SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab Review





Developer: Blitz Games Publisher: THQ
Release Date: October 16, 2006 Also On: None

My familiarity with the SpongeBob SquarePants license comes solely from the console version of Battle for Bikini Bottom from 2003, which was the first review copy I ever got as a reviewer for Game Freaks 365. A decent game, it was enough to nearly convince me to become interested in the SpongeBob franchise, and was more than enough to convince me that licensed games didn’t always have to be quality-challenged. I am pleased to announce that Creature from the Krusty Krab, although not as highly impressive as Battle for Bikini Bottom, is certainly a more than competent effort on the part of THQ nonetheless.

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Graphically, there are no overly noticeable differences from Battle for Bikini Bottom, except in some sections where the graphics are a completely different style, a different style which is appropriate for the environment given the circumstances of those levels. Still, this graphical style and quality works just as well for a SpongeBob game as it did back then, so I won’t be too hard on them for using recycled graphics.

In terms of sound, the music is pretty good, but not necessarily memorable. It fits the environments well though. The sound effects are the same typical platformer fare for the most part, although some of them are humorous and add to the humor level of the game. The voice acting in this game is just as well done and just as hilarious as that in Battle for Bikini Bottom. Overall, I have no real complaints regarding the sound.

Most of the gameplay is platformer based. Depending on which character you’re using in the platformer levels, every character can double-jump and attack. SpongeBob and Patrick have a smash move to smash crates and hit buttons, and they also have a dash move that is reminiscent of Pac-Man’s rev roll in Pac-Man World 2 that can stun some enemies and also move heavy objects. In addition to these, SpongeBob can swing from hooks and Patrick can blow massive amounts of wind. This amounts to a decent amount of abilities compared to most platformers.

Unlike Battle for Bikini Bottom, you don’t change characters in the middle of the levels. Instead, each world plays out as the dream of one particular character. Some levels involve things other than platforming though, such as SpongeBob’s racecar levels in the first area. These levels are just as exciting and well-designed as the platformer levels and often supply a much-needed change of pace to the rest of the game.

That’s not to say that the platformer levels are bad, only that they are very linear and that sometimes they can get a slight bit repetitive over time. This comes from the fact that the enemies, regardless of their appearance based on what dream you’re currently in, usually employ the same attack patterns throughout the game, leaving you with the impression that you’re only doing the same things over and over. There’s also quite a bit of platform jumping in this game, and most of the puzzles are recycled multiple times. It never gets so repetitive as to get dull, but it would get old if it weren’t for the diversionary levels that play differently.

Regardless of the more linear nature of this game compared to Battle for Bikini Bottom, the platforming in this game is fun, and it is a fairly lengthy game. And, in addition to the main game, you can freely play any of the mini-games that can be found throughout the game, or you can go back to particular sections of levels, probably to look for character icons that you missed. Finding these has some effect on the ending, although, having only played through the game once, I don’t know exactly what effect. All of this adds up to a game that is more than good enough and long enough to be worth a look to the diehard SpongeBob fan at the very least, and probably to the general fan of platformers as well.

Graphics: 6
Sound: 8
Gameplay: 8
Creativity: 6
Replay Value/Game Length: 7
Final: 7
Written by Martin Review Guide

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