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. DmitryA
    Sep 12, 2008
    5
    Perhaps the most annoying thing about that many haven't mentioned..is how the game is marketed. EA forces the consumer to choose between a physical copy that can be played offline( but ownership is lost if the key is lost) and the downloadable version( that you can never lose) but has to be played online. Why can't EA be like Steam? Once you own a game, it should always be Perhaps the most annoying thing about that many haven't mentioned..is how the game is marketed. EA forces the consumer to choose between a physical copy that can be played offline( but ownership is lost if the key is lost) and the downloadable version( that you can never lose) but has to be played online. Why can't EA be like Steam? Once you own a game, it should always be accessible through your account wherever you are. Spore's cool though, I hope that Maxis will release expansions for it like they did for Sims.… Expand
  2. CRoth
    Sep 12, 2008
    2
    The promise of Spore was that the adaptations one applied to a creature would perform similarly to adaptations in a natural scheme of evolution: long arms allow access to food up in trees, larger teeth mean better attacks, eyes on opposite sides of the skull allow for better surveillance of potential danger. These are the advantages of evolution: they confer a selective advantage of The promise of Spore was that the adaptations one applied to a creature would perform similarly to adaptations in a natural scheme of evolution: long arms allow access to food up in trees, larger teeth mean better attacks, eyes on opposite sides of the skull allow for better surveillance of potential danger. These are the advantages of evolution: they confer a selective advantage of organisms to exist in an environment of heat, wind, light, dark, predators, etc... Sproe shows none of this intellectual promise, absolutely none. Instead, Spore is simply a combination of ersatz games with the addition creature design that confers nothing except aesthetic value. And all the talk of the limitless possibilities are meaningless: user-generated content is fine, but when the scope of that content is nothing more than skin-deep, who cares? When I first heard about Spore, I was thrilled to think someone would make a game truly based on adaptation. I expected physical traits to confer advantage, and thus to simulate a basic form of evolution. Did EA get frightened off due to the anachronistic and downright pathetic argument over some purely fabricated conflict between the Theory of Evolution and Judeo-Christian ethos? Have we seen yet another casualty of this moronic culture war tha's been drummed up by political operatives? Have we Americans completely forsaken any kind of intellectual advancement in our entertainment for fear that a consumer-bloc might refuse to consume? Spore offered a profound advancement in gaming: a real intelligent design produced by the gamer him/herself. It offered a real evolution of gaming, and an opportunity to educate through real fun. Instead, it is a shadow of a game, a waste of fifty dollars, and a complete supplication to a bottom line of profit rather than quality. I can't imagine who is truly responsible for the failures of this game, and others, that likely fall prey to the approvals necessary in corporate production, but surely someone is responsible for taking a good idea and dragging it through the mud. And as for all the gaming magazines, subsidized by manufacturer advertising, the incestuous relationship is obvious: there is little or no objective review of the gaming industry. Reviewers are clearly reluctant to criticize a major flop from a big company. Between a production company that clearly missed the boat and reviewers blinded by proximity to their subject, it would seem that everyone dropped the ball on Spore. My only hope is that Mr. Wright, who has shown extraordinary genius in his previous ventures, will rise to the occasion and offer an expansion pack (which ought to be free, cause this thing isn't worth ten bucks, much less fifty), that will make this game the smart product is ought to have been.… Expand
  3. NormC.
    Sep 12, 2008
    0
    3 activations? Even if this game was the best in the world... (which it isnt by the way) i am NOT putting up with draconian DRM on my games. EA fooled me once with Battlefield. NEVER AGAIN.
  4. 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
  5. AnonymousMC
    Sep 12, 2008
    1
    The "game" is boring, repetitive and lacking in any real content at all. It requires - nay - completely consists in the latter stages of very simple and repetitive tasks. This tedium is all you have, especially in the Space segment.
    This game is all style and no substance. It will woo you with the hype and once you are suckered in and lost your money you'll realise all you have is    The "game" is boring, repetitive and lacking in any real content at all. It requires - nay - completely consists in the latter stages of very simple and repetitive tasks. This tedium is all you have, especially in the Space segment.
    This game is all style and no substance. It will woo you with the hype and once you are suckered in and lost your money you'll realise all you have is a lemon.

