Considering it is marketed for the ageing PS4 and Xbox One consoles, this new platform game is great fun and well worth a look at even on the current systems.
While it isn’t clearly up there visually with PS5 and Xbox Series X hits like the latest Ratchet & Clank, the fact that it is a vibrant, colourful cartoon design means it doesn’t have to be.
And when you throw in decent gameplay and fantastic voice acting, you’re pretty much on to a winner at a budget price for a brand new title.
Cosmic Shake feels like one big SpongeBob TV adventure.
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The cartoon cast lay on all their classic voices to give the silly storyline a real boost and their over-the-top acting blends perfectly with well thought-out gaming animation.
SpongeBob and best bud Patrick meet the mysterious fortune teller Kassandra who gives them a vial full of Mermaid’s Tears in this game.
Legend claims they grant the wishes of those who are pure of heart.
Naturally, the two best friends get overexcited and their flurry of wishes tears open the very fabric of space and time itself.
That sparks a 3D platforming adventure straight out of the Mario Odyssey book of gaming.
And makers THQ Nordic do a good job here in delivering a fun, evolving game that’s not too taxing for the kiddies it’s clearly aimed at.
You have seven distinct worlds to conquer via portal splits in the universe, each with their own theme – like pirates or cowboys – and boss fight each at the end.
As you progress the game gently equips you with new moves, such as rope swinging or firing bubbles to hinder enemies.
This means you always feel like you’re adding new layers to what starts out to be a rather simplistic title.
The game plays well, you control SpongeBob from above and behind the back of his head and the joypad is responsive in the twitchier moments where there’s a lot of jumping and fighting.
The soundtrack boasts more than 100 background songs, all generally jaunty and fun.
And there’s a load of collectible outfits for you to try to earn, which gives the game deployability.
It’s a good strong game – not quite up there with the more polished Mario Odyssey but a very pleasant January surprise.
Ideal for kids, its a great game to bond over between parents and children with a bit of old-fashioned gamepad swapping.
Well worth a look for £35.
VERDICT 4.5/5
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