SpongeBob - The Cosmic Shake review

Whether you're enjoying your favorite memes or revisiting beloved episodes, it's hard to ignore the influence of SpongeBob SquarePants. This cartoon character has become an iconic part of many lives, representing a haven of humor and goofiness. Given his energetic and bubbly personality, it's only natural to envision SpongeBob as the star of a vibrant platformer. While SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom from 2003 set a high bar, its spiritual successor, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, feels more like a lukewarm spin-off rather than a revolutionary upgrade.

Despite its nods to the charm of the beloved series, The Cosmic Shake is a platformer stuck painfully in time, lacking the innovation that modern-day equivalents bring to the table. Nevertheless, it delivers a whimsical journey filled with familiar faces and fantastical environments. Let's dive into the key aspects of the game to see where it soars and where it falters.

A Touch of Nostalgia

The Cosmic Shake immediately scores points with its nostalgic storyline. SpongeBob, in his quintessentially hapless manner, inadvertently tears the very fabric of Bikini Bottom apart, kicking off a multiverse adventure. Alongside a newly ballooned Patrick, SpongeBob must traverse different worlds to rescue his friends.

Players are treated to memorable episodes, including a prehistoric Bikini Bottom and the eerie Rock Bottom. The narrative might not break new ground, but it’s a pleasing trip down memory lane for long-time fans. The inclusion of characters such as Mr. Krabs and Pearl, each rendered in a unique setting like a Western bandit and a medieval princess, respectively, enhances the authenticity of the experience.

Charm with Familiar Voices

One of the standout features of The Cosmic Shake is the voice acting. Original actors reprise their roles, ensuring that the charm of the characters remains intact. Whether it's SpongeBob’s infectious optimism or the Flying Dutchman’s imposing presence, having these authentic voices adds a significant layer of enjoyment.

The witty one-liners and gags, reminiscent of the show, strike a chord with fans. Small nods, like the iconic “one hour later” French accent or the hyper-detailed gross-out close-ups, make the experience genuine and amusing.

A Stagnant Platforming Experience

However, where The Cosmic Shake falters significantly is its gameplay. It clings tightly to the formula established by Battle for Bikini Bottom 20 years ago and suffers greatly for it. The platforming elements are sadly run-of-the-mill, with simplistic jumping puzzles and repetitive combat.

While SpongeBob can double-jump, ground pound, glide using a pizza box, and attack with a bubble wand, these mechanics feel light and uninspired. The lack of challenge in jumping puzzles and combat grows tiresome quickly, and the game does little to escalate the difficulty or intrigue as you progress.

Monotonous Combat

The combat in The Cosmic Shake is particularly lackluster. Facing off against the same few enemy types repeatedly, who are easily dispatched, diminishes the excitement. Even the occasional boss battle doesn't rise above mediocrity despite its more grandeur presentation.

There's no sense of accomplishment or growth in abilities that would make these battles memorable. Instead, it's a monotonous cycle that fails to engage, making you long for the end of each combat segment.

Vivid Yet Unoriginal Environments

From a visual standpoint, The Cosmic Shake impresses with its colorful and imaginative renditions of SpongeBob’s world. Each realm you visit, from a pirate-themed setting to a Hollywood movie set, bursts with vibrant colors and charming details.

Unfortunately, these lovely environments feel wasted on uninspired gameplay. There’s a stark disconnection—while the worlds look fascinating, the lack of dynamic interaction prevents them from feeling truly alive and engaging.

Acceptable But Stagnant Controls

Mechanically, the controls are serviceable but nothing to write home about. Movement and abilities are straightforward, ensuring accessibility for younger audiences. However, they lack the depth and diversity seen in more advanced platformers like Psychonauts 2 or Super Mario Odyssey.

The depthless control scheme results in minimal references that require or reward mastery. Simple mechanics such as gliding across gaps or attacking enemies grow repetitive and dull after the first few hours.

Unimaginative Puzzles

Just as the combat fails to impress, so do the puzzles. The somewhat simplistic and repetitive nature of the platforming puzzles quickly becomes tedious. There's little to ignite curiosity or provide a satisfying challenge.

Even the rare special sequences, such as brief stealth sections or chase scenes, fail to distinguish themselves. These moments are fleeting and feel like a mere sprinkling of variety on an otherwise monotonous task list.

Short-lived Highlights

The only redeeming elements within the repetitiveness are the boss battles at the end of each level. Whether it's a martial artist, Sandy the Squirrel, or another iconic foe, these segments manage to momentarily rekindle interest.

However, even these highlights fail to break new ground in terms of gameplay. They merely serve as moderately entertaining interludes in an otherwise drab journey.

For Kids, But Even Kids Deserve Better

It’s clear that The Cosmic Shake is geared towards a younger audience. For a child unacquainted with more sophisticated platformers, the game retains some enjoyment factor. The familiar faces and simple mechanics might be enough.

However, when compared to child-friendly gems like Super Mario Odyssey, The Cosmic Shake pales significantly. Its lack of creativity and engagement likely means young gamers would quickly turn towards better alternatives.

Optional Exploration and Side Quests

The game does offer some extra content in the form of side quests and collectibles. While some of these provide new items for customization, the effort often results in more of the same unengaging gameplay.

Even revisiting areas with newly acquired abilities feels redundant. While occasionally hidden areas might pique interest, the incentive to explore wanes quickly due to the repetitive combat and uninspiring puzzles.

Conclusion

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake delivers nostalgic delight but fails to captivate with its gameplay. While the game stands strong in presenting a world filled with beloved characters and vibrant settings, it stumbles on the path to providing a truly entertaining platforming experience. The repetitive combat, uninspired puzzles, and lack of innovative mechanics make it hard to recommend, especially when there are far more engaging platformers available. The charm of SpongeBob might offer momentary amusement, but ultimately, The Cosmic Shake feels like an expedition bogged down by its own stagnation.