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. StephenK.
    Sep 13, 2008
    0
    If i felt comfortable installing this, it would be a 6. The game is VERY dumbed down with your characters appearance and evolution having little efect on gameplay other than aesthetic. But with the DRM issue of 3 installs, this game becomes unplayable, hence a 0.
  2. BobJ.
    Sep 13, 2008
    2
    Game is shallow and has almost nothing to do with evoloution.
  3. AnneR
    Sep 13, 2008
    2
    I've been waiting for this a long time. Now I'm bored and annoyed just getting one creature to the civilization phase. The controls are not intuitive and change with every phase so you can't get used to them. Phases last a very short amount of time. Nothing evolves. You get to add parts, but there's no sense of true evolution. And after awhile you can't add parts I've been waiting for this a long time. Now I'm bored and annoyed just getting one creature to the civilization phase. The controls are not intuitive and change with every phase so you can't get used to them. Phases last a very short amount of time. Nothing evolves. You get to add parts, but there's no sense of true evolution. And after awhile you can't add parts anymore either. I loved the CIV games. I loved SimCity and the Sims. I had a great time with Caesar and Pharaoh and Age of Empires, Diablo and WoW but this had none of the joy of any of them. Being able to install it 3 times is 2 too many.… Expand
  4. ChristopherC.
    Sep 13, 2008
    1
    There is no gameplay to speak of,. just repetitive and unrewarding tasks. Such a terrible shame. If only some one in the testing department had tried playing it rather then making creatures. The creating components are good fun. but that
  5. DKK.
    Sep 13, 2008
    2
    I am an EA fan, a Will Wright fan, and I could give a crap about DRM. I was ready to love this. I don't. It's beautiful, but it's boring.
  6. JB.
    Sep 13, 2008
    1
    Biggest Disappointment of 2008. I followed Spore since I heard about it in '06. Seriously, WTF happened? Maxis had such a great game and then two years later I'm stuck with this buggy stripped down version. It feels like I am playing a kids game on a console. Spore had the most potential than any other game ever made but thanks to EA that opportunity is lost and Maxis/Will Biggest Disappointment of 2008. I followed Spore since I heard about it in '06. Seriously, WTF happened? Maxis had such a great game and then two years later I'm stuck with this buggy stripped down version. It feels like I am playing a kids game on a console. Spore had the most potential than any other game ever made but thanks to EA that opportunity is lost and Maxis/Will Wright is looking like a tool. Spore is an EPIC FAIL.… Expand
  7. Ben
    Sep 13, 2008
    3
    A real missed opportunity. I had been looking forward to this game for ages and am disappointed. Designing creatures/buildings/vehicles has little to no impact on how they perform in game - this being the case you may as well shut down the game and pick up some lego instead. The 5 stages seem completely disjointed, as performance in a previous stage has little to no impact on the next A real missed opportunity. I had been looking forward to this game for ages and am disappointed. Designing creatures/buildings/vehicles has little to no impact on how they perform in game - this being the case you may as well shut down the game and pick up some lego instead. The 5 stages seem completely disjointed, as performance in a previous stage has little to no impact on the next (you can also COMPLETELY redesign your creature whenever you like so there's no sense of progress either). All stages are far too simplistic and have some strange features - for example in the creature stage it makes no difference whether you add one spike or 50, your creature still has the same attack skill. Also I found the controls for the space stage atrocious - I seemed to spend the whole time scrolling in and out, which is as dull as it sounds. Its basically 5 slightly sub-average games rolled into one. I'd advise waiting until it comes down to £10 or so before buying, it's not worth more than that.… Expand
  8. williamv.
