Darkspore

 PC
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 52
  3. Negative: 1 out of 52
  1. Game Informer
    Apr 26, 2011
    85
    Spore is an infinitely more unique and nuanced experience than Darkspore, but in the end, Darkspore is much more likely to stick around in the gamer psyche. It may not do anything particularly new, but the way it polishes and riffs on known gaming conventions should leave you happily clicking on bad guys and collecting new body parts late into the night.
  2. GamingXP
    Mar 31, 2011
    85
    Collect, develop and coop. These are the things which Darkspore uses to keep gamers in front of the screen.
  3. Ten Ton Hammer
    Apr 29, 2011
    84
    A wonderful tideover game with solid gameplay, excellent collection & loot chase values, all the varied difficulty and challenge you could want, and a beautiful presentation to back it all up. But perhaps the developers paid a little too much attention to the enthusiastic beta playerbase and over-estimated the gaming mainstream's willingness to grind.
  5. 1UP
    May 2, 2011
    83
    Even when the least exciting elements of the game eat up half of my playtime, I still find an excuse to fire up Darkspore every single day.
  6. PC Games (Russia)
    May 6, 2011
    80
    A videogame analog of "weird fiction" genre, Darkspore maintains a fine balance between Diablo-style gameplay and surprisingly immersive sci-fi setting. [June 2011, p.86]
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  7. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 27, 2011
    80
    With this game Maxis owes a debt to Blizzard but these guys also have a deep and varied videogame. Darkspore is a very good hack & slash with huge replay value and relevant spikes of gameplay.
  8. Everyeye.it
    Apr 26, 2011
    80
    Waiting for the return of Diablo, this new Hack'n'Slash pleases the gamer, thanks to the great variety of situations and characters.
  9. Gamers.at
    Apr 29, 2011
    78
    DarkSpore is technically a good game, but unfortunately only technically. The gameplay becomes very soon quite boring even so you can play with your friends, which makes it slightly better. Long term motivation is the thing that DarkSpore lacks the most.
  10. RPG Fan
    May 5, 2011
    76
    Darkspore may touch the imagination in ways Diablo doesn't, but the gameplay cannot move beyond the mechanical and the meaningless.
  11. PC Games
    May 20, 2011
    75
    Darkspore features addictive gameplay and fun character customization, but lacks in storytelling and long term motivation.
  12. SpazioGames
    May 9, 2011
    75
    Darkspore is a pretty good game with some brilliant ideas, but its extremely repetitive gameplay spoils the fun. Still a good choice for the hack'n'slash lovers, while they wait for Diablo III.
  13. GameSpot
    Apr 29, 2011
    75
    What it lacks in variety and narrative, Darkspore makes up for with fun cooperative combat and character customization that deepens the more you play.
  14. Meristation
    Apr 27, 2011
    75
    Darkspore takes some parts of the evolution simulator Spore, but not enough to create a title able to beat its alternatives. If we forget that there once was a game called Spore, Maxis's new job is a fluid, agile and fun ARPG, perhaps too simple and repetitive but with enough hours of fun. A good way to spend time, but if you want greater depth you will find better it in other alternatives.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 138 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 138
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 138
  3. Negative: 46 out of 138
  1. ttocs
    Apr 27, 2011
    9
    Don't let the name fool you. This is not some spore game wrapped around an action RPG. There is little resemblance here to Spore other thanDon't let the name fool you. This is not some spore game wrapped around an action RPG. There is little resemblance here to Spore other than the editor that is found in the game. That's a good thing too, since the editor was one of the defining features of the mostly forgettable Spore game. What you will find in Darkspore is an action RPG that scratches your dungeon crawling itch while scratching the collecting enthusiast and artist in you. You'll spend hours building up your team, grinding away for body parts and equipment, and tag teaming bosses with either friends or random people. I rarely play co-op in games and when I do, it's usually after a couple days or after the campaign. I found myself playing the co-op on the first day though due to the ease of matchmaking and the fun to be had. Don't let the negative reviews scare you, this is a great game for dungeon crawling fans and Pokemon like collector fans alike.… Full Review »
  2. SuperSebbles
    Apr 26, 2011
    8
    In the same way people enjoyed Torchlight as a "Diablo 2 LITE" experience. So can you enjoy Darkspore. Don't expect it to be and incredibleIn the same way people enjoyed Torchlight as a "Diablo 2 LITE" experience. So can you enjoy Darkspore. Don't expect it to be and incredible world-shifting experience. But it is solid RPG fun and with co-op to boot! Recommended to those looking for casual RPG fun.… Full Review »
  3. Gankatron
    Apr 27, 2011
    8
    The user ratings for this game will vary greatly depending upon the play style of players; micromanagers who like to try differentThe user ratings for this game will vary greatly depending upon the play style of players; micromanagers who like to try different permutations in combat will be very pleased, whereas those who want to just jump in and point and shoot will likely find it tedious. There are many different combinations of heroes, squad compositions, items, and tactics that can keep one busy experimenting for quite a while; even figuring out the best hero switching combinations are important. This is more of a technical type of game where you figure out the best type of game mechanics for a scenario, as opposed to a story driven game. It would likely appeal to the crowd that likes the Mechwarrior, build your bot squad types such as myself. I havenâ… Full Review »
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