SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide Review is a fresh wave for Bikini Bottom’s biggest heroes.
Purple Lamp has been the guardian of modern SpongeBob platformers for several years now, carrying the torch from Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated and pushing the franchise into new territory with The Cosmic Shake.
Longtime fans have been eager to see something that not only reflects the intensity of the show but also changes how these games are played, even though those appearances left the basic base intact. That’s when SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide came out.
This is the time when the studio finally stops using old formulae and tries something new that really pushes SpongeBob and Patrick into new mechanical terrain. It still brings back memories of Bikini Bottom’s best years, but this time it seems like Purple Lamp is willing to try new things and get real results.
As the grandiose title suggests, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide follows SpongeBob and Patrick as they attempt to save Bikini Bottom from being destroyed by a childish fight between two of the show’s most powerful figures: the Flying Dutchman and King Neptune.
On the surface, it’s a typical nautical nonsense setup that sticks closely to the show’s formula, complete with charming animations, slapstick expressions, and a visual presentation that captures the vibe better than most high-profile platformers.
However, the story starts off in a way that feels exceedingly juvenile, to the point where the beginning may have your eyes rolling rather than smiling in SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide.
The Flying Dutchman deserved a more compelling introduction, and the instigating incident between him and King Neptune feels underdeveloped. Even so, once SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide gets going, the narrative becomes less intrusive. It manages to pull off some genuinely funny moments, and the new way dialogue plays out, with characters facing each other directly, helps the voice lines feel more natural.
Mr. Krabs and Squidward deliver some of the most organic exchanges in recent SpongeBob game history, while side characters like Mrs. Puff, Karen, and Pearl show up with memorable moments that feel true to their personalities.
Karen, in particular, has some of her best lines yet. The premise of the Dutchman turning fish into ghosts gives the developers freedom to craft some of the most beautiful environments in a SpongeBob game, and the adventure feels larger than past entries thanks to varied locations and plenty of familiar faces.
While the jokes are toned down from The Cosmic Shake’s often grating repetition, that also means SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide isn’t always laugh-out-loud funny. For some, it may feel more like you’re smiling knowingly rather than actively laughing. The story doesn’t fully match the show’s wit and can be forgettable in places, but the tone still sticks closely to what fans associate with classic SpongeBob.
If you’ve spent any time with previous SpongeBob platformers, you’ll know what to expect in broad strokes. SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is a level-based 3D platformer featuring simple but satisfying combat, plenty of collectables scattered through each area, and side objectives that encourage deeper exploration.
The big shake-up, and what makes SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide genuinely special, is the swapping mechanic. At any moment, you can switch between SpongeBob and Patrick using their BFF rings, and both characters have fully unique move sets that feed directly into puzzle design, platforming challenges, and combat.
SpongeBob features a karate kick that launches him across platforms, along with a bubble ability that activates switches and bounce pads. Patrick can burrow underground to access hidden areas or reposition quickly.
He can also pick up enemies and objects, just as he could in Battle for Bikini Bottom, but here the mechanic feels more deliberate and central to the game flow. Patrick even has a brand-new grappling hook that adds an unexpectedly fun wrinkle to traversal. Swapping between the two characters is snappy, letting you use both skillsets mid-encounter or during tricky platforming gauntlets.
What initially seems like a familiar, slightly simple platformer quickly evolves. The early hours have a slower pace, but as you progress, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide presents surprisingly well-crafted platforming sequences that demand fast character swaps.
You might flip a switch as SpongeBob, immediately switch to Patrick to pull a platform, then switch back to reach a new area with a karate kick or a bubble. It’s faster and more involved than any previous SpongeBob game, finally giving the franchise the mechanical depth fans have been waiting for.
Exploration is smoother than ever. The hub area, the Krusty Krab transformed into a pirate ship, is a standout. You can accept quests from various characters here, and as you explore the world, more quests naturally appear.
This ship also works as your means of traveling between different islands and locations, since the Dutchman’s rampage has broken the world into pieces. It’s a charming setup that feels perfectly in theme, and navigating it is simple and intuitive.
Combat feels noticeably better than in previous entries. The weight of each attack has been tightened, and your jumps, dives, and hits all feel more responsive. SpongeBob and Patrick handle differently, but both feel more refined than in past games.
Patrick, surprisingly, may be the more enjoyable character to control thanks to his underground burrowing, grappling hook, and useful throwing abilities. It gives him a distinct identity rather than making him feel like a secondary option.
Enemy variety is solid. Some foes are clearly inspired by Battle for Bikini Bottom designs, with close-range and ranged enemies mixing things up. Mini-bosses stand out the most; they’re heavier, more mechanically involved, and present more interesting attack patterns.
Boss battles offer fun, episode-inspired set pieces, with the Sandy fight during hibernation being a highlight in SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide. It cleverly uses the environment, and both characters have meaningful roles throughout the encounter.
The puzzles also benefit greatly from the swapping mechanic. They aren’t just about tossing items onto switches; instead, they push you to move quickly between characters’ abilities to solve multi-step chains. While these puzzles never become overly complex, they keep the pacing fresh and help give the gameplay more identity.
If there’s a drawback, it’s that the mechanics feel like they’re just hitting their peak when the game wraps up. SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide ends before its ideas reach full escalation, and a few more late-game levels could’ve made the experience truly exceptional.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide doesn’t focus heavily on XP or grinding systems. Instead, the progression comes from exploring levels, finding collectables, completing quests, and unlocking new abilities for SpongeBob and Patrick.
You collect coins throughout your journey, many of which Patrick can gather quickly by burrowing underground. These coins can then be used to buy costumes and other cosmetic unlockables.
The customization approach is great because each costume is inspired by an iconic episode. XP doesn’t play a big role, but the continual stream of coins and unlockables encourages exploration and keeps you interested without having to grind a lot.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide looks gorgeous. Purple Lamp has truly mastered the cartoonish aesthetic, blending expressive animation with high-quality textures and environmental detail.
The ghost-themed environments give the artists freedom to create new versions of classic locations, and each area feels full of life. The cutscenes are lovely, but the timing is off. Some transitions start a few seconds too early or stop too suddenly, which makes the pacing feel off.
The sound design is great. The music never gets boring, and every song fits well with the universe of SpongeBob. Voice acting is strong across the board, and thanks to the new dialogue system, exchanges between characters sound more natural and energetic.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is the best SpongeBob game since Battle for Bikini Bottom, and in some respects, it’s even better. Purple Lamp finally has the mix of realness, smart mechanics, and expressive appeal that the series has been looking for for years.
The swapping system between SpongeBob and Patrick elevates the platforming to the franchise’s highest point, and the tight controls make every jump, dive, and attack feel satisfying.
The story has pacing issues, some humor doesn’t always land, and SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide ends just as its best ideas are blossoming. But the variety of quests, the huge cast of famous characters, the smooth combat, and the beautiful settings make SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide fun from start to finish.
