Kizma
A disappointing miscalculation of audience. The Cosmic Shake (TCS) is a spiritual successor to Battle for Bikini Bottom (BfBB) made by Purple Lamp Studios.
In terms of writing, references and voice acting, the game is a great step up from BfBB. Many of the shows writers and voice actors worked closely on this project to deliver on that front.
But when it comes to gameplay, TCS is heavily dumbed down and simplified when it comes to platforming, collectibles and boss difficulty. Usually, I wouldn't mind this since it's obviously a kids game, but Purple Lamp already created the perfect recreation of BfBB in 2020 that was also a financial success.
There's also the fundamental mistake of thinking the main demographic for a spongebob game is still children. The show was hugely popular in the 90s and 2000s, after that it has been a shell of its former self and has lost popularity to competition from Cartoon Network shows. Most people that are still large enough SpongeBob fans are the kids that grew up with it in it's golden days or played BfBB, kids that have grown up to around 14-24 and don't need their hand to be held in a platformer game.
Overall, TCS sadly does not offer much of a challenge to anyone remotely used to a platformer, but for anyone looking for a good entry game to 3D Platformers and you happen to also like SpongeBob, this is a great option.
In terms of writing, references and voice acting, the game is a great step up from BfBB. Many of the shows writers and voice actors worked closely on this project to deliver on that front.
But when it comes to gameplay, TCS is heavily dumbed down and simplified when it comes to platforming, collectibles and boss difficulty. Usually, I wouldn't mind this since it's obviously a kids game, but Purple Lamp already created the perfect recreation of BfBB in 2020 that was also a financial success.
There's also the fundamental mistake of thinking the main demographic for a spongebob game is still children. The show was hugely popular in the 90s and 2000s, after that it has been a shell of its former self and has lost popularity to competition from Cartoon Network shows. Most people that are still large enough SpongeBob fans are the kids that grew up with it in it's golden days or played BfBB, kids that have grown up to around 14-24 and don't need their hand to be held in a platformer game.
Overall, TCS sadly does not offer much of a challenge to anyone remotely used to a platformer, but for anyone looking for a good entry game to 3D Platformers and you happen to also like SpongeBob, this is a great option.
2001
It's slightly disappointing that they abandoned the adventure field aspect from the first game, but the storytelling and visuals more than make up for it.
Takes a great and addicting gameplay loop and adds a lot of charm through the artwork. Plus it's free!
2023
An incredible experience through and through. I played this game from beginning to end with a buddy in around 80 hours.
Not a single one of those 80 hours felt like a chore, none of it felt boring and I was always looking forward to the next interaction.
Exploring every corner of every room is extremely rewarding and exciting as well, with even common loot having a purpose. Be it selling, potion creating, scrolls to avoid using spell points and whatnot, it always felt good to find something.
The only gripe with the game I have is that the camera can be a bit of a nuisance from time to time, but let's be honest, what non FPS game doesn't
10/10, will play again.
Not a single one of those 80 hours felt like a chore, none of it felt boring and I was always looking forward to the next interaction.
Exploring every corner of every room is extremely rewarding and exciting as well, with even common loot having a purpose. Be it selling, potion creating, scrolls to avoid using spell points and whatnot, it always felt good to find something.
The only gripe with the game I have is that the camera can be a bit of a nuisance from time to time, but let's be honest, what non FPS game doesn't
10/10, will play again.
Loved it.
2006
Best Sonic soundtrack no competition, a little buggy, otherwise an enjoyable game
2019
The FPS games for people who want to ALWAYS do something, whether you're looting, shooting, running to or away from something. Incredible gunplay and movement capabilities, although crossplay has crippled movement for PC players due to it being more difficult on controller.
1989
A perfectly simple puzzle game for players at any level.
2009
Trying to get into this game is like trying to apply for a job that requires 5 years of experience.
2012
Game Dev Tycoon (GDT) is one of the most addicting formulas I've ever experienced, and I've smoked cigarettes.
The gameplay for GDT goes like this:
You pick a platform, genre and topic for your game
You enter 3 different stages of development
On each stage you have to divide your development time between different aspects of the project (Engine, Gameplay, Story for example.)
Depending on the genre and topic combination you picked, there's a sweet spot where the game will get great reviews and you make a lot of money.
