SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide

It is held back slightly by a lack of difficulty, a shorter runtime and a handful of technical hiccups, yet it remains a charming, joyful platformer that understands its audience perfectly.

Is SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide going to be someone's GOTY? No. Could it be the most fun game someone played this year? There's a high chance. Titans of the Tide knows its job precisely and, with crazy professionalism, builds a 7-hour adventure that feels like one long episode of the series.

Titans of the Tide is a very competent platformer that is further enhanced if you are a fan of SpongeBob and his cohorts. I had a great time even without in-depth knowledge of the show. It plays well, looks great, and is genuinely hilarious at times. We need these types of games, and I am glad SpongeBob continues to carry that torch. For the price, this is more than worth your time.

As a dominant genre, 3D platformers have become increasingly rare these days, and perhaps thanks to this situation, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is particularly enjoyable. It revives the genre in its most classic form, focusing heavily on the typical characterization of the series from which it is taken. A well-made tie-in, obviously aimed at big SpongeBob fans but which could appeal to anyone looking for a light-hearted game, especially younger players.

Placed alongside Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated and The Cosmic Shake, Titans of the Tide shows just how far Purple Lamp has come - delivering the strongest, most lovingly crafted SpongeBob 3D platformer to date with slick duo-gameplay and deeper level design, even if lingering issues, like stiff animations, performance hiccups, missing QoL features, and Day One DLC keep this otherwise great trip from reaching a true Best Day Ever.