    DO NOT BUY THIS AWFUL GAME.    … Expand
  6. JR
    Sep 12, 2008
    2
    A big disappointment. Creating the creatures is fun for a bit but the gameplay is awful. It felt like I was playing a game made for special kids in school. Creating a creature after the first evolutionary step is fun for a bit. The rest of the gameplay is simply, incredibly boring. I found myself rushing through the more boring and repetative parts of the game in order to "get to the good A big disappointment. Creating the creatures is fun for a bit but the gameplay is awful. It felt like I was playing a game made for special kids in school. Creating a creature after the first evolutionary step is fun for a bit. The rest of the gameplay is simply, incredibly boring. I found myself rushing through the more boring and repetative parts of the game in order to "get to the good bit" but, alas, that never came. Absolute rubbish! The only reason this game gets 2 points is because it looks nice and creating a creature is fun, but you can do that on the demo.… Expand
  7. dsalas
    Sep 12, 2008
    3
    I purchased this game but did not open; was waiting for reviews. drm was an issue but one that i figured i could bear with. almost opened the game but when i found out that each install only allowed one player not multiple household players with different saved games or even one player with different saved games, i knew then this was one game i would be returning.
  8. AnonymousMC
    Sep 12, 2008
    5
    So after reading some of the reviews , I realized it wasn't just me. This game actually is flawed. There are some good moments and some fantastic design tools but overall i worked through some less than spectacular game play to get to the "space Age"...only to be given the task of setting up a trade route, then be blown up or attacked at nearly every planet i visited.
    For 2 hours I    So after reading some of the reviews , I realized it wasn't just me. This game actually is flawed. There are some good moments and some fantastic design tools but overall i worked through some less than spectacular game play to get to the "space Age"...only to be given the task of setting up a trade route, then be blown up or attacked at nearly every planet i visited.
    For 2 hours I basically watched my "space ship" get rebuilt, over and over and over and over and over.......    … Expand
  9. MB
    Sep 12, 2008
    0
    This is yet another attempt to control the end user through the use of DRM. Avoid this game and avoid ALL EA games until they put the user before their own visions of greatness.
  10. AnonymousMC
    Sep 12, 2008
    2
    Tries to do everything and ends up doing nothing particularly well. Modifying the creature is academic as the game just glosses over your mods and lumps your creature into its own general categories. The game seems to rush you to the space age, but once you get there the game deteriorates into a frustrating series of zooms in and out of planets and star systems.
  11. Headlesslizard
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Loved it! Amazing kept me occuppied for weeks. I failed my A levels but when spore came out i didnt care as i could be what i wanted within the video game which i couldn't be in reality.
  12. SimonB.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Great game for creative people.
  13. 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
  14. D.Nettleton
    Sep 12, 2008
    8
    Good game, I don't need to install it on more than two computers, I found it interesting and fun to play over in different ways. Not Half-Life or Doom, just a fun creature sim.
  15. RebelS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    1
    When I first heard about this I was intrigued,
  16. J.T.F.
    Sep 12, 2008
    2
    First I have to say this Game would get a 4.5 or 5.0 if it would not have the the compy protection in which I ran about 48h after buying the game through a unfortunate Harddisk crash. To the game itself. It did engage me for about 12h. Then it was done. and the replay value is quite limited, since besides nice looking things you can not change realy any functionality. Nice System and First I have to say this Game would get a 4.5 or 5.0 if it would not have the the compy protection in which I ran about 48h after buying the game through a unfortunate Harddisk crash. To the game itself. It did engage me for about 12h. Then it was done. and the replay value is quite limited, since besides nice looking things you can not change realy any functionality. Nice System and Laboratory, but not for 48… Expand
  17. ScottC
    Sep 12, 2008
    6
    Horrible DRM aside (although it did cost me 2 out of my 3 allowed activations just to get it working on Vista), once you get past the creature creator, its an average "game" at best. Making cartoon characters does have a reasonable amount of charm for a while, but it wears off, and then its clear that its only a bunch of shallow minigames built around the creature creator. It has nothing Horrible DRM aside (although it did cost me 2 out of my 3 allowed activations just to get it working on Vista), once you get past the creature creator, its an average "game" at best. Making cartoon characters does have a reasonable amount of charm for a while, but it wears off, and then its clear that its only a bunch of shallow minigames built around the creature creator. It has nothing near the depth and satisfaction of a dedicated Civ builder or sim/strategy game. It seems like it would most appeal to kids under the age of 14. Any reviewers scoring this, as a "game", higher than 7.5, are not to be trusted in the future, as theyre clearly on the EA take, like half the industry is on this Hypefest. The emperor has no clothes.… Expand
  18. HenrikA
    Sep 11, 2008
    2
    This 2game" does'nt deliver nearly enough game. It all becomes one giant snooze fest even before you manage to play through it once. And I had such high hopes...
