Gary is allowed to return to Inkopolis, with Sephalow inviting him to come back to visit the rebellion whenever he wished.

Gameplay

Gary's Inktastic Journey is a blend of traditional 2.5D platforming (mainly taking inspiration from the Super Mario franchise), Metroidvanias, and collectathons (such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day). The player controls Gary as they explore the game's many Sectors, each of which contains a variety of collectibles:

• Gold: Gold can be found by defeating enemies or finding it around each Sector. Some sidequests also offer Gold as a reward. Gold can then be used in shops to buy upgrades or outfits.
• Zapfish: The main collectible of the game, with 12 being found in most Sectors (ten found scattered throughout the Sector, one earned by beating the Sector's boss, and one earned by finding all the Power Eggs in the Sector). The player needs to collect a certain amount of Zapfish in order to enter the next Sector. There are a total of 124 Zapfish to collect in the entire game.
• Power Eggs: Twenty Power Eggs can be found throughout every Sector. Collecting each one will unlock both one of the Sector's Zapfish and give Gary a new Vocal Ability once he talks to Sephalow. Unlike Zapfish, Power Eggs are not necessary to beat the game. There are a total of 140 Power Eggs to collect in the entire game.
• Outfits: Three outfits are found in each of the first seven sectors, with more being available through Inkopolis' shop. Gary can wear the outfits that he finds, although these are merely cosmetic changes and have no bearing on gameplay. There are a total of 38 outfits to unlock.

The main objective of each Sector is to gather enough Zapfish and defeat the Sector's boss, which will then open the next Sector. On top of the collectibles, each Sector also includes various enemies which can damage Gary. Should he take enough damage, he will be splatted and respawn at his latest Squid Beakon, at the cost of some Gold.

In terms of abilities, Gary is capable of the same ink-based abilities Inklings wield in the main Splatoon series, including making use of a squid form and using sub weapons. He also utilizes a N-Zap '89 in battle, but this and his sub weapons are tied to an Ink Meter, which drains as he uses them. Gary can recover ink through various Ink Charging Stations found throughout the Sectors and through puddles of his own Ink, but he is nearly powerless should he be completely dry on ink. Gary also gains access to several Vocal Abilities, allowing him to use his supersonic voice for various attacks. Gary can have one sub weapon and two Vocal Abilities equipped at any given time, being able to swap them through Sephalow. In addition, Gary can also upgrade his stats with Gold, with each stat having five tiers:

• Health: Increases Gary's durability.
• Speed: Increases Gary's dash speed.
• Attack: Increases the strength of Gary's ink-based attacks.
• Vocal Power: Increases the strength of Gary's Vocal Abilities.
• Ink Capacity: Increases the capacity of Gary's Ink Meter.

Controls

Movement
	Walk/Swim Gary walks (if on land) or swims (if in ink) in the given direction. While walking, Gary can fire his N-Zap '89.
+	Dash/Swim Gary dashes (if on land) or swims quickly (if in ink) in the given direction. While Gary's dash speed is much greater than his walking speed, he cannot attack while dashing.
	Look Up / Enter Room / Talk Gary looks up, which causes the camera to pan upwards if held. If Gary's in front of a door or NPC, he will instead enter the room or talk to the NPC respectively.
	Crouch / Enter Ink Gary crouches, which allows him to dodge attacks and causes the camera to pan downwards if held. If Gary's standing on his ink, however, he will instead transform into a squid and enter it, refilling his Ink Meter.
	Jump Gary jumps, being able to fire his N-Zap '89 and use some Vocal Abilities while airborne. If in ink or an Inkrail, Gary will leap out of it while reverting to his humanoid form.
+	High Jump After charging, Gary performs a high leap into the air. While this jump is higher than his normal one, he cannot attack until he touches the ground or is hit.
Attacks
	Fire N-Zap '89 Gary fires his N-Zap '89, slowly draining his Ink Meter while firing ink bullets in a held direction. Gary can walk and jump while firing.
	Use Sub Weapon Gary uses his current sub weapon, which drains his Ink Meter by the respective amount. Gary cannot use sub weapons if he doesn't have the required amount of ink.
	Use Vocal Ability Gary uses his current Vocal Ability.
	Toggle Vocal Ability Gary toggles his current Vocal Ability with the other equipped one.
Misc.
	Pause The game is paused, allowing the player to alter their options, save the game, or quit to the main menu.
	Open/Close Map/Music Player The map is opened, allowing the player to see a map of the current sector, as well as a tally of the Zapfish and Golden Eggs they have found in that sector, as well as an overview of all sectors they've entered. The Octo Odyssey Update adds a Music Player to this menu, allowing the player to override the current music with any song which they've encountered in-game. A selection of songs from both Splatoon and Splatoon 2 can also be unlocked via collecting Zapfish.

