SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide Review – Hilarious Mayhem

THQ Nordic has taken the SpongeBob franchise seriously: following the success of Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated and The Cosmic Shake, the third installment in the series, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide, has been released. We’ve dived to the bottom of the ocean and are ready to tell you how the people who live there are faring.

• Developer: Purple Lamp
• Publisher: THQ Nordic
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 , PC, PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X|S
• Release date: November 18, 2025

It all begins in the Krabby Patty line. A huge, long, and agonizingly slow line, in which the Flying Dutchman had to stand for what seemed like endless hours. And then, just as he was about to order, Neptune, the king of the seas , arrived and, of course, was given priority service.

Enraged, the Flying Dutchman has turned the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom into ghosts , and now it’s up to SpongeBob and Patrick to sort things out with their typically flippant approach.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide, or “SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Deep” in the official localization, is traditionally filled with gags, ridiculous situations, and funny characters. From the cunning Plankton, who definitely doesn’t want to steal the Krabby Patty recipe, to the incredibly narcissistic Neptune, who causes a global catastrophe, every inhabitant of the underwater world somehow finds a way to make the player laugh. Not to mention the main characters, who generate jokes almost every minute.

But the plot and humor aren’t the project’s only strengths. It’s a classic 3D platformer , with themed locations, double jumping, and plenty of challenges across spacious levels. The player can instantly switch between SpongeBob and Patrick, and this must be done constantly, as each character has their own set of abilities.

SpongeBob is attracted to certain objects and performs a karate kick while jumping. Patrick, meanwhile, can burrow underground and carry heavy objects. While the game’s platforming doesn’t always reach the refinement of Astro Bot and Super Mario Odyssey, the gameplay is still very high-quality. Sometimes you have to juggle characters mid- flight , swapping them mid-jump to use special abilities, while other times you have to dash down a slope, avoiding obstacles, or activate various switches to solve simple puzzles .

The game is divided into five large locations, between which the heroes travel on a hub ship. Each location has its own unique challenges: for example, in Neptune’s Palace, you’ll have to switch between two world states by activating crystals. This keeps the gameplay from becoming boring, as the developers are constantly throwing in something new.

If you’re racing through the storyline, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide can be completed very quickly. Additional missions, hidden treasure chests , races, and other challenges will help extend the adventure. Collecting coins and jumping on platforms is fun – secrets are hidden in every corner of the area, and you can use your accumulated gold to purchase new costumes for SpongeBob and Patrick.

However, the game offers more than just exploration; it also features combat. The combat system is fairly simple and doesn’t present any particular challenges. There are several enemy types with different attack patterns: regular ghosts, enhanced fighters, ranged enemies, and so on. Boss fights offer a pleasant variety: a boss can have multiple phases, each requiring you to adapt to its attacks.

The project doesn’t have any noticeable issues. It’s impossible to get lost in the levels; your partner will always point you in the right direction. The controls are intuitive, but when playing with a keyboard and mouse, you’ll have to get used to the awkward layout. The only serious criticism the title can offer is performance dips during cutscenes, but overall, the visuals are very pleasing, thanks to Unreal Engine 5 .

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is an excellent platformer with relaxing gameplay, signature absurd humor, and a moderate length. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the references to the animated series and feature films , while those unfamiliar with the SpongeBob universe will be entertained by the numerous activities and battles. Ultimately, the game is highly recommended for both fans and players looking for a break from the big-name AAA releases in a carefree underwater world.