Spore

Frankly it is impossible to review some games and post an accurate impression online on its date of release. Some games ship practically broken and become a gem over time (Neverwinter Nights 2) while others provide an exhilarating rush that fades quickly and is never reclaimed. Spore came across as both to many reviewers, blowing minds with its ingenious creation tools but underwhelming many serious gamers with its lack of depth. Still having spent a full month with the game I feel that it has really endured as something I can see myself playing for a long time. On my first go around my main concern was that the game felt a little too easy, as though it was designed for people who have never scavenged virtual landscapes or fielded imaginary armies against a computer opponent. I feel that the first patch did a great job of fixing that. Now with tutorials turned off and the difficulty cranked up to hard I find myself fleeing from superior predators and losing a war every once in a while. This is great; while each segment of the game still lacks complexity they at least provide an engaging challenge that holds your attention.

The first section has you controlling a simple organism in a primordial sea, eating up little globs of plant and animal matter while adding parts that allow you to better defend yourself. While the concept for this type of game already exists I think that the version contained in Spore really shines thanks to its simple game play and gorgeous looks.

In the creature phase your little creation grows legs and joins the ranks of other surface animals. As you run around collecting parts to attach to the creature you are building you will also have to either fight or befriend the creations of other players. This part of the game feels just a little bit under developed and repetitive but it takes several plays to get tired of it. Of course if you are a highly enthusiastic downloader of other people’s creations like I am then you will find a lot of visual variety, so as an ever changing safari it does have some replay value. As for the “evolution simulation” aspect you will find that this game employs a mixture of intelligent design and Lamarckism, which makes for mediocre science but simple and fun game play.

After you have fought or befriended lots of species your creature will have developed enough of a brain to start up its own primitive tribe. Depending on your previous actions you will find that your tribe will have an inclination towards war or peace, although as always you are in control of what course your creatures take. When dealing with other tribes you have a few options including stealing their food, giving them gifts, waging war with them or performing for them with musical instruments in hopes of forging an alliance. Having conquered every tribe with either culture or war you are able to create an actual nation.

This segment of the game plays like the civilization franchise but in real time, creating vehicles that use weapons, trade or religion to conquer the opposition. While I am quite satisfied with how military and financial conquest are handled; I do think that the religious method is almost indistinguishable from traditional warfare. Maybe this is a statement about religion throughout history but in game terms it really adds nothing more than a way for peace loving herbivores to conquer cities with “missionary” tanks.

Those who complete the hectic task of unifying all nations around the globe will be rewarded with Spores true gem, the space game. After launching your mothership into space you are pretty much allowed to do whatever you want, ranging from exploring the galaxy searching for rare artifacts to conquering all other star systems. In my case I’m a huge fan of using sci-fi devices to alter the atmosphere and temperature of barren planets until they can sustain the living beings I abducted from other worlds. Eventually you will develop enough fame to attract the attention of the Grox, a fierce civilization of warlike aliens that stand between you and the mysteries held at the center of the universe.

Now everyone has been asking what’s next for this franchise but having waited a full month I can already see the next step on the horizon, that being the Creepy and Cute add-on pack which frankly does not sound like something I can get too excited over. Still we have a good product here and hopefully the designers will figure out that that we are already in love with the creation aspect, all we want is more game to go with it.