  19. JimboH.
    Sep 11, 2008
    4
    Lets review here: This is a game for casual gamers, yet requires a pretty decent computer that casual gamers wouldn't have. Its gameplay is simple and introductory, the kind of game to introduce you to other genres (so in other words, seems geared towards kids), yet you have to be 13 and older to use the online content (the whole point of the game really) and thanks to the penis Lets review here: This is a game for casual gamers, yet requires a pretty decent computer that casual gamers wouldn't have. Its gameplay is simple and introductory, the kind of game to introduce you to other genres (so in other words, seems geared towards kids), yet you have to be 13 and older to use the online content (the whole point of the game really) and thanks to the penis creatures and filthy named creatures you may come across, its not suitable for kids. Additionally, the explanation for the stages I found to be insufficient for casual gamers (i.e. my girlfriend), and the fact you only get one game save means that it is indeed possible to save the game at the verge of destruction and be forced to start over from scratch. Thats not very casual friendly. Once you buy the game and realize that there isn't much to it at all, you'll probably want to sell it. Then something starts to make sense. You cannot return this game. You cannot give it to someone else (it's tied to your EA account), and you can only install it 3 times, with uninstalling it NOT giving you back an install. Honestly, who wants to join me in a class action lawsuit, no where on this box does it state that limitation.… Expand
  20. Charlie
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    A great game in all stages. Some stages could have been extended but that is not a significant issue. The DRM is not really a problem, you can install the game three times and then if you want to install again you need to call EA. I don't think it will stop pirating, but it's no reason to give it a zero.
  21. AdamB
    Sep 11, 2008
    0
    This game was fun for the first 10 minutes, before my guy became a tribe. Upon further recollection, the fact that once you collect so many pieces of meat or green whatevers you can't add more DNA points is pretty annoying. When you get to the creature stage, all you can do is run around killing or singing/dancing/shaking your behind/whatever and going back to the nest to have This game was fun for the first 10 minutes, before my guy became a tribe. Upon further recollection, the fact that once you collect so many pieces of meat or green whatevers you can't add more DNA points is pretty annoying. When you get to the creature stage, all you can do is run around killing or singing/dancing/shaking your behind/whatever and going back to the nest to have another generation. It gets really repetitive and boring very quickly. There seemed to be a lot of replayability, but in reality, it's just the same thing over and over again. At least with SimCity, you could build your city in different ways, but there is only one path in this game, really... eat plants or meat, kill or impress other creatures, play music for or kill other tribes, etc. I can't believe how much the critics are wrong on this issue. It is obvious they are bought off by EA. My 6 year old nephew who has been playing Age of Empires (the original!) got bored with how easy SPORE was. That's how incredibly worthless this game is... a 10 year old game is more challenging than Spore is. Simply a waste.… Expand
  22. DR.
    Sep 11, 2008
    6
    I found this title to be over rated by many of the game reviewers I once trusted. It seems EA might be giving them a little more than just a preview copy of the game. Upon purchasing this overpriced game for only three installs I decided to review it on gameplay alone. Forget the 3 install problem and look at the gameplay. Graphics are colorful but not mind-blowing, Soundtrack, well there I found this title to be over rated by many of the game reviewers I once trusted. It seems EA might be giving them a little more than just a preview copy of the game. Upon purchasing this overpriced game for only three installs I decided to review it on gameplay alone. Forget the 3 install problem and look at the gameplay. Graphics are colorful but not mind-blowing, Soundtrack, well there really isn't one but slight grunts. Style, this is where the game is yes unique, but it seems to be very limited. Each of the stages you go through you seem to have resources everywhere and are easily accessible. It is true that you have many different objects you can place on your creature but only certain ones can be matched to be visually pleasing. If you go far too complicated some of the motions your creature will do look terrible and messy. Yes its nice we can design a bunch of things throughout the world. Your limited by the amount of what you do with it. Sure you can through fifty spikey balls on your face but it comes off looking cluttered. I gave this game a 6 because the stages do get boring even after you have made 3 - 4 different creatures. It just appears to be the same old song and dance, or song and attack strategy. I remember the days when game developers release the full game and not just partial chunks to earn more profit. This game clearly appears to be only half complete.… Expand
  23. AlexG.
    Sep 11, 2008
    2
    Totally unfulfilling/nonexistent gameplay. No-brainer action mixed with level grinding. If you like that, this is your game. The Creature Creator is all very well but is pretty much irrelevant as all the important elements are either gone or reduced to simple stat-boosters; editing basically makes no difference to gameplay whatsoever.
