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. KrisKras
    Sep 10, 2008
    0
    It's a big disappointment, the game is to easy, to short, almost zero replay factor. I always have a choice between playing music or attacking others, wow! And when creator stops increasing any stats (in civilization phase) it becomes just a handicap.
  2. AndreasK.
    Sep 10, 2008
    8
    As long as you see Spore for what it is and not for what you wanted it to be (in which case you will naturally be disappointed), you will find a very good and entertaining game. However, this game actually requires the player to PLAY, a thing a lot of people can't cope with. It's like a box of LEGO blocks. If you have no fantasy and imagination whatsoever, then you will As long as you see Spore for what it is and not for what you wanted it to be (in which case you will naturally be disappointed), you will find a very good and entertaining game. However, this game actually requires the player to PLAY, a thing a lot of people can't cope with. It's like a box of LEGO blocks. If you have no fantasy and imagination whatsoever, then you will naturally find the "gameplay" with them shallow and boring.… Expand
  3. 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
  4. 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!).
  5. 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.
  6. SteveH.
    Sep 9, 2008
    1
    Unimaginably horrible. With a DRM scheme that limits you to three activations. Stupid, repetitive and simplistic gameplay reminiscent of Black & White. What is there to like? What a load of crap. Very disappointed, I expected so much more.
  7. JackR.
    Sep 9, 2008
    2
    I have to agree with the consensus. This game sucks. I can't believe the arrogance of releasing a PC game in 2008 with WASD controls that does NOT let you reconfigure the keys and does NOT provide an invert mouse option. The control scheme is horrible and I spent all my time just trying to unintuitively learn how to move while being killed. What a stupid, stupid game.
  8. dereckd.
    Sep 9, 2008
    7
    This game has a great premise, however, the controls are a bit difficult to manage, especially during the space again. Worth playing if you are a fan of Will Wright.
  9. haukev.
    Sep 9, 2008
    9
    Creativity is a strange thing. it hit´s us in the most unexpected moments.we can´t control it....or....? Spore is a game that provoces creativity.You play with it and you are forced to be creative.like lego. learning to create and having a sensation of success is an incredible experience -. rarely found in pc-games. this is an solid game, made out of an brilliant idea : make Creativity is a strange thing. it hit´s us in the most unexpected moments.we can´t control it....or....? Spore is a game that provoces creativity.You play with it and you are forced to be creative.like lego. learning to create and having a sensation of success is an incredible experience -. rarely found in pc-games. this is an solid game, made out of an brilliant idea : make the player part of the game. ( one remark for the developers : iI bought SPORE for 59.90 euros and was not even able to install the game. i just copied the content to my hard disk and run it like that without any instalation. but beside that "little" problems : best game ever.… Expand
  10. DarrenS.
    Sep 9, 2008
    3
    Fun for couple hours, okay for a couple more, then tedium.
  11. burrkw.
    Sep 9, 2008
    0
    An all around disappointment. the core of the game is the editor where you design things, instead of actually playing the game.
  12. FredM.
    Sep 9, 2008
    4
    A game 4 years in the making should have a little more than some fancy programming. Not only does it lack a good AI engine, but the entire game can be "beaten" in two good days of playing. Of course the game can't really be beaten. One of the features of the game is the thousands and thousands of star systems you can visit. However the space stage lacks the UI to make it plesant. As A game 4 years in the making should have a little more than some fancy programming. Not only does it lack a good AI engine, but the entire game can be "beaten" in two good days of playing. Of course the game can't really be beaten. One of the features of the game is the thousands and thousands of star systems you can visit. However the space stage lacks the UI to make it plesant. As a space game I would much prefer "Sins of a Solar Empire." A game with an innovative UI and enough gameplay to keep you busy. So even if you like the creature, tribal, or civ stages of spore, you get less than about 8 hours of total gameplay for those stages all together. you CAN keep playing those stages before choosing to evolve. BUT the game doesn't make it rewarding enough to spend any more time than you have to. I could keep going. But I'm sad I waited so long for this. I'm gonna per-order that new star wars game though. At least that has the Euphoria engine.… Expand
