SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide
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Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide
Even if Titans of the Tide is a little too short to make that kind of impact, it’s still easily the best SpongeBob game since Battle for Bikini Bottom, and possibly even better if you take off the Jellyfishing nostalgia goggles. I can only hope that Purple Lamp keeps it up, because it finally feels like it’s nearly cracked the Secret Formula.
If you are a fan of the other games in this cycle of platform adventures, you are going to love Titans of the Tide. It's another colourful, funny SpongeBob adventure from Purple Lamp and, just like the cartoon, repeat viewings don't tend to lessen the magic. The formula is starting to show its age now, but it's still the best virtual Bikini Bottom we've got.
Titans of the Tide is a very competent platformer that is further enhanced if you are a fan of SpongeBob and his cohorts. I had a great time even without in-depth knowledge of the show. It plays well, looks great, and is genuinely hilarious at times. We need these types of games, and I am glad SpongeBob continues to carry that torch. For the price, this is more than worth your time.
This, combined with a fun but unnecessary chapter and some technical hitches on Switch 2, hold back Titans of the Tide from being the Nickelodeon icon’s best outing yet. That said, if you’re a SpongeBob veteran or someone just seeking a fun adventure for the family, there are times when Titans of the Tide is primed to make a splash.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide isn't going to blow anyone away, but it's a perfectly decent 3D platformer that mostly captures the energy of the show. Swapping between SpongeBob and Patrick is a neat mechanic that's used very well throughout, and levels are big and varied as you explore Bikini Bottom and talk to its populace, all of whom are voiced by the proper cast. It definitely has some rough edges and some soft writing, and it won't win over any SpongeBob detractors, but it's a good all-ages game for both kids and longtime fans.
Despite the pleasantries Titans of the Tide offers that makes it easy breezy and a fair old hoot for SpongeBob fans, you would expect this latest entry to improve on The Cosmic Shake, rather than behaving like a slippery sidestep. Unfortunately, Titans of the Tide is out of its depths because it comes across as an unfinished game that has some sparkling ideas, but the execution is hamstrung by its terrible camera and banal combat, platforming and puzzles. If you want to delve into another SpongeBob game this one might do just fine, but for everybody else Titans of the Tide is a titanic case of meh.
While SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide isn't particularly challenging, it's well-written, consistently fun and fun enough to be enjoyed by Goofy Goobers, young and old.
As someone who was probably a bit too old to have caught the original fandom of SpongeBob but then was introduced to it via fatherhood… I appreciate the love that has been put into this game. It is very easy for franchises to simply churn out pulp slop (anyone from the 90's remember all those side scrolling/platform games based on things from The Blues Brothers to Home Alone and basically everything in between?). Fortunately, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide has been made with fans in mind and really does feel like you are in the middle of an episode of the show (the moment SpongeBob and Patrick first learn they can swap who is in ghost form had me chuckling quite a bit). It's a lot of fun with very minimal stress whilst still not being so easy that you can play it with your eyes closed. It's the right level of challenge with a lot of fun throughout… highly recommended for SpongeBob fans or even just fans of fun platformers!