Characters

Gary	Gary Doyle is a young citizen of Inkopolis who is shy and somewhat reserved, if a bit excitable. However, he is distinguishable from other Inklings by his bright red ink and ability to release sonic screams. After being dragged into the Octarians' homeland, he'll need to muster the courage to make it out alive. Gary is the game's singular playable character.
Sephalow	Sephalow is an older Octarian who has become discontent with DJ Octavio's ruling of his homeland. He had been gathering a small army of rebelling Octarians before he met Gary. Seeing potential within the Inkling, he recruits him to the cause... Even if he makes it very clear when Gary's annoying him. Sephalow serves as the game's central NPC and overall guide along Gary's journey. He can be found at the entrance of each Sector, and he will occasionally communicate with Gary via the radio to give tips or warnings as he progresses. He also serves as the shopkeeper in areas outside of Inkopolis.
DJ Octavio	DJ Octavio is the villainous leader of the Octarians who is hellbent on taking the Great Zapfish to power his land. After the accidental "kidnapping" of Gary, he realizes that he can use his sound energy to power the city and orders his troops to capture the Inkling and bring them to him. DJ Octavio serves as the game's main antagonist and final boss. Although he is primarily only seen in cutscenes, he can finally be fought in Cephalon HQ.
Octarians	The Octarians are a species of octopus-like creatures who live under the rule of DJ Octavio. While the majority of them work as part of the evil ruler's army, a few have defected from the DJ and joined Sephalow's resistance. The Octarians mainly serve as enemies in the game, being found in all Sectors. However, a few Octarians, who have joined Sephalow's cause, do appear as NPCs which Gary can talk to and accept side-quests from.
Jellyfish	The Jellyfish are a common species in Inkopolis, although the majority of them cannot speak the same language as the Inklings. Not much is known about them, but they appear to be docile. The Jellyfish make their first appearance in Maritime Mines, working as enslaved miners by the Octarians. They will later disappear from the area once Gary defeats the boss of the Sector, only to make a full return in Inkopolis.
Jelonzo	Jelonzo is a jellyfish which has the unique ability of being able to speak the Inklings' language. He runs Jelly Fresh, one of Inkopolis' top clothing stores. Jelonzo reprises his role as a shopkeeper from past Splatoon titles as he sets up shop in Inkopolis, although he sells hats and shoes alongside clothing in Gary's Inktastic Journey. His wares include clothing that the player did not find in past Sectors and unique outfits exclusive to Inkopolis.
Squid Sisters	The Squid Sisters, consisting of Callie and Marie, are a popular idol duo hailing from Inkopolis and the former hosts of Inkopolis News. While Callie is cheerful and perky, Marie's more sarcastic and dry. However, there's no denying these cousins make a great team! The Squid Sisters appear as NPCs in Inkopolis who congratulate Gary on defeating DJ Octavio. They both then offer a side mission to Gary, rewarding him with a special outfit for completing them. They also appear as the final opponents of Krill Karaoke.
Off the Hook	Off the Hook, consisting of Pearl and Marina, are a newer idol duo and the current hosts of Inkopolis News. Pearl is the loud and sassy MC, while Marina's the timid and reserved DJ. With their skills combined, this duo has been tearing up the charts! Off the Hook can be found in the Inkopolis News building, waving at Gary when he looks through the window. They also appear as the penultimate opponents of Krill Karaoke.
Tenka	Tenka is an adventurous Octoling with a snarky streak, often seeking out new things to do or people to meet. Upon hearing about an Inkling running through the Ocarian homeland, her curiosity got the better of her, causing her to seek him out. Added in the Octo Odyssey Update, Tenka appears in every sector upon the defeat of its boss (aside from Inkopolis, where she is present by default), challenging Gary to various missions in exchange for Zapfish. She also appears as the second opponent of Krill Karaoke.

