Spore

 PC
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2110 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 885 out of 2110
  2. Mixed: 446 out of 2110
  3. Negative: 779 out of 2110
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  1. PeteS.
    Sep 10, 2008
    1
    I installed it on my new vista computer, but it wouldn't run, thinking it was a configuration error of my box I tried it on my brother's computer and it didn't work there either. Luckily I have an old XP comp that my mom uses for email and surfing the web so I checked it on that one, and there it worked (kind of, it crashed because of the old old drivers on there, and the I installed it on my new vista computer, but it wouldn't run, thinking it was a configuration error of my box I tried it on my brother's computer and it didn't work there either. Luckily I have an old XP comp that my mom uses for email and surfing the web so I checked it on that one, and there it worked (kind of, it crashed because of the old old drivers on there, and the gfx card isn't up to the job really) So, anyway I got some help to fix my computer, seems I had to replace my motherboard as it was destroying the memory sticks (same for my bro), I'm not going to mention any brands but I'm never going to buy one from those guys again! Anyway, so now I was going to install the game and play finally, and it won't run! Says something about max installs and verification and whatnot. I went back to the store and they wouldn't switch it for another copy because I "had used all my installs"! What?… Expand
  2. MikeS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    0
    DRM, SecuROM, Rootkits, these things and more can be yours. 3 Installs, which are deducted when a change in hardware such as a video card or mobo occur. Forget being able to play this puppy 15 years from now, you think EA will keep the authentication server up after you can't find any boxed copies of the game anymore? That costs money. Pirates have already cracked it...so the only DRM, SecuROM, Rootkits, these things and more can be yours. 3 Installs, which are deducted when a change in hardware such as a video card or mobo occur. Forget being able to play this puppy 15 years from now, you think EA will keep the authentication server up after you can't find any boxed copies of the game anymore? That costs money. Pirates have already cracked it...so the only people this hurts is the legitimate customer. EA/Maxis...you have failed...… Expand
  3. CJS
    Sep 12, 2008
    0
    Was hoping for some much more, extremely let down by the DRM (I don't really own the game, I'm just renting it from EA), and you can get through the whole game in practically one sitting. I can't believe all those "professional" reviewers did not take those factors into account. Also buggy as could be. With over half a decade of development time, you would think this game Was hoping for some much more, extremely let down by the DRM (I don't really own the game, I'm just renting it from EA), and you can get through the whole game in practically one sitting. I can't believe all those "professional" reviewers did not take those factors into account. Also buggy as could be. With over half a decade of development time, you would think this game would run a little smoother on all systems.… Expand
  4. allane.
    Sep 10, 2008
    1
    Because of the DRM this game will not make it to my pc, which is a real shame because i think as a game it would be really lots of fun but I refuse to support any product that has DRM software attached. If someone can code a hax to remove the DRM then I would love to try it.
  5. JohnJ.
    Sep 10, 2008
    0
    Game kinda totally disappoints, and i don't mean the DRM. I'll let that completely aside. There is no "evolution" in this game. Not one tiny bit. Spore is a combination from 5 minigames, whithout any deeper gameplay, but hold together via a nice Creature-/Vehicle-/Building-Editor. And while the Space Stage is your big sandbox endgame, itself maybe disappoints the most. It is a Game kinda totally disappoints, and i don't mean the DRM. I'll let that completely aside. There is no "evolution" in this game. Not one tiny bit. Spore is a combination from 5 minigames, whithout any deeper gameplay, but hold together via a nice Creature-/Vehicle-/Building-Editor. And while the Space Stage is your big sandbox endgame, itself maybe disappoints the most. It is a extremly watered down, ultralight, lowcarb version of 4X Space games like Galactic Civillization. With the additon of some planetary editing, sims style. The fact that you have only one spaceship, and need to be present at any planet where you want to even look up something, is the worst idea ever brought up by a game developer. Add to that, that you constatly have pirate raids and bio-ecological desasters, you actually have no time to explore and/or sandbox/edit your planets. It ends with you scrolling your mousewheel in and out of stars/planets, flying your spaceship with extremely crappy controls (and especially aiming), and constantly fighting off pirates and eco disasters. No depth evolved anywhere. This game is not casual-friendly, this game is a joke. If you bought the Creature Editor, you alreday got the funpart, the rest is just a fraud to get the other 50 bucks outta your pocket. And that is the result of a seven year developement? I'm sorry, but you failed, Mr. Wright. Reading all the hype and previews, i thought this will be a game about you creating creatures, and looking how they evolve, and if they will even survive. But Spore is far, far away from that. Spore is something else. And i don't like that. I have to admit, i played it the first few hours, and felt fun. But all that time, i kinda was waiting for the "evolution" thing. And after getting from phase to phase, i started to realize, that there is none. It doesn't even matter how you design your creature. You can give it 10 legs and one arm behind the head, without ears and a nose, and in spite of all that it will still reach space stage. Too bad. As a Sim City enthusiast, i really had hopes in Will Wrigth's new game. I really looked forward for something (r)evolutionary. But what came out, is some kind of kids game, even worse then The Sims.… Expand
