Faisal Ghaffar 
The porous goofball that is SpongeBob SquarePants has kept people entertained for years as a cartoon, so it is natural that people would also want a game. This is something that SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom accomplished in 2003 and it was certainly enjoyable. However, there was a great need for a modern take and this is where SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake comes in. Being a sequel to the 20-year-old Bikini Bottom means that it has a lot of ground to cover.
The story
As you would expect from the delightful sponge, the story starts when everyone’s favorite character ends up making some ill-advised decisions. This results in the fabric of Bikini Bottom tearing apart and SpongeBob is obviously determined to fix things, along with a balloon version of Patrick who has been recently transformed.
The two start jumping through portals in order to fight and fight jelly portals while they continue their search for their friends. The plot that follows is just an excuse for players to revisit some of the most memorable episodes of SpongeBob. This includes exploring the depths of Rocky Bottom, or moving through Bikini Bottom’s prehistoric version.
It turns out to be a good trip down memory lane, but it is not an original SpongeBob tale, if that is what you were looking for.
The characters
You will be hit with nostalgia because there are a number of recognizable characters who will make an appearance throughout the game and they are voiced by their original voice actors. These include SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Pearl, Patrick and The Flying Dutchman. Most of these characters have some gags they are part of, or have a couple of lines.
A lot of it will feel like you are part of a long-lost episode and all the realms that you get to explore are vibrantly cartoonish and colorful reimagining of SpongeBob’s world.
The gameplay
If you were thinking that the gameplay would bring a lot of changes as compared to Battle for Bikini Bottoms, then you are going to be disappointed because they have opted to stick with the same for the most part. The jumping puzzles remain dreadfully simple and you will see the same handful of enemies in terms of combat.
Some of the new things you will find in the gameplay is that your character can now ground pound, double-jump, attack with the bubble wand and use a pizza box to glide across gaps. In fact, you can also swing on a fishing line, or even karate-kick some of your enemies. It is a total 10-hour campaign that keeps you busy because there are some literal and metaphorical hoops that you have to jump through at every level.
There is some variety that you will find in the puzzles and the combat and you can also check out the special sequences that have been added, such as a chase scene while sitting on a seahorse.
The Verdict
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake offers you the humor and charm that you see in its show and is a fun adventure for those who love the character.