Sectors

The game contains eight different Sectors, which serve as the main areas of the game. Most Sectors have 12 Zapfish, 20 Golden Eggs, and three outfits to find. Each Sector also has various Squid Beakons, which act as checkpoints which Gary can make use of at will. In order to access Sectors, Gary must find a certain number of Zapfish throughout all of the previous Sectors, as well as defeating each boss. The sole exception to this is Cephalon HQ, where Gary only needs to defeat DJ Octavio to gain access to Inkopolis.

Upon the defeat of each sector's boss, Tenka will appear and offer three missions to Gary, each offering an extra Zapfish to collect. The only exception to this is Inkopolis, where she appears automatically due to the lack of a boss.

• Foot Race: Tenka challenges Gary to a race from one point of the sector to another. Tenka has the same abilities as Gary (sans the Vocal Abilities), and can create ink puddles which slow him down.
• Hide & Seek: Tenka Super Jumps off to another area in the sector, requiring Gary to track her down in a given time limit. Clues are offered in the form of blue puddles, which can lead to Tenka's location.
• Octarian Rush: Tenka alerts the Octarians of Gary's location, which increases the amount of enemies that spawn for a short time. If Gary can survive without getting splatted during the rush period, he earns the mission's Zapfish.

Anemone Abyss 0 Zapfish Required	Anemone Abyss is where Gary lands after being thrown off the Octarian ship, and the first Sector of the game. The area is rather murky and lies at the lowest level of the Octarians' homeland, leaving the small makeshift town in heavy disrepair. It serves as a tutorial for the main mechanics of the game, being smaller than the other Sectors. However, it still has the same number of collectibles as the other sectors, although its smaller size makes them somewhat easier to collect. Sub Weapon: Burst Bomb | Vocal Ability: Super Shot
Ragged Rim 8 Zapfish Required	Rugged Rim is a mountainous area, with the remainder of the Octarian homeland being at its summit. As such, the Sector relies on platforming much more than other sectors, although there are various rest areas with more uniform fighting/puzzle mechanics. Sub Weapon: Splash Wall | Vocal Ability: Scatter Shout
The Inkrailway 16 Zapfish Required	The Inkrailway is a series of "islands" connected by Inkrails, which are introduced in this Sector. A good chunk of travel is done with these Inkrails, although there are still more standard areas with platforming and enemies to fight. Sub Weapon: Curling Bomb | Vocal Ability: Wailing Waves
Grimy Gorge 24 Zapfish Required	Grimy Gorge is a large area set over a waterfall, and serves as a lookout point for the Octarian army. The Sector introduces water as a dangerous hazard, rapidly damaging Gary while submerged in it. Sub Weapon: Suction Bomb | Vocal Ability: Scoping Screech
Maritime Mines 30 Zapfish Required	The Maritime Mines are a large network of tunnels deep underneath Cephalon HQ where many Octarian troops patrol the area and mine resources for DJ Octavio's schemes. The Sector consists of large open areas connected by narrow tunnels. Minecart tracks and dynamite are also common stage elements, being used for travel and opening up new areas respectively. Sub Weapon: Ink Mine | Vocal Ability: Sonic Shaker
Cephalocity 36 Zapfish Required	Cephalocity is the penultimate Sector, being a large city surrounding Cephalon HQ. It is evident that the area is trying to resemble Inkopolis, but it is considerably darker and in more disrepair than the Inkling's home city, having a 60's-70's vibe to it. Sub Weapon: Sprinkler | Vocal Ability: Booyah Burst
Cephalon HQ 42 Zapfish Required	Cephalon HQ is the final Sector of the game, and resembles the area of the same name from Splatoon 2. It serves as DJ Octavio's base of operations, and as such, is infested with Octarians. It is the hardest "main" Sector of the game. Sub Weapon: Autobomb | Vocal Ability: Cacophonic Cry
Inkopolis No Zapfish requirement; must defeat DJ Octavio.	Inkopolis, which resembles its appearance in Splatoon 2 is considered a "bonus" Sector. There are no Subweapons or Vocal Abilities to unlock, but there are still 40 Zapfish and many outfits which can be found and purchased.

Enemies

A variety of enemies can be found within the game.