  6. BrianA.
    Sep 14, 2008
    1
    Rating a 1 based on DRM. The DRM ruined this game for me, so I dont even play it anymore. I'm removing it from my PC and eating the $50 loss. I've learned my lesson. I'm no longer buying games as soon as they come out. I will wait to see how unfair the DRM is first.
  7. AnonAnon
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    DRM has ruined this game, but that is not the only problem. EA and Will Wright have willingly admitted to dumbing down te game experience to the extreme just for good sales. Will, you have lost my respect.
  8. FrankN.
    Sep 14, 2008
    1
    I don't see what all the excitement is over this game. I was expecting it to be at least fun lol. Pretty boring, feels like 5 unrelated games none of which are fun at all, and omg the controls suck! And you can't change them. What a pos.
  9. LeoK.
    Sep 15, 2008
    1
    My Spore Review Or
  10. BrandonS
    Sep 15, 2008
    1
    I'm not a crook, so don't treat me like a crook, this is not the way to treat your customers EA.
  11. LoBiN.
    Sep 10, 2008
    1
    Who wants to have to com with authentication server everytime you want to play and once the drm gets hacked how many legit users will get locked out because the authentication servers cant really tell it just goes on errors (any errors!).
  12. JohnL
    Sep 15, 2008
    9
    Pros: Ability for creativity is nearly unlimited. Creators/Editors are fantastic. What you do in all the stages before Space stage drastically effect how you play the Space stage. Cons: UI is a bit oversimplified. Tribe and Civ stage are a tad boring - not enough room for creativity. Not quite what we were all hoping for. Summary: Worth $50, but not much more.
  13. JimC.
    Sep 10, 2008
    1
    After purchasing the garbage I learned that I had 3 installs. I installed it at work, then installed it at home. My home installation failed so I went to install again, and the activation servers failed it.. I had to call in, work my way through 20 minutes of prompts and hold times just to be told that I couldn't install it anymore. They literally told me I couldn't have another After purchasing the garbage I learned that I had 3 installs. I installed it at work, then installed it at home. My home installation failed so I went to install again, and the activation servers failed it.. I had to call in, work my way through 20 minutes of prompts and hold times just to be told that I couldn't install it anymore. They literally told me I couldn't have another activation. DO NOT BUY!… Expand
  14. LeifP.
    Sep 10, 2008
    2
    This got to be the biggest pile of poo long seen, it feels like its designed and made for 5 -10 year olds.. i made it all the way into space and i lost interest.. not something for a 31 year old guy.
  15. JS
    Sep 3, 2008
    0
    The draconian DRM makes this game unpurchasable- The best you can manage is to rent it for a little while, before your copy becomes unplayable. That said, I would dearly love to purchase this game, if EA ever takes their head out of the sand.
  16. Chuck
    Sep 30, 2008
    2
    I bought the game because it was supposed to be a fun exploration of evolution and then turn into a civ game. This game has nothing to do with evolution, unless you're a creationist, and the civ part of the game is not as good as already existing civ games. I tried to force myself to play it and couldn't because it's so boring. I suppose it might be fun for children under I bought the game because it was supposed to be a fun exploration of evolution and then turn into a civ game. This game has nothing to do with evolution, unless you're a creationist, and the civ part of the game is not as good as already existing civ games. I tried to force myself to play it and couldn't because it's so boring. I suppose it might be fun for children under 10, but as an edu-tainment package it falls short in edu and tainment.… Expand
  17. [Anonymous]
    Sep 6, 2008
    10
    Spore simply put, is an amazing game. It cannot be judge by any single stage. It's five separate games smashed into one, and meant to be played in sequence. There are only three problems with this game: 1) You have to collect spice manually to make money in space. 2) The Grox are unbeatable. 3) You have to unlock bodyparts every time you play the game. Other than those three Spore simply put, is an amazing game. It cannot be judge by any single stage. It's five separate games smashed into one, and meant to be played in sequence. There are only three problems with this game: 1) You have to collect spice manually to make money in space. 2) The Grox are unbeatable. 3) You have to unlock bodyparts every time you play the game. Other than those three problems, the game is pretty much flawless.… Expand