    Sep 13, 2008
    0
    all the stages of this game are boring and repetetive. the worst is all the micro management of the space stage. sure you're an all powerful alien space faring empire... but you can only make one ship at a time? you can't even make small ships to defend your planets? you have to micromanage stupid little details such as alien attacks or ecodisasters? seriously, c'mon, in all the stages of this game are boring and repetetive. the worst is all the micro management of the space stage. sure you're an all powerful alien space faring empire... but you can only make one ship at a time? you can't even make small ships to defend your planets? you have to micromanage stupid little details such as alien attacks or ecodisasters? seriously, c'mon, in much older RTS games it seems like you could make minions to carry out the tedious tasks. even in sim city you could build fire stations and police stations so you didn't have to do everything yourself. this becomes even more frustrating when other space faring groups attack your planets or when you attack theirs... they don't seem to have a "one space ship per empire" standard applied to them... just go to the center and talk to the gronk {think thats' their name}. they seem to have as many ships as they want and their development isn't bogged down by the minutiae of governance. and don't even get me started on the fact that you can't make ships to collect the spices from your colonies for you. seriously, i have to fly to each star system myself? when i could be exploring this massive universe you've given us? i own/inhabit over sixty star systems and if i want to keep them all and/or profit from them i have to continually watch over them and visit them like a super shepherd who can never, ever, leave his flock. the bottom line is that if you really want to explore and have fun with the game you're going to lose planets, star systems, or at least money because even though you're an all powerful space faring empire you can't seem to do anything except depend on one ship {piloted by the user} to do each and every little detail. other frustrations with the space age are the fact that trade routes give you no income. none. the only point of a trade route, it seems, is that eventually the star system in question becomes available to purchase. the second major frustration {outside of the paragraphs above} is the UI used when battling on a planet. the controls for the dog fights are atrocious and the camera angle, during the fighting, is unhelpful to say the least. there are so many little things that could have been changed to make the space age of spore truly glorious and truly fun. after a couple nights play on the game, {probably about 10 hours spent on the space age altogether}, i can honestly say that i'm completely sick of it. i was really looking forward to this game for the past year or so, but i've been nothing but letdown by the release {both gameplay and DRM are pretty crap}. i just can't believe they didn't fix or even seem to understand some of these issues during their beta testing. who do they have playing these games up at EA? maybe they'll fix some of these issues with patches, updates, etc. more than likely though anything that fixes or expands the game will be sold separately as an expansion pack. sorry EA, you won't be getting any more money from me or my friends in the spore franchise.… Expand
  9. dc
    Sep 14, 2008
    1
    Spore was said to be a great game with a way innovative game play that would allow user to make the universe their own way... This needless to say did not happen not even close, most of the time it is the same repetitive actions of go here do as your told type play... Total let down on the side of EA they had a great idea and totally burned it at the stake. too easy and this game HAS Spore was said to be a great game with a way innovative game play that would allow user to make the universe their own way... This needless to say did not happen not even close, most of the time it is the same repetitive actions of go here do as your told type play... Total let down on the side of EA they had a great idea and totally burned it at the stake. too easy and this game HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH EVOLUTION! ITS MORE LIKE A CREATIONIST GAME - everything is set out for you and you do the same things every time you play it - no matter which role you take. The game itself is alright… Expand
  10. DanyR
    Sep 14, 2008
    4
    So much potential crippled by so many bugs and incomplete, repetitive and downright annoying gameplay. I had great hopes in Spore, but I was Spwned by EA and it's miserable DRM, QA and lousy technical support staff. I don't blame Maxis though, EA is responsible for Spore's lack of real appeal for real gamers.
  11. V.B.
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    DRM is a dealbreaker anyway, but the game has been reduced to nothingness. The design of your creature couldn't matter less. No significant evolution, which was supposedly the point of the game. You can make creatures that would never survive do just fine, which means there's no payoff to taking the time to design a creature well. Stupid, stupid game, and incredible disappointment.
  12. ColinB
    Sep 14, 2008
    2
    A bitter disappointment. Yes, the world is very pretty to look at, and the creature creator is a nifty little toy...but the game play is abysmal. The game shifts between different genres, hopelessly attempting to provide a unique and deep experience, but every stage is just becomes a boring, simplified genre exercise without any sense of adventure, fun, or immersion. It's like I A bitter disappointment. Yes, the world is very pretty to look at, and the creature creator is a nifty little toy...but the game play is abysmal. The game shifts between different genres, hopelessly attempting to provide a unique and deep experience, but every stage is just becomes a boring, simplified genre exercise without any sense of adventure, fun, or immersion. It's like I asked for a heaping bowl of thick, delicious chocolate ice cream that would take me a long time to completely savor, but instead I receive a small bowl of low-fat frozen yogurt in assorted flavors that is presented nicely but tastes like a loathsome combination of five kinds of Gerber's baby mush. And don't worry, I despise the DRM as much as the next man, but that did not affect my opinion of Spore. It is simply one of the greatest gaming failures in history. Will Wright's yacht has capsized...time to hop aboard the FAILBOAT!… Expand
  13. ArvinS.
    Sep 14, 2008
    6
    Each stage feels rushed with an artificial ending; as someone said its like playing a bad version of five different games. The game really does lack depth and substance and is a huge disappointment.
  14. intervaljones
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    Bad DRM plus lies in the manual regarding the number of online accounts a game can have plus watered down gaming action = lowest possible score. Ignore the glowing reviews, they are obviously EA shills.
  15. ChrisB.
    Sep 14, 2008
    3
    This game could have been good but it never settles down. Its like spinning plates, just end up rushing around in an attempt to get nowhere. Really badly thought out and generally not enough content. Shame.
  16. JohnD.
    Sep 14, 2008
    1
    Aweful DRM, worse gameplay. The creators are great but the game is absolutely mind-numbingly dull.
