Spongebob’s Truth or Square (Game)
The game based on the television special that isn’t actually based on the special
Tags: SpongeBob's Truth or Square Categories: Reviews, Wii Reviews, Xbox 360 Reviews
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Nov 18th, 2009
Spongebob Squarepants has become something of a pop culture phenomenon, and as a result a marketing cash cow. Nickelodeon and THQ have been pumping out games based on the television series and characters for a while now, and the market might be reaching a saturation point. The latest game, Songebob’s Truth or Square, takes its inspiration from the latest television special. Both involve memories, both involve the Krusty Krab’s EleventySeventh birthday, but that’s where the similarities end. The videogame of Spongebob’s Truth or Square falls directly into many of the traps that generic licensed videogames do.
Where the television special had a plot about the characters celebrating the Krusty Krab’s 117th anniversary and getting locked into the freezer, the game has Spongebob hosting a party in his pineapple. One of the main gimmicks of the special was the “flashbacks” (all newly created) looking back at various antics of the characters over the years. In the game, Spongebob has misplaced the secret Krabby Patty formula and can’t remember where it is, and needs to go into his brain to retrieve some happy memories in order to not be upset so that he can then remember where the Krabby Patty formula is.
Frankly, had the plot of the game followed along with the plot of the television special, it would have made much more sense.
As retarded as the game plot is, (such as why is Spongebob hosting a party at his house rather than having the party at the Krusty Krab where Mr. Krabs can charge people and make some money) it’s the gameplay that most will be concerned about. My 6 year old had a little difficulty playing, so he settled for watching me as I played the game. Players will take control of Spongebob as they go through levels based on various moments in his life. The twist is that Plankton is involved, so these memories are not quite as pure and genuine as they should be.
Spongebob is able to take down a number of robots in each level, collect coins … and that’s about it. There are some other tasks that break up the monotony (such as battling a giant mecha-Patrick) but really the gameplay is simple, repetitive and dull. About 3 levels into the game I was ready for the whole thing to be over.
Coins collected can be used to purchase new costumes or whatever, but they don’t really affect anything. Also decorations for the pineapple can be purchased. These don’t make the levels and gameplay any different.
Littered throughout the levels are various power ups that transform Spongebob’s slamming spatula attack into a massive damage dealing hammer or unleashes Patrick wielding Spongebob in a blitz style attack for a short period of time. These are all in keeping with the game and nature of the characters, but there is such a small variety for the length of the game that it just helps to underscore just how long the game actually feels.
I really wanted to enjoy Spongebob’s Truth or Square but found the tedium of griding through the levels … tedious. There are some good bits of Bikini Bottom humor sprinkled about for fans, but the game feels more like a chore to get through than a joy.
The Wii version features motion controls for slamming and whatnot if that’s your thing.
I shouldn’t be completely harsh in criticizing the game. There are some good points, most notably the fact that there is co-op, enabling parents and their kids to play together. For those that want it, there’s quite a bit to go through again as other stuff (such as challenges and mini-games) become unlocked. For myself, I felt that the levels were just far too long and arbitrary lacking any real interest other than playing as Spongebob Squarepants. Only the more hardcore (and younger) fan will enjoy the game, but even then they deserve better level and gameplay design.
| What Works | Score |
|---|---|
| + Plenty of Spongebob humor | 6.0 |
| What Doesn't | |
|
- Levels take forever to get through - Substandard gameplay |
|
| Under the Shrink-wrap | |
| It's not a bad game, but it only works for the more hardcore, and younger, fans of the show that don't know any better. | |
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Tags: SpongeBob's Truth or Square
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Nov 18th, 2009 and is filed under Reviews, Wii Reviews, Xbox 360 Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