Octotrooper	The Octotrooper is a common enemy who makes its first appearance in Anemone Abyss. Initially wandering around aimlessly, they will eventually begin to shoot at Gary once he comes within range. However, they don't have high health and can be taken out rather easily. Starting in Maritime Mines, a shielded variant of the Octotrooper is introduced which reduces damages from attacks at its front.
Octocopter	The Octocopter, which makes its first appearance in Anemone Abyss, is a flying enemy which shoots ink at Gary from above. However, it is only as durable as an Octotrooper. Starting in Ragged Rim, a Deluxe variant of the Octocopter is introduced which can dash forwards or backwards to dodge attacks.
Twintacle Octotrooper	The Twintacle Octotrooper makes its first appearance in Ragged Rim, and behaves very similarly to the standard Octotrooper. However, rather than firing a single shot of ink, the Twintacle Octotrooper rapidly fires shots at Gary before stopping to reload. Starting in Cephalon HQ, a shielded variant of the Twintacle Octotrooper is introduced which reduces damages from attacks at its front.
Tentakook	The Tentakook, which makes its first appearance in the Inkrailway, skates around while leaving behind an ink trail. If one is attacked by Gary, they will run away while throwing Splat Bombs behind them.
Octostamp	The Octostamp, which makes its first appearance in the Inkrailway, usually does not move. However, upon spotting Gary, it will perform a jump before slamming face-first into the ground, creating a puddle of ink. Being crushed by the Octostamp itself will result in Gary being instantly splatted. The Octostamp has very high health.
Octodiver	The Octodiver, which makes its first appearance in Grimy Gorge, lingers in enemy ink, popping out of it to shoot at Gary once he approaches. It has the same health as the Octotrooper, but is harder to hit due to its lack of exposure.
Octosniper	The Octosniper, which makes its first appearance in Grimy Gorge, remains on a platform as it tries to shoot Gary with short, yet powerful blasts of ink. It has relatively high health.
Octobomber	The Octobober, which makes its first appearance in Maritime Mines, hovers overhead to spit Ink Bombs at Gary which explode after hitting the ground. They can take lots of damage before being splatted. Starting in Cephalon HQ, a Deluxe variant of the Octobomber is introduced which can dash forwards or backwards to dodge attacks.
Octoball	The Octoball, which makes its first appearance in Maritime Mines, rolls forwards while leaving enemy ink behind it. While it cannot be destroyed by Gary, ink-based attacks or Vocal Abilities can launch it (with the exception of the Cacophonic Cry).
Octoling	The Octoling, which makes its first appearance in Cephalocity, will use either a Blaster, Roller, or Slosher in order to take Gary out. Blaster Octolings move around while firing, Roller Octolings charge at Gary, and Slosher Octolings try to get up close before using their Slosher to perform a deadly attack. Each Octoling has about the same health as Gary himself. Starting in Cephalon HQ, an Elite variant of the Octoling is introduced, which has slightly higher health than the average Octoling.
Octocommander	The Octocommander, which makes its first appearance in Cephalon HQ, remains on a platform while firing rapid-fire shots of ink at Gary. It has high health, making it difficult to take out.
Octostriker	The Octostriker, which makes its first appearance in Cephalon HQ, appears in the background while piloting a UFO, which it uses to fire Inkstrikes at Gary. Unlike most of the other enemies, it cannot be splatted.

Bosses

Each of the Sectors (sans Inkopolis) has a boss fight located somewhere within it. On top of finding the proper amount of Zapfish, the Sector's boss must be defeated in order to gain access to the next.

