Review: SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans Of The Tide (Switch 2)
By Developers Purple Lamp Studios are diligently preserving the dream for the ongoing escapades of everyone’s beloved animated sponge.
2020’s Battle for Bikini Bottom: Rehydrated served as a splendid enhancement to a cherished classic and a remarkable success to boot. The studio subsequently released a robust sequel in The Cosmic Shake, fulfilling the promise to advance the franchise.
We now have another escapade from that same formula with Titans of the Tide, a recognisable journey that entertains individuals of all ages while maintaining the broad attraction of its original material.
The plot is as straightforward as an average episode of the series. King Neptune and the Flying Dutchman engage in a colossal conflict at the Krusty Krab, with the residents of Bikini Bottom inadvertently caught in the chaos. Underwater dwellers are transformed into slime-slinging phantoms, and Squidward has yet another issue to grumble about. SpongeBob and Patrick need to collaborate to confront the Dutchman’s horde of creatures and avert disaster. How else is Mr. Krabs going to make a profit?
While this title doesn’t represent a massive advancement from The Cosmic Shake, it does mark a notable improvement over PHL Collective’s The Patrick Star Game. That title was more of a child-friendly puzzler, whereas this offers a vast collectathon platforming experience.
As a proud participant of the multi-generational cohort of SpongeBob enthusiasts, I consistently anticipate these releases. The visuals are impeccable, Bikini Bottom and its residents are affectionately depicted. Levels are brimming with NPCs, most of whom have a quip to share, while some feature genuinely amusing dialogue waiting to be uncovered. It’s delightful to traverse the levels (aided by a convenient surfboard), discovering all the fish folks hidden in every nook.
Titans of the Tide allows you to control both SpongeBob and his dimwitted starfish companion. Through the magic of a BFF Ring, both characters accompany you throughout the adventure. Each possesses a distinctive skill set that assists in unraveling platforming and environmental challenges across the stages.
You can toggle between them at the press of a button, with the character not being controlled drifting around as a ghost. This ethereal companion serves as an objective guide and illuminates the path to the next target within the generously sized spaces.
Unique abilities offer enjoyable combinations. SpongeBob taps into his karate background, while Patrick can burrow beneath the surface and whip with a spectral lasso. Levels frequently encourage utilizing this character-switching mechanic, and it feels gratifying to alternate between the two for navigation and combat.
Combatting the ghostly henchmen of the Flying Dutchman feels a bit lacking. You receive basic melee combos and the occasional light environmental puzzle during boss fights. Certain foes necessitate the use of a recently acquired skill, yet most confrontations are merely punch and proceed.
In between missions, you will visit the Floating Patty, a hub zone where you can converse with NPCs and accept side quests from characters like Plankton and Sandy. There’s an abundance of content here, with a wide array of locations and plenty of supplemental material. Collecting everything doesn’t pose quite the same challenge as leading 3D platformers, but what exists could easily fill a giant-sized Krabby Patty.
While Titans of the Tide may not be a graphical marvel, it feels magnificent in play. Both quality (30fps) and performance (60fps target) settings are feasible due to a motion smoothing slider. I consistently appreciate the flexible animations and physics directly derived from the cartoon.
The audio is also excellent, featuring the show’s cast to provide vocal work; this alone will justify the expense for fans. It’s important to mention that hardly a moment of gameplay passes without a cheesy quip, silly Patrick-ism, or signature laugh from Tom Kenny, so your tolerance for that may vary.
The primary concern I have with Titans of the Tide is its failure to sufficiently differentiate itself from the other two titles in Purple Lamp’s series revival. Beyond the ghostly adversaries and ability-switching mechanic, this game remains quite similar to Battle for Bikini Bottom or Cosmic Shake. Even the in-game shop, which features a generous selection of skins for SpongeBob and Patrick, is essentially identical to its predecessor. The format is dependable, but after three games, it’s starting to show wear.
Conclusion
If you appreciate the other games in this series of platforming escapades, you will likely adore Titans of the Tide. It’s yet another vibrant, humorous SpongeBob adventure from Purple Lamp and, akin to the cartoon, repeated experiences don’t typically diminish the enchantment. The formula is beginning to reveal its age now, but it remains the best virtual Bikini Bottom we possess.