SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is the Bikini Bottom gang's first original platform game in nearly eight years. So much time away from the genre could have thrown the franchise even deeper into the world of middling licensed games. Fortunately, this was not the path taken by the Purple Lamp studio. Although it has problems with the structure of its levels, the game has controls, challenges and gameplay progression that satisfy anyone looking for a fun game to play without compromise. Anyone who grew up with SpongeBob titles in the 2000s will feel right at home with this cosmic jolt.
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Something commendable and even ironic about LEGO Bricktales is that the game differentiates itself by bringing to games something that is so intrinsic to building blocks, which is the act of building. Looking back, it's even hard to understand how this hadn't been done before. With its puzzles, the title reproduces the process of reasoning, logic and creativity required in playing with real pieces. Added to the creative scenarios and the shallow but fun script, this factor makes the 10 hours of the game, for the most part, very pleasant. A general improvement to certain mechanics like camera control would make usability much better. Fortunately, ClockStone Software has released updates that fixed some performance issues and bugs, but more improvements would be welcome.
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Even though Kirby's Dream Buffet is a lot cheaper than most first-party Nintendo Switch offerings, the longevity of activities is low for a party game. The lack of variety in the rules causes the game to quickly lose its freshness and lag behind other offerings of the genre on the console. Yes, there are times when contests are fun, with high doses of risk, reward and chaos. The amount of unlockables is also impressive and warms the heart of any Kirby fan. However, the bulk of the game doesn't captivate enough.
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My time with Kao the Kangaroo left me filled with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I enjoyed its simple yet engaging challenges and its world-building, which recalls the cartoons we watched as children. However, on the other hand, I found so many technical flaws that all the satisfaction that the game brings in its essence gave way to frustration. Perhaps with a good update, the game will get the polish it deserves. Until then, it's like a Schrodinger Game: it's both good and bad.
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In 2013, The Stanley Parable was one of my obsessions. The game surprised me a lot with its storytelling and the gameplay remained in my mind for years. Today, in 2022, I believe the same will happen with The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. Though the impact was lesser than it was almost a decade ago, I noticed the text quality in the game and its design innovation did not lose [their brilliance] over time. As I walked again through these paths I had already gone through, The jokes still worked and the serious moments still hit me [like before]. The extra content, though not so incorporated into the original game's design, works as another title, with surprises in every one of its various minutes. Not knowing what will happen next time the game starts has never been so fun. In the end, it's worth playing Stanley's parable. Or to let yourself be played by it.
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It's nice to see when a studio steps out of its comfort zone and ventures into a new genre. Even better when the result is a fun title. Dawn of the Monsters fits this example well. Its graphic style, fully voiced dialogues and strategic gameplay are pleasing, making this first venture by 13AM Games in beat 'em ups a good experience.
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A Musical Story is a game made by people who love music to fans who are also enthusiasts. The way its compositions completely match the gameplay and the illustrations telling a story, and the fact it isn't demanding perfection in the [player's] performance of the tracks, makes this game a celebration of music['s place] in our lives. Some situations briefly break the spell, such as the lack of visual cues during songs making errors more prominent in the complex tracks. The short duration of the game also leaves a slightly bitter taste in the mouth. However, neither defeats the effort of Glee-Cheese Studio. This is a worthy first title that defines the base for future productions of the developer.
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Cruis’n Blast is the curious case of a great game on the outside, but empty on the inside. The main gameplay is exhilarating, with fast races and responsive controls. The circuits, with their gigantic jumps, comically absurd situations and unexpected elements, make games fun. The vehicles, on the other hand, ranging from the simplest to the most fantastic, are hardly seen in other games of the genre. However, everything around this gameplay is shallow, making this a good comeback from the franchise, but not the best possible.
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