  17. MargorieS
    Sep 14, 2008
    1
    I should have saved the $50. I heard this was the latest from the guy who made the Sims and I loved the Sims, but this is awful. The first 2 games are Ok, but not really fun, and then the 3rd game feels like I'm playing counterstrike or something. Bad game design, and stupid key commands. I can't get used to them (no invert mouse) and so it's really no fun to struggle along I should have saved the $50. I heard this was the latest from the guy who made the Sims and I loved the Sims, but this is awful. The first 2 games are Ok, but not really fun, and then the 3rd game feels like I'm playing counterstrike or something. Bad game design, and stupid key commands. I can't get used to them (no invert mouse) and so it's really no fun to struggle along trying to play. So many things wrong this stupid title.… Expand
  18. Peter.P.
    Sep 15, 2008
    0
    Damn, I already used up all my 3 activation as I used an USB flash stick. Aparently any hardware change, including adding/removing hard drives will use up an activation. And to the PC, a USB stick is a hard drive. Was a little fun while it lated, I only got to the tribal stage but it seemed a bit dumbed down. Beware of USB flash sticks if you plan to play this or any future EA products.
  19. PauloP.
    Sep 15, 2008
    2
    A bland game that falls quite short of its huge tall order. It would deserve a modest 5. Why do I give it 2? Because the protection scheme is just a disrespect for buyers.
  20. AnonymousMC
    Sep 15, 2008
    0
    Absolutely greatest letdown in gaming history. A mile wide but an inch deep. user content system dosn't save it game it makes you want it to be something it isn't; a compelling and fun game. space phase is absolutely frustrating and not open ended in the least. forced to be a slave to greater empires who spring up immediately and some who hate you instanly for no reason and wontAbsolutely greatest letdown in gaming history. A mile wide but an inch deep. user content system dosn't save it game it makes you want it to be something it isn't; a compelling and fun game. space phase is absolutely frustrating and not open ended in the least. forced to be a slave to greater empires who spring up immediately and some who hate you instanly for no reason and wont let you do "diplomacy" with them. Add in the terrible DRM called SECUROM and you've got yourself a totally disappointing game the likes of which i've never seen before.… Expand
  21. FirionaV.
    Sep 15, 2008
    1
    You've got to be kidding me. People are giving this game more than a 1 score?? It sucks unbelievably and offers nothing unique. 5 unrelated POS mini-games with no cohesion, no multiplayer, lousy controls and camera. BARF!
  22. gordonw.
    Sep 15, 2008
    0
    The DRM policy is unacceptable. EA has been dishonest about the reason. The real reason is to prevent used game sales. No one will have time to stay on hold while calling in for additional activations. So this becomes rental software. No way can you expect to be able to install the game again several years later on a whim.
  23. ZachO.
    Sep 15, 2008
    6
    It's alright for a weekend, but gets boring pretty quick due to it's extreme simplicity. I was hoping for much more actually, I'm pretty dissapointed.
  24. Denver
    Sep 15, 2008
    5
    The cell stage was fun, but needs alot of improvement. Tribal and creature stage is silly like hell. Civ stage is the most dumb down RTS i ever played, hell those flash tower defense RTS has more depth than it. Haven try space age, since after i play it 3 times i stopped playing.
  25. JackB.
    Sep 15, 2008
    1
    Worst pos I've ever purchased. Last time I buy something on the strength of its author. I thought this guy did the Sims?
  26. AliciaC.
    Sep 15, 2008
    0
    This game is a rental not a purchase. Just wait for someone to crack it and get it free.
  27. BarrettG.
    Sep 16, 2008
    1
    Draconian DRM. Don't make me activate. Don't check what other software I have on my machine, that simply stupid. Loads of people are pirating this game right now. I will not be doing so, but I won't be buying it either.
  28. Jax
    Sep 16, 2008
    0
    Crippling, Draconian DRM that must be stopped, and it seems the only way to get Publishers to listen is by giving them poor reviews for it.
  29. RawrR.
    Sep 16, 2008
    3
    They bet everything on originality, and it hasn't paid off. It's a terribly designed game, full of flaws, bugs and not much else. I wouldn't be surprised if all they have done for the last 3 and a half years is play with their own editor. Not to mention EA screwed it up.
  30. rong.
    Sep 16, 2008
    1
    Wow, I've never posted here before about a game, but this game sucks so bad I had to say somethiing. especially the way they are marketing around it, like it's the 2nd coming of christ or something. Personally I found it boring, buggy, and very hard to control. and you can't change the controls, so I'm stuck with the controls. a bunch of stupid mini games, like some Wow, I've never posted here before about a game, but this game sucks so bad I had to say somethiing. especially the way they are marketing around it, like it's the 2nd coming of christ or something. Personally I found it boring, buggy, and very hard to control. and you can't change the controls, so I'm stuck with the controls. a bunch of stupid mini games, like some kind of lame-ass mario party game, except no fun, and single player party games lol. Man, what a loser of a way to spend $50. And I can't take it back!… 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]
    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
See all critic reviews »