  24. MarcosO.
    Sep 11, 2008
    0
    ... 4 years of waiting, 59.95
  25. CherylK.
    Sep 11, 2008
    9
    I think for those that got their hopes up that Spore would be anything like the initial preview way back when will be in for a sorry disappointment. Spore has turned out to be far simplistic than most expected. I say it suffers in that it's trying to engage two different kinds of player, the casual and the more "hardcore" variety. Unfortunately Spore itself can't quite make up I think for those that got their hopes up that Spore would be anything like the initial preview way back when will be in for a sorry disappointment. Spore has turned out to be far simplistic than most expected. I say it suffers in that it's trying to engage two different kinds of player, the casual and the more "hardcore" variety. Unfortunately Spore itself can't quite make up its own mind on how to play. It is neither Casual nor Hardcore but rather an in between that doesn't quite fulfill the criteria that these two types desire. I feel Spore in on itself has all the feelings of a prototype and with a bit more evolution it can become a shining jewel in any gamers collection. I will say wait for a sequel because it'll more than likely blow your mind but get this version still because for all it's short comings it's still a unique and fascinating game which everyone should play through if only once for the experience.… Expand
  26. BF
    Sep 11, 2008
    8
    Okay, Securom DRM sucks, I can't argue with that, although at least it doesn't pollute your OS on Mac like it does on Windows. Yes, each of the types of gameplay in Spore is relatively shallow compared to games that specialize in a particular genre, although my only major issue with the space stage is that it's difficult to get back for homeworld emergency missions when Okay, Securom DRM sucks, I can't argue with that, although at least it doesn't pollute your OS on Mac like it does on Windows. Yes, each of the types of gameplay in Spore is relatively shallow compared to games that specialize in a particular genre, although my only major issue with the space stage is that it's difficult to get back for homeworld emergency missions when you're halfway to the galactic center. But! As a package deal, Spore appeals to the kind of gamer who enjoys Sim City and related games. It has a "cool" factor that is tough to quantify. It's about customization more than anything else. Maxis makes no bones about it -- all the stuff leading up to the space stage is basically a fun, brief, unlocking process. Space stage is the bulk of the game and if you don't enjoy space trading games, you will not enjoy Spore. Unless... you love creating, exploring, and sharing your creations with others. The online sharing of user generated content isn't really new, but it's a first for a game of this kind. You are "locked in" to whatever RTS and MMO games decide you should have, unless you want to shell out for expansion packs. Spore effectively lets you make the expansion packs. If you think you should be getting paid to do that... try getting a job as a game designer. :P If EA will enter the 21st century and get rid of the limited activations, which people will just crack anyway, maybe people will focus on the good qualities of the game itself instead of throwing the baby out with the bath water.… Expand
  27. seans.
    Sep 11, 2008
    1
    EA has failed us once again there is no challenge effort or in depth game play everything was cut short and the space age was boring colonize planets make money you have the only ship for youre entire race it would be great if you could build fleets and invade planets but you cant its like playing asteroids a version of glactic civs with the enhanced graphics would be a far more EA has failed us once again there is no challenge effort or in depth game play everything was cut short and the space age was boring colonize planets make money you have the only ship for youre entire race it would be great if you could build fleets and invade planets but you cant its like playing asteroids a version of glactic civs with the enhanced graphics would be a far more entertaining game the ai is horrible kill or make peace lame dissapointing save youre 50$ im selling my copy on Ebay.… Expand
  28. Menzel
    Sep 11, 2008
    4
    The creator parts are really cool, unfortunately this is quickly killed by a lack of any real game to use them in. Every phase of "evolution" is like a watered down, badly done version of some other genre. I give the creation portion a 10, the rest of the game gets a 3.
  29. BS
    Sep 11, 2008
    0
    Terrible game after all the hype. Glad I pirated it first to check it out. Uninstalled after 3 hours.
  30. RyanH.
    Sep 11, 2008
    1
    Having used this game since it's launch, on my roomates account, I can say that the game itself is not half bad. It isn't what it could have been, and it sure isn't worth 50 $ but it's fun enough to keep me interested for a couple weeks. At least it would be if we were able to play it anymore. The absolute crap DRM bundled with the game has meant that we are now Having used this game since it's launch, on my roomates account, I can say that the game itself is not half bad. It isn't what it could have been, and it sure isn't worth 50 $ but it's fun enough to keep me interested for a couple weeks. At least it would be if we were able to play it anymore. The absolute crap DRM bundled with the game has meant that we are now waiting on EA to give him more activations. He put it on his laptop, and it looked horrible and recommended he update his video drivers for his onboard graphics.... which we did. It still only looked so/so, thus we put it on my computer, no problem. He had ordered a new PC before the game came out, and I had piggy backed my new monitor on his order, they arrived yesterday. First thing on, spore... which now tells him it has reached the install limit ! I tried to put it on mine, with my shiny new 22" LCD. Same thing. Presumably I have a "new" computer since I changed my monitor, and he got a " new " laptop when he updated his video drivers. Now we have to either phone EA at 1.99$ a minute and beg for another activation, or email them which I am led to understand takes months. This is pathetic for something that he paid 50$ for. I might even have bought the damn thing if I had worked out... Next time I'll be more likely to listen to the online crowd rather than put my trust in EA... scratch that, there won't be a 'next time'. I think I will be putting on an eye patch in the future, Yarr!… 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

All reviews »
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]
    Read full review
  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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