Octozeppelin (Anemone Abyss)	The Octozepplin is the boss of Anemone Abyss, being fought at the exit of the Sector. The Octozepplin hovers in the background and deploys both Octotroopers and Octocopters as its primary means of attack. The weak spot of the Octozepplin is the tentacle at its top, which Gary can attack after scaling the platforms leading to it. Each time Gary drains a third of its health, the Octozepplin launches him back down to the lowest platform to restart the climb again. After three repetitions of this pattern, the Octozepplin is defeated and drops its Zapfish.
Octo Shower (Ragged Rim)	The Octo Shower is the boss of Ragged Rim, being fought on a mountaintop near the top-center of the Sector. Its primary means of attack are firing Octorpedoes at Gary, which home in on him before exploding, and firing a Splat Charger attack at him. The Octo Shower is carried by four Octocopters, each of which must be defeated in order to destroy the Octo Shower. While these Octocopters do not attack, dodging the Octo Shower's attacks is still a necessity. As the Octocopters are defeated, the Octo Shower's attacks become more frantic and quick, with it summoning Deluxe Octocopters after only one normal Octocopter remains. After all four Octocopters are defeated, the Octo Shower falls off the mountain, being destroyed and dropping its Zapfish.
Octo Samurai (The Inkrailway)	The Octo Samurai is the boss of the Inkrailway, being fought one a singular platform hovering over an abyss. His attacks mainly revolve around the use of his Octocycle, using it in an attempt to run into Gary or use the roller attachment as a melee weapon or to fling ink across the arena. After an Octocycle charge, it reveals its weak spot in the form of a tentacle, allowing Gary to attack it. However, the boss fight is not complete once the Octocycle is destroyed; Rather, the Octo Samurai will attempt to charge at Gary and knock him into the abyss, which is an instant death. The player must knock the Octo Samurai into the abyss, which defeats him and releases his Zapfish.
Octonozzle (Grimy Gorge)	The Octonozzle is the boss of Grimy Gorge, being fought in an underground cavern hidden behind a waterfall (which must first be drained in order to gain access to the cave). During the battle, the Octonozzle looms in the background of the area, firing balls of ink at Gary while occasionally summoning Octosnipers. The Octonozzle's weak point is located at its head, which Gary must attack in order to damage it. For every 20% of the Octonozzle's health that is depleted, it grows in height, requiring Gary to scale platforms in order to reach the top again. In addition, the Octonozzle begins spraying ink itself once it is below 40% of its health. Once the Octonozzle is fully defeated, Gary gains its Zapfish.
Octomaw (Maritime Mines)	The Octomaw is the boss of Maritime Mines, being fought in a darkened cavern. Three kettles lurk in the background, from which the Octomaw will spring into the foreground. Once in the foreground, it will pursue Gary in an attempt at biting him for a short time before returning to one of the kettles. Theoretically, the Octomaw's simple attack pattern makes it an easy boss to conquer. However, its great attack power makes it among the most dangerous. This, on top of its weak spot being within its mouth, makes it a worthy foe. Regardless, it will drop a Zapfish upon defeat.
Octowhirl (Cephalocity)	The Octowhirl is the boss of Cephalocity, being fought on top of a large skyscraper. The Octowhirl rolls wildly around the arena, occasionally stopping to generate a large puddle of ink. While it is stopped, Gary can attack the Octowhirl's tentacle, but coming too close while doing so will result in the Octowhirl emitting a loud scream which launches him. The Octowhirl's speed also gradually increases as Gary damages it. Once the Octowhirl is defeated, it explodes and releases its Zapfish.
DJ Octavio (Cephalon HQ)	DJ Octavio serves as the final boss of the game, being fought in Cephalon HQ. Uniquely, his battle features two phases. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 1 features DJ Octavio in the Octobot King as it looms in the background, having a variety of attacks he throws at Gary throughout the battle: DJ Octavio can fire Octotorpedoes at Gary, which home in on him before exploding. DJ Octavio can deploy small disco balls which spawn a Shielded Twintacle Octotrooper, a Deluxe Octobomber, or a Octocommander upon hitting the ground. DJ Octavio can fire a large blast from a Killer Wail, which is easily telegraphed but does major damage. DJ Octavio can throw a large punch from one of the mech's golden fists. This attack leaves DJ Octavio open for a moment, allowing Gary to attack the fists to damage the mech. This is the only way to damage DJ Octavio. After Phase 1 is completed, DJ Octavio uses the Octobot King's fist to launch Gary to a separate area of Cephalon HQ, where Phase 2 begins. DJ Octavio's attack pattern is very much the same as Phase 1 (minus the punch attack), but the goal is different; Instead of directly damaging DJ Octavio, Gary must make his way through a platforming gauntlet swarming with enemies in order to reach a Killer Wail at the end. Once Gary reaches the Killer Wail, he uses it in combination with his voice to deal the finishing blow to the Octobot King, defeating DJ Octavio and ending the boss fight.

Sub Weapons/Vocal Abilities

Sub Weapons

Sub Weapons are an alternate method of ink-based attack which Gary can utilize. Unlike Vocal Abilities, which Gary unlocks through Power Eggs, new sub weapons must be purchased through the shop. Gary can have one sub weapon equipped at a time.

