SpongeBob SquarePants is returning to gaming consoles later next year and was playable during Gamescom 2019. This isn’t a simple remaster, it’s a complete remake of the original game, including gorgeous graphics and some modern tricks. We played one of the first levels and fell in love with the adorable new style.
Gorgeous visuals
The first thing I noticed while playing was the gorgeous new visuals. The game runs at a steady 60 frames per second on every platform and it’s really beautiful to look at. It reminded me of the stellar remake that Spyro received and that’s one of the biggest compliments I can give. The game nailed its visual style and not only do the environments impress, but the new character models are also the real stars. These newly created 3D models were demonstrated to Nickelodeon to make sure the game stayed as true to the source material as possible and we could really tell! SpongeBob looks amazing in his new 3D style and everything about him reminded me of just how funny the cartoons actually were. From flapping his arms in the air while running from awkwardly looking around while idle, SpongeBob truly comes to life in this Rehydrated version. In the retail version, you’ll also be able to play as Patrick and Sandy but we didn’t see any of those in action. That being said, I’m pretty sure they’ll look amazing too! But, enough about the jaw-dropping visuals, is the game actually any good?
A blast from the past
As you might know, the original game was a 3D platformer where you had defeat bosses from time to time, this new version still offers the same core mechanics. It’s still a crazy 3D adventure where you jump from platform to platform, discovering all secrets all while discovering every little secret in the environment. This is a game from the glory days of 3D platforms and can easily stand next to Banjo-Kazooie, Spyro, and even Super Mario. It offers that same beloved gameplay, set in the Spongebob universe and it’s a blast to play using some modern mechanics. The biggest change is the camera, which is now programmed to automatically change its perspective depending on where you are in the level. This makes it a lot easier for newcomers and younger gamers to control the game. They won’t have to worry about controlling a second stick, just running around is enough as the game will automatically do the rest for you. Of course, if you like, you can still maneuver the camera manually by using the second analog stick anyway. Thanks to this innovation, the game plays like a modern title and never will you have the feeling you’re playing an outdated game, especially when you’re facing off with some charismatic bosses from time to time.
In this demo, we had to face the iconic King Jellyfish after we watched a truly hilarious opening scene, it was our time to take it down. The boss acts as you would expect in a 3D platformer. It’s all about learning its pattern of attack and countering it at the right time, landing your attacks precisely right. Since this was the first boss in the game, the battle itself wasn’t hard to complete but it was fun from start to finish. That’s exactly what this game is all about, having fun while playing it. It’s releasing next year but this version already demonstrated the potential of the game. It’s a fun platformer and a great game Nintendo Switch owners will be able to carry around everywhere they want since it’s confirmed to be playable in handheld mode.
Early conclusion:
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated was surprisingly fun to play and I had a blast during the entire demo. Thanks to the great visuals and animations, I had a smile on my face from start to finish. Combine this with the solid gameplay and you understand why this is a quality product. I can’t wait to dive in for some more action later next year!