  18. RanbirC.
    Sep 6, 2008
    10
    Phenomenal. Take your time, enjoy the procedurally generated world. Relish in the thousands of unique creations that continue to populate your universe and dynamically change the very fabric of it.
  19. ZennyX
    Sep 6, 2008
    9
    Perfect, if it wasen't for the SECURE-ROM being shipped with it thise would be the god game.
  20. BobW.
    Sep 7, 2008
    10
    This game is soo fun. I like that you can play your creatures. I also enjoyed that you have to try and survive!
  21. MP.
    Sep 8, 2008
    8
    In first 5 hrs I made it to Tribal stage. Cell stage was cute but a tad boring. Creature stage was a hoot and fun to design my "evolving creature." I'm anxious to get through the remainder of the game and have so far really enjoying the customization and "free will" concept of the game. I think this is a good investment for young & old, and novice and hard-core gamers alike. :)
  22. SteveM.
    Oct 18, 2008
    2
    The creature creator is the only interesting part of this game. The gameplay itself is incredibly bland, unbelievably easy and there is absolutely no replay value whatsoever.
  23. coopw.
    Sep 4, 2008
    9
    In space stage now and it took less than 10 hours. Like all the critics say it is very abstract and interesting. A fun hybrid game yet I'm not sure how much time I'll actually put into it.
  24. JoshK.
    Sep 5, 2008
    10
    This game is great fun! Sure, it doesnt have the complexity of a great RTS in Tribal or Civ stages, nor is it very deep in the 3rd person combat of Creature stage. But the variation on each stage, and the ability to make anything almost *exactly* like you want is great fun!
  25. LiamG.
    Sep 6, 2008
    8
    The game peaks in the middle with the tribal and civilisation definitely taking the best parts of the game, in my opinion. Space age is repetitive and a touch boring, but all around it is a great game, and if only they'd made the first 4 stages an extra hour longer each, they game would have a lot more meat to it.
  26. KayD.
    Sep 7, 2008
    9
    I'm only into the beginning of the Space phase, but so far it's been a blast. I'm not giving it 10 because: 1) SecuROM; 2) It took a while and some forum reading to get it to install and run properly; 3) There are definitely more than a few bugs and deficits. Still, that's nothing that can't be fixed with a change of policy and a patch. I'm optimistic. I'm only into the beginning of the Space phase, but so far it's been a blast. I'm not giving it 10 because: 1) SecuROM; 2) It took a while and some forum reading to get it to install and run properly; 3) There are definitely more than a few bugs and deficits. Still, that's nothing that can't be fixed with a change of policy and a patch. I'm optimistic. It's been worth the wait.… Expand
  27. TreborL
    Feb 18, 2009
    10
    I'm in a bit of disbelief. DRM sucks, yes, however, that is not enough to justify ever giving a good simulator/game a bad rating. Over 2.7million people have purchased Spore. Something has been done correctly given those numbers. It is unfair to rate spore as a normal game. Firstly, it does not cater towards the Strategy or First Person Shooter crowds, or the group known (and I'm in a bit of disbelief. DRM sucks, yes, however, that is not enough to justify ever giving a good simulator/game a bad rating. Over 2.7million people have purchased Spore. Something has been done correctly given those numbers. It is unfair to rate spore as a normal game. Firstly, it does not cater towards the Strategy or First Person Shooter crowds, or the group known (and mislabled as) 'core gamers'. If anyone remembers the Sims, it took years for it to become recognized as a game itself. It faced almost exactly the same reviews and complaints. Folks, Spore is NOT a game. It is a simulator that has game like elements put into it. spore itself is quite refreshing to play once you understand this core fact. It is intended as a playground for social and economic experiments. I personally took off from spore for about a month before I got back into it. I had gone into the game originally with a few wants to get out of it but, the fact that I now understand that it is a simulator just like SimCity and the Sims allows me to get a new level of enjoyment from creating in Spore. The game elements are incredibly simple because if you made each and every stage a fully fledged game, you'd have something too complex that goes out of the demographic they wanted to hit (Females, Children, and in general Simulation lovers). It is a creators paradise and it is a joy to see all the stuff one has created in action. THAT is why the games exist. The entertainment is in creating and seeing what happens. I will concede that a few elements can be a bit repetitive (pirate attacks occur frequently in the space stage and the uber-turret simply isnt enough to deal with the problem in many cases) however, that does not interfere with the playground aspect. Spore knows exactly what it is and what it isnt thankfully. It is simple, its always good to return to, and in no other game are you going to be able to see something you've created come to life (even if it is simulated).… Expand