  13. RichardO.
    Sep 9, 2008
    7
    This game shouts Medicore all the way. Every game part before the space just seems to end too quick, whats the point getting bigger and better if there isnt anything fun to do with it. The space part just is too hectic. Idea that you have to zap around your empire after every little fight robbers etc are causing is just so flawed. Doing every single thing yourself just leads to that its This game shouts Medicore all the way. Every game part before the space just seems to end too quick, whats the point getting bigger and better if there isnt anything fun to do with it. The space part just is too hectic. Idea that you have to zap around your empire after every little fight robbers etc are causing is just so flawed. Doing every single thing yourself just leads to that its the ONLY thing you will have time to do. well, at least 80% of the game. Summary: Flawed design ruins a good idea.… Expand
  14. TristanH.
    Sep 9, 2008
    4
    I wanted to give this a good review, I really did. First two stages are good but dumbed down to insane levels, and every stage after is boring repetitive and extremely shallow. I am completely let down. I loved what i saw in previews and gameplay videos and this is what I'm left with. Also the ultra strict DRM if a filthy way to spy on customers and gives you a maximum of only three I wanted to give this a good review, I really did. First two stages are good but dumbed down to insane levels, and every stage after is boring repetitive and extremely shallow. I am completely let down. I loved what i saw in previews and gameplay videos and this is what I'm left with. Also the ultra strict DRM if a filthy way to spy on customers and gives you a maximum of only three installs, which is stupid considering how much people need to re-format etc. these days with crappy Vista breaking all the time. EA's greed has gone too far this time. Aside from the amazing creation system I struggle to see why the game took so long to be made. Both companies should be ashamed.… Expand
  15. ThomasG.
    Sep 9, 2008
    1
    It looks nice but is only fun for small children - not what I was promised; many features missing.
  16. JamesKlagston
    Sep 9, 2008
    2
    Each stage of the game is boring.
  17. RoH
    Sep 9, 2008
    0
    Finding out about the Drm and only getting 3 installs after I paid for the game killed any fun I could have had with it. I think I'll go reinstall Warcraft3 for the 100th time and play that. Good story. Good Graphics. and worth the money I paid for it.
  18. philg.
    Sep 9, 2008
    1
    This game installed a rootkit on my harddrive and i can't get rid of it, it only allows 3 installs so good luck to any gamer who regularly reinstalls their OS
  19. KatieO
    Sep 9, 2008
    8
    I have to admit, I haven't quite gotten to the space age level yet, but overall Spore is a good time. It doesn't quite live up to my expectations--designing the creatures and building is definitely awesome, and fully up to my expectations, but the game play is not. Designing is entertaining, and actually involves critical thinking. But some of the actual gaming--the tribal stage I have to admit, I haven't quite gotten to the space age level yet, but overall Spore is a good time. It doesn't quite live up to my expectations--designing the creatures and building is definitely awesome, and fully up to my expectations, but the game play is not. Designing is entertaining, and actually involves critical thinking. But some of the actual gaming--the tribal stage especially--feel more Reader Rabbit than Civilization.… Expand
  20. RichardS
    Sep 9, 2008
    7
    The first few phases up to the civilization stage are quite fun in their simplicity. However, the civilization and space stage I found to be disappointing in their depth and often quite uninteresting. I spent 2 hours taking over star systems with no real benefit or reason. I have no idea as to what the point is to taking over the entire spore universe is, and I won't spend 100+ hours The first few phases up to the civilization stage are quite fun in their simplicity. However, the civilization and space stage I found to be disappointing in their depth and often quite uninteresting. I spent 2 hours taking over star systems with no real benefit or reason. I have no idea as to what the point is to taking over the entire spore universe is, and I won't spend 100+ hours to find out. I experienced a glitch with the tribal stage where a large rip in the land (a kind of mini sharp valley), went right through my tribe's centre. When the creatures were in line to to eat or deposit food and it was their turn while they were turning to get to the storage every 2/3 times they would begin to spasm left and right until I manually had to move them away and back in line for food again. It wasn't fun and felt broken. Those large gullies in the landscape were very common throughout the game and ugly to encounter. The creature designer and object designer is very well made and intuitive. However the 2 last stages left a lot to be desired and Maxis would really do well with a content patch or expansion.… Expand
  21. AnthonyAnthony
    Sep 9, 2008
    4
    When it comes to visuals this game is amazing! The problem is that it starts and ends there. This game is in no way a good game, in fact as a game its pretty mediocre. The game play is just not there. I got maybe 16 hours of game play and not that was not even good. The first stage is everything I expected but nothing more. They actually do a decent job from keeping the first few stages When it comes to visuals this game is amazing! The problem is that it starts and ends there. This game is in no way a good game, in fact as a game its pretty mediocre. The game play is just not there. I got maybe 16 hours of game play and not that was not even good. The first stage is everything I expected but nothing more. They actually do a decent job from keeping the first few stages from getting to repetitive. Once you pass that though the game is boring. Its just the same actions over and over and over again. There is no depth to the game in anyways and really is only good to kill some time much like a flash game you would play at work. There is no reason to pay $60 for this game. Maybe spore two will be better.… Expand
