I can’t emphasize enough how much the SpongeBob SquarePants brand means to me. It’s a cartoon that has been a large part of my formative years as a kid with the countless video games providing equal amounts of entertainment that have stuck with me years after. I still find myself quoting iconic lines from the show and enjoy looking back and seeing hidden themes that I was too young at the time to understand.
What can easily be dismissed as slapstick media headlined by a clueless protagonist that usually messes things up for everyone else is a show that has taught me how important kindness is and how valid being sad can be. It is both creatively and emotionally resonant for young children to enjoy and grown-ups to appreciate.
And if you can’t tell enough already, I was extremely excited for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake given that the developers, Purple Lamp, were the ones who handled the remastered version of one of the best 3D platformers ever made, SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom.
Spongebob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a vibrant and entertaining 3D platformer that is sure to bring a smile to fans of the series. With its vibrant visuals, quirky humor, and amusing characters, The Cosmic Shake does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the show and in some cases, enriches the experience for those who have grown up with it.
F. U. N. factor
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake begins with SpongeBob and Patrick going to Glove World to have a good ol’ best-friend day with each other. They meet Kassandra, a mermaid who sells mysterious trinkets. SpongeBob purchases a bubble soap that is said to grant wishes. Simple enough. The two best friends began running around and wishing almost anything for anyone. One too many wishes after the other and everyone is spread all throughout various multiverse versions. It’s up to SpongeBob and Patrick to fix the mess they made and save Bikini Bottom once again.
Right off the bat, the game wastes no time in making sure fans feel exactly at home. There are countless references left and right for keen observers to enjoy. Whether it be SpongeBob casually humming “The Krusty Krab pizza is the pizza for you and me!” every now and then, Pearl panicking abt not being able to go to a mall sale, and Mermaid Man’s Invisible Boat casually parked behind the home for the aged are just a couple of fun little details at the very first level.
Alternatively, if you aren’t exactly a long-time fan of the SpongeBob IP, there’s still a ton here left to enjoy and if anything, the extra details are able to communicate well enough what exactly you’re missing out: a jolly good time.
One of the standout features of The Cosmic Shake is its fantastic voice acting. All of the characters from the TV series are present, and they all sound just like their counterparts from the show. The dialogue is well-written, with plenty of humor and quips that are sure to bring a smile to players’ faces. The music is also great, with catchy and upbeat tunes that fit in perfectly with the game’s lighthearted and fun atmosphere.
A lot of the personality from the show shines all the way through in The Cosmic Shake. I often find myself smiling from ear to ear watching everyone interact with each other. From regular banter to cheeky side comments from Patrick (that barely makes any sense but somehow he makes it work). Purple Lamp somehow manages to make exposition a million times more entertaining. You can tell these guys are a fan of the source material and it is felt all throughout the experience.
F is for friends who do stuff together!
The multiverse concept enables Purple Lamp to have a little bit more fun with how certain factors are presented. While each of the characters are still very much true to their core personalities, the writers sprinkle in extra mannerisms based on the themes of a particular level. This keeps the experience somewhat fresh all the way to the end.
The visuals in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake are fantastic, with a vibrant and colorful art style. The linear levels are well-designed, with a variety of environments that open up a bit so that players can explore.
The animations are smooth and fluid, with a lot of attention paid to the small details. I would intentionally enter idle states to see how SpongeBob and Patrick move around when they’re bored.
The Cosmic Shake’s gameplay is simple, making it easy for players of all ages to pick up and play. Unfortunately, players can only control SpongeBob as he makes his way through each level, using his trusty spatula to defeat enemies, collect Cosmic Jelly, and explore off the beaten path. The controls work well enough, making it easy to navigate through the levels and perform all of the actions needed to progress.
However, there are on-rails “driving” moments that feel a little bit janky and floaty to control. While the lack of precision can get annoying, these sequences are brief enough for the most part.
In addition to the main campaign, The Cosmic Shake also features a number of mini-games and collectibles that players can lose themselves in. Cosmic Jelly, Golden Spatulas, and Golden Doubloons are scattered all throughout the levels.
An earlier part in the story communicates that collecting Cosmic Jelly is crucial to progression but in reality, they really have no other use other than to purchase skins for SpongeBob. All of which are throwbacks to iconic looks seen throughout the seasons and even the movie itself. They’re all purely cosmetic and I just love the fact that they can be earned in-game.
Final Verdict – 8/10
Overall, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a great game that is sure to be a hit with fans of the TV series. With its bright colors, fun gameplay, and entertaining storyline, it’s a game that players of all ages can enjoy. The tone perfectly captures everything that makes SpongeBob Squarepants such a great show and the voice acting is fantastic. If you’re looking for a fun and lighthearted game to play, look no further than Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake.
This review was made via a PS5 game code provided by the publisher.