Splat Bomb	The Splat Bomb is Gary's default sub weapon which he starts the game with. He throws it forwards, remaining where it lands for a moment before exploding. It costs 15% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: N/A
Burst Bomb	The Burst Bomb has better range than the Splat Bomb and can bounce along the ground, but its explosion deals less damage. It costs 10% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: Anemone Abyss
Splash Wall	The Splash Wall stays in place when deployed, creating a wall of ink which damages enemies and can replenish Gary's Ink Meter. It costs 25% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: Ragged Rim
Curling Bomb	The Curling Bomb is slid across the ground, moving quickly and detonating when it comes in contact witha wall or enemy. It costs 20% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: The Inkrailway
Suction Bomb	The Suction Bomb has less range than the Splat Bomb, but can adhere to walls and ceilings before exploding. It costs 20% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: Grimy Gorge
Ink Mine	The Ink Mine is laid in Gary's current position, detonating when an enemy comes close to it. It costs 15% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: Maritime Mines
Sprinkler	The Sprinkler is laid in Gary's current position, spraying ink in all directions for a short time. It costs 25% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: Cephalocity
Autobomb	The Autobomb is deployed in front of Gary and waddles towards the nearest enemy, at which point it will explode. It costs 20% of a Tier 1 Ink Meter to use. Available starting in: Cephalon HQ

Vocal Abilities

Gary can have two Vocal Abilities equipped at any given time, being able to swap between them with the L button. New Vocal Abilities can be acquired by collecting all the Power Eggs in a given sector, with Gary gaining one per each full collection.

Vocal Shot	The Vocal Shot is Gary's default Vocal Ability. He lets out a brief yell which causes a relatively small soundwave to fly forwards for a fair distance. While the shot deals low damage, the cooldown period is very short. Unlocked in: N/A
Super Shot	The Super Shot is very similar to the Vocal Shot, trading the speed of the charge-up and cooldown, which are slightly slower, for increasing the soundwave's size and power. Unlocked in: Anemone Abyss
Scatter Shout	Using Scatter Shout fires three soundwaves with size and strength comparable to the Vocal Shot, with one going straight forwards and the others flying at mirroring angles. The attack has a considerable cooldown time. Unlocked in: Ragged Rim
Wailing Waves	Using Wailing Waves causes a stream of soundwaves to fly forwards, causing the attack to overall deal more damage. However, the charging time and cooldown time are considerably longer than average. Unlocked in: The Inkrailway
Scoping Screech	Using Scoping Screech causes a thin stream of soundwaves, but the attack has high power to make up for its width. The charging and cooldown time is about the same as Wailing Waves. Unlocked in: Grimy Gorge
Sonic Shaker	Using Sonic Shaker causes a stream of soundwaves very similar to Wailing Waves, but instead of dealing as much damage to the target, it temporarily stuns them. The cooldown time is slightly longer than Wailing Waves to compensate. Unlocked in: Maritime Mines
Booyah Burst	Using Booyah Burst causes a large "explosion" of sound in front of Gary, dealing heavy damage and launching nearby enemies. However, it has a lengthy charge-up and cooldown time. Unlocked in: Cephalocity
Cacophonic Cry	After the lengthy charge time (the longest out of all the Vocal Abilities), Gary lets out a shout which stuns all enemies on-screen, as well as knocking airborne ones to the ground. The cooldown time is also the longest out of all the Vocal Abilities. Unlocked in: Cephalon HQ

Outfits

Gary can find and purchase many different kinds of outfits throughout the Sectors. These are merely cosmetic changes, and do not alter Gary's stats in any way.

Default/Free Outfits

These outfits are available from the start of the game, including outfits which were added for special events or promotions.

Outfit Name	Outfit Description	Notes
Retro Sweat	Gary wears a Retro Sweat and no headgear.	The Retro Sweat is Gary's default outfit.
Zekko Hoodie	Gary wears a Zekko Hoodie and no headgear.	The Zekko Hoodie was initially a pre-order bonus item before being properly added to the game as free content in a patch.
Ghost Gary	Gary wears a white cloth over himself, resembling a ghost. The outfit also changes his ink color to a light blue.	The Ghost Gary outfit was added as part of a free patch celebrating Halloween 2021.
Merry Gary	Gary wears a dark red sweater and a green scarf. The outfit also changes his ink color to green.	The Merry Gary outfit was added as part of a free patch celebrating Christmas 2021.

Collectible Outfits

Three collectible outfits can be found throughout the game's first seven sectors, and each becomes available for purchase once Inkopolis is unlocked.