  28. SJT-Ruler*
    Feb 2, 2009
    10
    To begin with, there's been MUCH hate towards Spore and EA, which is partly fair since the original Spore looked much better and contained much more, the old version may have well been one of the best games ever. Other than that, the "new" Spore somehow changed completely and was dumbed down while the community that asked for the return of all the promised parts of the game is still To begin with, there's been MUCH hate towards Spore and EA, which is partly fair since the original Spore looked much better and contained much more, the old version may have well been one of the best games ever. Other than that, the "new" Spore somehow changed completely and was dumbed down while the community that asked for the return of all the promised parts of the game is still being ignored as of today. That being said, it's sad but true, a good game is getting SERIOUSLY milked by their creators. HOWEVER, please realise, that this is not something were you should rate a game down for, look at the average user review here, like 4.5? Even if the game is dumbed down, stop comparing it with older Spore versions and rate Spore for what it is now, if you are a gamer at least use the intelligence to do that. What game already allows you to be SO creative? What game already allows you to conquer 5 million planets? If I'd conquer about 20 planets an hour and be online for 24/7, I'd still take 27 years to finish the game COMPLETELY. Trust me, I don't even take 20 planets an hour nor I am 24/7 online. With this being said, Spore is perhaps less than the Spore that was promised, but it is still one of the most user-friendly and biggest games that will ever exist, this is not an opinion but a fact.… Expand
  29. ClaireStire
    Apr 1, 2009
    10
    There is so much to love about Spore; creating, sharing, battling, eating, befriending, and so much more that I can't name it all. With the ability to create a creture, evolve it, and controll it, there's no end to the different paths you can choose from! A must-have for the creative mind.
  30. ThaHat[NONE]
    Dec 10, 2009
    10
    Its pretty cool. Here's practically how I see it: You start as a little cell in the water, survive larger cells about 5 to 10 times bigger than you, and then you move to land, like a snake or snail, raptor or rat, epic either way you make your creature! And then you begin to live in a tribe like the Indian Ojibwa, or African Zulu, etc, etc, etc. Then you move to the stage humans are Its pretty cool. Here's practically how I see it: You start as a little cell in the water, survive larger cells about 5 to 10 times bigger than you, and then you move to land, like a snake or snail, raptor or rat, epic either way you make your creature! And then you begin to live in a tribe like the Indian Ojibwa, or African Zulu, etc, etc, etc. Then you move to the stage humans are in now *maybe a bit more advanced* and make a small civilization, fighting or allying with your own speicies. When you dominate your own planet, you go intergalactic, like starwars, or startrek..or...you get the idea. You can go around destroying other speices and taking their planet, or allying with spieces to make your way through the galaxy. But watch out for Grox! Mischivious empire like 16 solar systems big, in the middle of the galaxy, and not so nice! In space, work your way from Universal pawn to king of the universe, earning badges!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best PC Game of 2008
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
4
#4 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. Play (Poland)
    90
    How to design a game that spans from swimming in a drop of water to ruling the galaxy? Will Wright knows how: as simple as possible. Spore deserves success on "The Sims" scale. [Sept 2008]
  2. PC Gamer UK
    91
    Spore's triumph is painfully ironic. By setting out to instill a sense of wonderment at creation and the majesty of the universe, it's shown us that it's actually a lot more interesting to sit here at our computers and explore the contents of each other's brains. [October 2008, p.64]
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  3. PTGamers
    100
    Spore manages quite some feats – it's accessible for casual gamers, but at the same time so real and dynamic, able to offer hardcore gamers a demanding experience and, obviously, a more appealing one than in "The Sims".
    Read full review
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