SpongeBob SquarePants The Cosmic Shake highlights many references from the show and falters because of dull combat.

THQ Nordic has announced, during its 10th anniversary live stream, that it had teamed back with Purple Lamp Studios for a simple and cute platformer: SpongeBob SquarePants. While the game may seem a bit simple, it solves some of the problems that caused SpongeBob SquarePants to be unable to compete in Battle for Bikini Top-Rehydrated.

SpongeBob SquarePants will soon be a favorite of die-hard SpongeBob fan. This game is full of nostalgic references to SpongeBob’s series, as well as light-hearted gameplay. It may not be the most difficult platformer, but it could be a great way for new gamers to get started with platforming.

There are seven Wishworlds you can explore. They take inspiration from television series. Players are given the task of completing missions each time they traverse a new portal. This is done to help progress the world and bring SpongeBob home. It is a repetitive pattern that runs through the entire game. This makes the overall goal feel lackluster.

Bikini bottom is where SpongeBob SquarePants (Patrick Star) and Patrick Star start when they are sold mermaids tears that claim to grant any wish of Kassandra (a fortune-teller). SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick fail the test to understand the fine print. The bubbles then open a vortex that takes their friends to different Wishworlds. SpongeBob must rescue his friends to bring Bikini Top back to its normal self.

The game’s mechanics make it easy for new players to explore the platform genre. SpongeBob will use a pizza box as a glider. Occasionally, SpongeBob will use a seahorse or a seahorse when traversing the fast-paced segments. The platforming is very smooth, with some semi-complex combinations to keep the players challenged. People who seek a more challenging game may find this a problem.

The final boss battles in each Wishworld make the game unique and stand out. Gigantic Gary in Halloween Rock Bottom is one example. Prawn in Pirate Goo lagoon is another traditional dodge and attack boss. These types of boss battles might not be new to gaming but it is exciting to see THQ Nordic, Purple Lamp Studios and other franchises incorporate modern ideas.

As with most platformer games, there are tons of hidden items you can collect. For example, hidden doubloons can be found throughout every Wishworld. These doubloons can help SpongeBob level up and unlock thirty alternative costumes. However, players will need new skills and must travel back to previously completed Wishworlds. While the costumes do not add any specialized abilities, they are fun mini-goals within each level.

The artwork and graphics look great. They make the player feel like they are part of a 3D version. The Wishworlds might not be as engaging as other platformers, but they satisfy enough of the player’s curiosity to keep them interested long enough for them to reach their boss. Some Wishworlds are less detailed than others, while others are more elaborate and filled with NPCs.

Combat is SpongeBob SquarePants SquarePants: Cosmic Shake. SpongeBob can be used to spam the Bubble Wand and Karate Kick moves to take out most Jelly enemies. It is common for combat to be slow. This makes it difficult to enjoy the fights. For variety, vertical levels and slides can be a nice break from fighting the same Jelly enemy.

The game’s cutscenes help to break up the monotony and will keep SpongeBob lovers engaged. They are fun, colorful, well-acted, entertaining, and always funny. It’s great to see a videogame that was adapted from an old show work with the original cast. Unfortunately, repetitive voices can be annoying when you are singing the same lines over and over. The game would have been a monotonous collect and return without the cutscenes.

There are many side quests available that can be found throughout the game. These quests encourage players, not only to return to older levels but to also place an emphasis on the importance of leaving no stone unturned. However, side quests serve little purpose beyond keeping players engaged.

Overall SpongeBobsquarePants: Cosmic Shake provides a solid experience for those who love the TV series as well as a way to introduce youngsters to platforming. The graphics and design of the game are much better than SpongeBob SquarePants, Battle for Bikini Top-Rehydrated. However, some people will be disappointed by the lack of diversity in the Jelly enemies as Wishworld designs. It’s well worth the effort for all the references to the show.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake launches January 30th, on PS4, PCs, Nintendo Switches, and Xbox One. Game Rant was provided a PS5 key code for the purposes of this review.