Outfit Name	Outfit Description	Found In
Explorer Outfit	Gary wears a safari coat and hat.	Anemone Abyss
Octarian Disguise	Gary wears an Octotrooper disguise, with his head being visible through the mouth.	Anemone Abyss
Plumber's Overalls	Gary wears a red shirt, blue overalls, and a red hat, resembling Mario.	Anemone Abyss
Life Vest	Gary wears an orange life vest.	Ragged Rim
Armor Replica	Gary wears the Armor Replica.	Ragged Rim
Sailor Outfit	Gary wears a sailor's outfit, being a white shirt and cap.	Ragged Rim
Black V-Neck Tee	Gary wears the Black V-Neck Tee, complete with gloves.	The Inkrailway
Mountain Vest	Gary wears the Mountain Vest.	The Inkrailway
Time-Honored Hero Outfit	Gary wears a green tunic and cap, resembling Link.	The Inkrailway
Chilly Mountain Coat	Gary wears the Chilly Mountain Coat.	Grimy Gorge
Rainy-Day Tee	Gary wears the Rainy-Day Tee.	Grimy Gorge
Khaki 16-Bit FishFry	Gary wears the Khaki 16-Bit FishFry.	Grimy Gorge
Steel Platemail	Gary wears the Steel Platemail.	Maritime Mines
Negative Longcuff Sweater	Gary wears the Negative Longcuff Sweater.	Maritime Mines
Lumberjack Shirt	Gary wears the Lumberjack Shirt.	Maritime Mines
Pearlescent Outfit	Gary wears the Pearlescent Outfit, resembling Pearl's appearance in Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion.	Cephalocity
Marinated Outfit	Gary wears the Marinated Outfit, resembling Marina's appearance in Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion.	Cephalocity
Neo Octoling Armor	Gary wears the Neo Octoling Armor.	Cephalocity
Hero Suit Replica	Gary wears the Hero Suit Replica.	Cephalon HQ
Squinja Suit	Gary wears the Squinja Suit, resembling a ninja.	Cephalon HQ
Power Armor Mk I	Gary wears the Power Armor Mk I.	Cephalon HQ

Jelonzo's Wares

These outfits can only be purchased through Jelonzo.

Outfit Name	Outfit Description
Aloha Shirt	Gary wears the Aloha Shirt.
Anchor Sweat	Gary wears the Anchor Sweat.
Baseball Jersey	Gary wears the Baseball Jersey.
Bubblegum Jacket	Gary wears a purple jacket and changes his ink color to purple, resembling Chewout from Project Cape.
Chirpy Chips Band Tee	Gary wears the Chirpy Chips Band Tee.
Hero Hoodie Replica	Gary wears the Hero Hoodie Replica.
Retro Gamer Jersey	Gary wears the Retro Gamer Jersey.
Splatfest Tee	Gary wears the Splatfest Tee.
Takoroka Crazy Baseball LS	Gary wears the Takoroka Crazy Baseball LS.
White Tee	Gary wears the White Tee and switches his ink color to blue, resembling the "default" Inkling Boy seen in promotional material for Splatoon.

Other

These outfits must be unlocked through meeting the proper criteria.

Outfit Name	Outfit Description	Unlock Method
Agent 1's Outfit	Gary wears Callie's Agent outfit.	Complete Callie's mission in Inkopolis.
Agent 2's Outfit	Gary wears Marie's Agent outfit.	Complete Marie's mission in Inkopolis.
Squid Hat	Gary wears a hat resembling an Inkling's squid form.	Complete Inkling Girl's album in Krill Karaoke.
Tenka's Outfit	Gary wears a t-shirt with a fish skeleton on it and black sweatpants.	Complete Tenka's album in Krill Karaoke.
Scout Outfit	Gary wears a camoflauge tee and black glasses.	Complete Sephalow's album in Krill Karaoke.
Off the Hook Fan Outfit	Gary wears a pink tee with Pearl's symbol on it and a pair of headphones featuring Marina's symbol.	Complete Off the Hook's album in Krill Karaoke.
Squid Sisters Fan Outfit	Gary wears a green tee with a pink beret resembling Callie's.	Complete the Squid Sisters' album in Krill Karaoke.
Jumpy Jumper	Gary wears a green sweater with a spring icon on it and platform shoes.	Earn the high score in Squid Jump.
Racing Outfit	Gary wears a race car driver's jumpsuit, complete with a helmet.	Complete every track in Squid Racer.
Ballin' Outfit	Gary wears a basketball jersey.	Earn the high score in Squidball.
Golden Outfit	Gary wears a yellow sweater and dons yellow ink.	100% complete Gary's Inktastic Journey. This involves finding all the Zapfish and Golden Eggs, as well as unlocking every outfit.

