SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Review

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, developed by Purple Lamp Studios and published by THQ Nordic, brought its vibrant brand of undersea chaos to the PlayStation 5 (PS5) in 2023. Following the successful *Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated*, this new adventure aims to deliver a fresh, standalone 3D platformer experience firmly rooted in the beloved animated series. This SpongeBob Cosmic Shake PS5 review explores its charming gameplay, faithful humor, and why it’s a great addition to the PS5 library.

Gameplay: Bubble Blowing, Costumes, and Wishful Worlds

At its core, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake on the PS5 is a delightful action-adventure platformer. Players control SpongeBob SquarePants, joined by his ever-present companion, Patrick Star, who has been turned into a balloon (and backpack). SpongeBob utilizes his signature bubble-blowing abilities for combat, creating various bubble attacks, and navigating the environment. He can also execute a powerful karate chop, a unique jump, and even a “Bubble Bash” for aerial attacks.

The game’s progression involves traversing various “Wishworlds,” dimensions created by errant wishes. Each Wishworld is a distinct themed level (e.g., a Wild West jellyfish field, a prehistoric jungle, a karate-themed dojo), offering unique platforming challenges, enemies, and boss fights. SpongeBob gains new costumes throughout the adventure, which are not just cosmetic but unlock new traversal or combat abilities, adding variety to the gameplay and encouraging exploration. The game is highly accessible and family-friendly, with intuitive controls that translate well to the PS5’s DualSense controller, offering satisfying haptic feedback for various actions.

• Vibrant 3D platforming across diverse Wishworlds
• Engaging bubble-based combat and traversal mechanics
• Unlockable costumes provide new abilities and gameplay variety
• Charming boss fights faithful to the show’s villains
• Accessible and family-friendly gameplay for all ages

Story and Setting: A Multiverse of Mayhem

The narrative kicks off when SpongeBob and Patrick acquire a set of wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears. Their innocent wishes inadvertently tear holes in the fabric of reality, creating the chaotic Wishworlds and scattering their friends across them. It’s up to SpongeBob to rescue his pals and restore Bikini Bottom to normal.

The storytelling is infused with the trademark humor of the SpongeBob SquarePants show. The game features the original voice acting cast, which is a massive boon, making every line delivery and character interaction feel genuinely authentic and often hilarious. The level design within each Wishworld is imaginative, fully embracing its theme with clever visual gags and references for fans.

Graphics and Sound: Cartoon Comes to Life on PS5

Visually, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake on the PS5 is a joy to behold. The graphics are incredibly vibrant, colorful, and perfectly replicate the hand-drawn aesthetic of the animated series in a 3D environment. Character models are expressive, and the environments are packed with detail and personality, looking fantastic in crisp 4K resolution at a smooth 60 FPS.

The sound design is top-notch, featuring a cheerful and energetic soundtrack that instantly transports players to Bikini Bottom. The sound effects for bubble attacks, enemy hits, and environmental interactions are punchy and satisfying. The presence of the original voice cast (Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, etc.) is a massive win, making the game feel like an authentic extension of the show.

Replayability: Jellyfishing and Collectibles

The Cosmic Shake offers good replayability. Beyond completing the main story, each Wishworld has numerous collectibles to find, including Medallions, Coins, and Golden Spatulas. There are also side challenges and different difficulty modes. Returning to levels with newly unlocked costumes and abilities allows for more thorough exploration, keeping the jellyfishing spirit alive.

Is SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake on PS5 Worth Playing Today?

Absolutely. For fans of SpongeBob SquarePants, 3D platformers, or anyone looking for a charming and genuinely fun family-friendly licensed game, SpongeBob Cosmic Shake PS5 is a fantastic choice. Its vibrant visuals, authentic humor, engaging platforming, and the sheer joy of playing as SpongeBob make it an endlessly enjoyable and rewarding experience. It’s a true classic PS5 game that delivers on its promise of a wacky, wishful adventure!