Growing up, like many other 90s babies, I found myself putting countless hours into the PlayStation 2. Perhaps one of the games I put the most time into was SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom. After many years of waiting, now into my adulthood, we have the spiritual successor; Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake.
In this review, we will give you a breakdown of why this deserves a play, especially if you are a fan of the classic Battle for Bikini Bottom.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Review
Overview
When the game originally came out, I was dubious having loved Battle for Bikini Bottom so much, but once it became free on PlayStation Plus I figured it was time to give it a go. Once I started up the game and got to run around for the first time, I immediately felt like I was put back in time with a fresh graphical update.
The classic Tiki heads are in abundance waiting to be destroyed with SpongeBob’s signature spinning combat move. Jumping and platforming puzzles waiting to be solved. The Cosmic Shake was truly a trip down memory lane but with a fresh story and fun twist on classic SpongeBob locations.
Story
The game opens with some classic SpongeBob and Patrick shenanigans. They come across a mysterious goods dealer named Madame Kassandra who gives the boys a vial of mermaid tears said to grant any wish they desire. At first, just SpongeBob and Patrick find themselves making silly wishes, next thing they know many of the classic SpongeBob characters begin making many wishes of their own.
They make so many wishes the fabric of time begins to rip causing chaos all around Bikini Bottom. Many of SpongeBob’s friends are sucked up into the void and left behind jelly-consuming Bikini Bottom and monsters.
SpongeBob and Patrick return to Madame Kassandra asking for help, she promises the boys she can send them to get their friends back in exchange for the cosmic jelly. Kassandra then makes SpongeBob his first costume, allowing him to travel through a portal to an alternate reality Western-style Jellyfish Fields.
Through the game, SpongeBob and balloon Patrick (he made a wish to become a balloon; naturally) will travel to many familiar SpongeBob locations with a new cosmic twist on them. The main objective of the game will be to rescue your friends from these locations and bring them home using a magic bubble wand.
The length of the main story is short. I was able to complete the story in just under 10 hours. I got this game for free, so it personally didn’t bother me too much, but if I paid full price for this, I could see that being a sour point. There is an end game, but unless you are a completionist collector type, there isn’t anything more to do.
Graphics
The graphics felt fresh yet nostalgic at the same time. The vibrant colors and detailed environments truly bring Bikini Bottom to life, making every area feel like a living, breathing part of the SpongeBob universe.
It felt like I was playing Battle for Bikini Bottom with a next-gen coat of paint.
For a game like this, I don’t think they could have chosen a better style to attract both new and classic audiences alike. The attention to detail in character designs and the various whimsical locations add a layer of charm that fans of the original will surely appreciate.
Audio
The sounds of the game made this feel like a SpongeBob adventure. The goofy ocean noises and fun music brought this gameplay together and helped create a fun and lighthearted experience. The voice acting is spot on, with Tom Kenny and the rest of the original cast reprising their roles, making the characters feel authentic.
The soundtrack complements the whimsical nature of the game, with catchy tunes that will have you humming along as you play. The audio effects, from the squishy sounds of jelly monsters to the satisfying crunch of destroying Tiki heads, enhance the overall immersive experience.
Gameplay
Platforming
The Cosmic Shake wouldn’t be a spiritual successor to Battle for Bikini Bottom without some classic 3D platforming gameplay. The Cosmic Shake allows you to be mobile through several fun gameplay mechanics. As you advance through the game, you will be required to glide, jump, swing, kick, and fly your way through countless platforming challenges.
This game was developed with a younger audience in mind, so nothing will ever be too unforgiving, but there are certainly some challenging spots that may take a few attempts as you progress.
Compared to Battle for Bikini Bottom, the game does hold your hand a bit after making an error, often spawning you partway through a platforming area rather than making you start over again.
I understand this was likely for the younger gaming audience that will be playing, but a greater level of challenge would have been welcomed. Then again, my generation was brought up on many frustratingly unforgiving games of the PS2 era, and I may need to adapt to the times.
Combat
The combat in the game is limited in terms of your move set. Throughout the game, you will only find yourself using the basic swing attack and flying kicks for the most part. Depending on the enemy you can mix in a bubble throw or two, but I never really found that necessary.
Despite the limited move set, the combat is still a blast, even if I wish there were more combinations at my disposal. This is due largely in part to the enemies you will fight. By the end of the game, you will be fighting everything from the basic goo monster to large hulking worm beasts.
Each zone you enter will almost always have a new enemy introduced keeping combat fresh from an enemy perspective. If it wasn’t for the diverse array of enemies, the combat could have been a swing and a miss, but they do keep the game feeling fresh.
One of the biggest upsides to the combat was the boss fights. The boss fights were often some of the more challenging points in the game, requiring some focus and time dodging to complete. When you think the game is becoming too easy, a few of these fights will put you back in check.
Each boss fight is different from the last and you never know what to expect.
I was disappointed that you could only play as Spongebob. In Battle for Bikini Bottom, you had to ability to play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy through your adventure. It seemed like a missed opportunity not to incorporate a similar system into the game.
Controls
The control scheme of the game is quite basic. The classic X to jump and square to attack. You won’t find anything too involved for a control scheme in this game, but that is okay. This basic control layout will allow a younger gaming audience to jump in with a minimal learning curve.
Conclusion
The Cosmic Shake brings us back to a time of simpler gaming. A fun lighthearted story with overall gameplay that is a blast. The game has challenging moments, particularly during the boss fights and platforming later, but it is quite forgiving.
There is no real downside to dying/falling, likely due to the younger audience that will be drawn to this game. However, this by no means takes away from its enjoyment. If you are a millennial or Gen-Z who came up on the PS2/Xbox/GC with Battle for Bikini Bottom, you will surely enjoy this game.
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