Inkopolis Happenings

Inkopolis Happenings are a feature added in the Octo Odyssey Update, and are unlocked once the player gains access to Inkopolis. To access them, the player must speak to Judd in Inkopolis, who will offer various minigames for the player to partake in.

Krill Karaoke

Krill Karaoke is a rhythm-based minigame in which the player must time button presses to the beat of a song, similarly to the Squid Beats minigame found in previous Splatoon titles. This causes Gary to sing along to the song playing, with the objective being to reach the point criteria before the song ends. Points are scored with each button pressed, with the value depending on how accurate the timing of the press is.

• Offkey: 0 points
• Almost...: 1 point
• Good: 2 points
• Great: 3 points
• Fresh!: 5 points

There are five "albums" for the player to partake in, each featuring a new opponent who competes with Gary and three music tracks. Completing an album unlocks a new outfit for Gary to wear.

Inkling Girl	Splattack! (Splatoon) Seascape (Splatoon) Inkoming! (Splatoon 2)
Tenka	Eight-Legged Advance (Splatoon) Cephalon HQ (Gary's Inktastic Journey) Inkrailway Remix (Gary's Inktastic Journey)
Sephalow	Anemone Abyss Remix (Gary's Inktastic Journey) Cephalocity (Gary's Inktastic Journey) Inktastic Medley (Gary's Inkastic Journey)
Off the Hook	Ebb and Flow (Splatoon 2) Color Pulse (Splatoon 2) Fly Octo Fly (Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion)
Squid Sisters	Bomb Rush Blush (Splatoon) Tide Goes Out (Splatoon) Calamri Inkantation (Splatoon)

Arcade Games

A variety of arcade games can be played through Inkopolis Happenings, each featuring a high score system. By beating the game's top score, Gary unlocks that game's outfit. Each of the games is a remake of arcade games found in Splatoon.

• Squid Jump: Squid Jump is a platform game in which a squid must jump upwards among various platforms without falling into the rising ink below. As the player progresses in the game, different types of platforms appear, including slippery ones and conveyor belts.
• Squid Racer: Squid Racer is an overhead racing game in which the player races against various jellyfish, using the control stick to steer and A button to accelerate. In addition to speed boosts found along the track, the player can also collect a Zapfish which allows them to temporarily stun the jellyfish. Instead of a traditional high score system, the player unlocks the game's outfit by completing each of the thirty tracks available while meeting certain time requirements in each.
• Squidball: Squidball is a game in which the player must bounce a ball over a net so that it reaches a jellyfish on the other side, which serves it back to the player. The objective is to get a high rally while avoiding obstacles.

Trivia

• Gary's Inktastic Journey was originally going to be called Splatoon Field-Ops and would focus on more linear gameplay involving a story with the Salmonoids. This was scrapped in order to make a more unique experience for the series, eventually reworking the game to star Gary in his first major role.
• Gary's Inktastic Journey was heavily inspired by Super Mario 63, a Mario fan game which is also a 2D collectathon. Other inspirations include Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Country, and Conker's Bad Fur Day.
• The game's ending is a slight reference to Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion, which inspired the creation of Gary and got Faz interested in Splatoon.
• There is a scrapped Vocal Ability called the Sonic Sendoff, which would have given Gary a double jump ability. This was scrapped for unknown reasons.
• A Salmon Run gamemode was originally planned as an Inkopolis Happening event, but was scrapped due to the conventions of Salmon Run not fitting in with the game's general gameplay.

Games Super Smash Bros. Unbounded | CrossClash | Project Cape | Gary's Inktastic Journey | Project Cape Rumble | CrossClash II | Super Mario Bros. Rewarped | Beatdown Town | Minecraft vs. Roblox: Dawn of Time Characters Project Cape Adam Edwards (Afterthought) | Aerolynn Wynn (Gustice) | Alyssa Vance (Shrill) | Amanda Ross (Rose) | Carly Nicholson (Citra) | Emily Palmer (Starlet) | Gabriella Brooks (Chewout) | Hannah Reller (Heartbeat) | Jackie Wilson (Candycurl) | Lexxi Anderson (Kickstart) | Phoebe Daryl (Shutterbug) | Vanessa Analor (Viper) | Mia Turner (Cellular) Other Gary | Yalp | Zoe Hayes Misc. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate x Five Nights at Freddy's | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate x Club Penguin