And that's the main gameplay for the most part, you get to twiddle around with some other things but it all feeds into that process. It's insanely addictive when first learning all the combinations and values, and then sort of loses that charm after around 2-3 playthroughs.
The first time I played this game around 2014, I stayed up until 5 AM on a school night and bombed a history test because of it, and I'd do it all over again if I could.
The gameplay for GDT goes like this:
You pick a platform, genre and topic for your game
You enter 3 different stages of development
On each stage you have to divide your development time between different aspects of the project (Engine, Gameplay, Story for example.)
Depending on the genre and topic combination you picked, there's a sweet spot where the game will get great reviews and you make a lot of money.
And that's the main gameplay for the most part, you get to twiddle around with some other things but it all feeds into that process. It's insanely addictive when first learning all the combinations and values, and then sort of loses that charm after around 2-3 playthroughs.
The first time I played this game around 2014, I stayed up until 5 AM on a school night and bombed a history test because of it, and I'd do it all over again if I could.
2022
Amazing co-op experience but lacking in play time because of it being in early access. Eager to see what they have to add.
2019
Astroneer is the perfect space survivalcraft game.
Crafting feels like you're assembling a puzzle without the picture, a challenge that gives you the same satisfaction as seeing a properly cable managed server rack.
Exploring alien planets while expanding your oxygen tethers is very relaxing and rewarding, as once you've covered the planet with your blue air-spaghetti you can run around without a single worry while looking for resources.
Visually the game is extremely vibrant and toony. Very bold colors with extreme landscapes and complex machinery is a sight for sore eyes.
Overall the game is a very great experience for the people that want a survival exploration crafting factory building game. Think of Minecraft, Satisfactory and No Man's Sky mushed into one awesome game.
Crafting feels like you're assembling a puzzle without the picture, a challenge that gives you the same satisfaction as seeing a properly cable managed server rack.
Exploring alien planets while expanding your oxygen tethers is very relaxing and rewarding, as once you've covered the planet with your blue air-spaghetti you can run around without a single worry while looking for resources.
Visually the game is extremely vibrant and toony. Very bold colors with extreme landscapes and complex machinery is a sight for sore eyes.
Overall the game is a very great experience for the people that want a survival exploration crafting factory building game. Think of Minecraft, Satisfactory and No Man's Sky mushed into one awesome game.
2016
OneShot is the perfect example of emotional investment.
While it's very difficult to give a proper review without spoiling the puzzles or the story, I'll give a general idea of the feeling of the game.
Gameplay:
The gameplay of OneShot is going to be the most divisive thing about the game. The game is a top down, slow paced environmental puzzle game. No skill based mechanics, no high adrenaline action and lots of slow methodical thinking.
Story:
The world and lore of OneShot is delivered through lots of dialogue and environmental storytelling. The storytelling is subtle yet profound, the game encourages players to explore and interact with the environment. It’s a narrative that respects the intelligence of its players, never spoon-feeding easy to understand information but instead inviting them to uncover the lore at their own pace and really think about what's going on around them.
Soundtrack:
To fit the slow gameplay and dark gloomy world, the music in OneShot is very melancholic and gives a feeling of "the world is ending, and I've accepted it" that fits with the defeated feeling you get from interacting with the characters. (https://youtu.be/mmxLcw0oH4w)
Overall:
OneShot is a one-time experience that leaves a long lasting impression on the player, I don't think I'll ever forget Niko.
While it's very difficult to give a proper review without spoiling the puzzles or the story, I'll give a general idea of the feeling of the game.
Gameplay:
The gameplay of OneShot is going to be the most divisive thing about the game. The game is a top down, slow paced environmental puzzle game. No skill based mechanics, no high adrenaline action and lots of slow methodical thinking.
Story:
The world and lore of OneShot is delivered through lots of dialogue and environmental storytelling. The storytelling is subtle yet profound, the game encourages players to explore and interact with the environment. It’s a narrative that respects the intelligence of its players, never spoon-feeding easy to understand information but instead inviting them to uncover the lore at their own pace and really think about what's going on around them.
Soundtrack:
To fit the slow gameplay and dark gloomy world, the music in OneShot is very melancholic and gives a feeling of "the world is ending, and I've accepted it" that fits with the defeated feeling you get from interacting with the characters. (https://youtu.be/mmxLcw0oH4w)
Overall:
OneShot is a one-time experience that leaves a long lasting impression on the player, I don't think I'll ever forget Niko.