  22. LynnD.
    Sep 9, 2008
    1
    The DRM this game uses makes the game worthless to me. I can only install on 3 machines for the whole life of the game. If i make a call to EA I will have to provide proof of purchase to get another activation after 3. Ridiculous.
  23. Tenfyr
    Sep 9, 2008
    2
    Once I got passed the issues getting this game to actually start on my PC (I had to install it 4 times before I could launch the game) it was fun at first as I found each stage rich in innovation but thin on gameplay, making this something I will only play for a short time then never pick up again. If I could log into the EA server to experience other users creations this might have more Once I got passed the issues getting this game to actually start on my PC (I had to install it 4 times before I could launch the game) it was fun at first as I found each stage rich in innovation but thin on gameplay, making this something I will only play for a short time then never pick up again. If I could log into the EA server to experience other users creations this might have more replay value but sadly this feature seems very broken at the moment and there is no indication of when it will be fixed. No doubt it will be at the point where I've forgotten it ever existed.… Expand
  24. JamesO.
    Sep 9, 2008
    5
    Tries to be everything thus being pretty average overall. Not a bad game but not a good game either.
  25. SeedeeV.
    Sep 9, 2008
    1
    DRM on my PC version makes this game an expensive rental. Ease of use, mobility, etc., is a large part of any gaming experience. Mess with the "value" of the game and it deserves a low score.
  26. JaquierJ.
    Sep 9, 2008
    0
    Clearly EA just doesn't get it. A perfectly good game can be absolutely destroyed if they use an out of date, and completely useless, not to mention often unstable and harmful DRM. Get with the picture. This had the potential to be a brilliant game, but EA got greedy and decided to screw the honest consumer.
  27. Vincec
    Sep 9, 2008
    0
    The DRM is terrible and the game a sprawling bore. Several distinct game modes but all but the last one are utterly uninteresting.
  28. LawrenceW.
    Sep 9, 2008
    9
    If you like games about evolution, modding, empire building and Sid Meires Pirates! ... get this! I'm very pleased with it. The problem at first was there was so much hype, and some aspects of the game seemed kind of crude. I enjoyed all the stages in the end but especially the galaxy stage because it reminds me of one of my favourite games: Sid Meires Pirates! Above all it's If you like games about evolution, modding, empire building and Sid Meires Pirates! ... get this! I'm very pleased with it. The problem at first was there was so much hype, and some aspects of the game seemed kind of crude. I enjoyed all the stages in the end but especially the galaxy stage because it reminds me of one of my favourite games: Sid Meires Pirates! Above all it's the a game about modding and player created content, it's highly original and has lots of charm.… Expand
  29. AlB.
    Sep 9, 2008
    9
    Groundbreaking science game. The detail is outstanding. Wish for better controls, custom options and multiple save files. DRM sucks.
  30. JoelL.
    Sep 9, 2008
    9
    Great piece of software. Think along the lines of SimCity and it is great. Think along the lines of Civ or any other more traditional "game" and you'll be disappointed.
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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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