SpongeBob SquarePants The Cosmic Shake demonstrates many references to the show but fails due to dull combat.
After the success of SpongeBob SquarePants’ Battle for Bikini Bottom: Rehydrated, the THQ Nordic stream revealed that it had teamed again with Purple Lamp Studios for a cute platformer called SpongeBob SquarePants The Cosmic Shake. The game is a little simplistic but it improves on the problems that were holding down SpongeBob SquarePants – Battle for Bikini bottom-Rehydrated.
SpongeBob SquarePants, which has a lot of nostalgic references to the series and offers lighthearted gameplay, will be loved by die-hard SpongeBob enthusiasts. The game may not be the most complicated platformer but it could be used to introduce new gamers platforming.
Bikini Bottom is where SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Kassandra, a fortune-teller, start their journey. SpongeBob, Patrick, and their friends fail to read the fine print and the bubbles burst, taking them all to different Wishworlds. SpongeBob is responsible for rescuing his friends and restoring Bikini’s bottom to its normal state.
There are seven Wishworlds that you can explore, all based on the TV series. Prehistoric Kelp Forest and Halloween Rock Bottom are two of the more popular. Every time a player passes through a portal, they are assigned missions to accomplish to bring SpongeBob and his friends back. This pattern is repeated throughout the entire game, making the overall goal feel stale.
The game’s mechanics are easy and not too complicated, making it ideal for beginners in the platform genre. SpongeBob may use Pizza boxes as a glider. He will also use a seahorse for the faster-paced segments. Although the platforming is easy and simple, there are still some semi-complex combinations for players to master. For those looking for a more complicated game, this could be a disadvantage.
The final boss fights in each Wishworld are a great addition to the gameplay and make them stand out. Gigantic Gary from Halloween Rock Bottom takes players on a secret adventure while Prawn from Pirate Goo lagoon is more conventional and allows for dodge and attack bosses. Although these boss battles aren’t new in gaming, it is refreshing to see THQ Nordic & Purple Lamp Studios integrate modern ideas into the franchise.
You can find hidden doubloons all over Wishworlds, just like in other platformer games. You can use the doubloons for SpongeBob’s leveling up and to unlock 30 other costumes. Players will have to travel back in time to complete Wishworlds to find all of them. They are cosmetic and don’t provide any specialized abilities. However, they are fun mini-goals within each level.
The graphics and art style are crisp. It makes players feel like they are in a 3D TV series. While the Wishworlds don’t have as much intrigue as other platforms, they provide enough entertainment to keep players interested enough to make it to the boss. Although some Wishworlds don’t have as much detail, others are adorned with NPCs and decorations.
Combat is SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake‘s greatest weakness. You can easily eliminate most of the Jelly enemies by using SpongeBob’s Karate Kick, and Bubble Wand moves. Combat is usually slow, which makes fighting less exciting. Vertical levels and slides are great ways to get away from repetitive Jelly enemies.
The game’s cutscenes will keep SpongeBob enthusiasts engaged and help break up the monotony. They are vibrant, well-acted, and entertaining. It’s exciting to see an adaptation of a long-running TV show be able to work with its original cast. The voice lines can become monotonous, however. The game would not be as repetitive as it is without the cutscenes.
Side quests are available throughout the game. While the main story is entertaining, it’s not the only thing that interests players. These side quests encourage players not only to return to previous levels but also to place a strong emphasis on leaving no stone unturned. The side quests are just like the costumes and serve no purpose other than to keep the players engaged.
Overall SpongeBob SquarePants The Cosmic Shake is a solid game that will appeal to true fans of the TV show and introduce young gamers to the platforming world. Although its graphics and design are superior to SpongeBob SquarePants – Battle for Bikini bottom-Rehydrated, some gamers will find it frustrating that there isn’t more diversity in the Jelly enemies. The show’s endless references are worth checking out.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake will be available on January 30th on PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Game Rant was given a PS5 Code for this review.