I have now playd through every one of the 5 "phases" in this game and even though it was quite obvious by the second one, I can now verify that Spore is nothing but an overhyped pile of rubbish. It might have been a clever move to release the creaturemaker before the actual game, because its the only thing about spore that is even mildly interesting. What was supposd to have been gameplay is just a very shallow blend of RTS and.. loitering about being generally pointless, to the degree that this game could have been made by the great Peter Molyneux, master of nonexistant game design.

 

 

 

Id advise anyone here to put his money on a real game instead.

I never got into that kind of games myself. Surely, the tech is nice (procedural content), but really, if it hasn't some kind of a narrative, what's the point in playing it? There's nothing more pointless than playing games that don't have a definite end.

They make a lot of money though

i ain't played a god-game since Civ 3. they're usually engrossing in the short term but dull in the long term.

 

i wasn't gonna bother with Spore but the recent NYT piece made me think i might buy it. now i'm thinking maybe not...

A friend of mine bought and played the game today and gave the same verdict.

 

He told me it was shallow, felt childish and lacked charm.

 

I tried playing the first few phases of the game - in the water.. which was fun, but really simple, it didn't seem that interesting as a creature on land.

So you guys don't seem to like the kind of game Spore is and somehow it becomes news that you don't like it?

 

Since this thread might as well become useful I'll just sneak in a good review.

Since this thread might as well become useful I'll just sneak in a good review.

not saying that spore is a bad game, but does anyone actually trust sites like IGN for objective reviews? ain't they all just essentially hacks paid to write promo copy for the big game companies?

Since this thread might as well become useful I'll just sneak in a good review.

not saying that spore is a bad game, but does anyone actually trust sites like IGN for objective reviews? ain't they all just essentially hacks paid to write promo copy for the big game companies?

Apparently Moatilliatta does????

IGN and Gamespots reviews are about as reliable as those TV-Shop informercials, its only the publishers who dont want to or cant afford to pay for good reviews that get reasonably unbiased reviews.

 

 

 

The fact is that Spore is a shallow and rather dull game... correction, its a creature creator with a mediocre semblance of a game attached to it.

I would probably hesitate to condemn a game that was trying to be different after only a few hours of play. I'd think it was possible that I simply hadn't got my head around what I was doing, and resolve to come back to it after a few days with a fresh approach.

Now Im close to spamming but the point is that Spore isnt different, nor is it trying to be. It lets you create a critter and then run that critter through a few RTS scenarios, and then its over or you start again with a new critter. Thats all there is to it.

This thread has turned quite funny in a sad sort of way.

 

The author of the review is Alec Meer who as a games journalist is quite good. For those who are still clueless Alec Meer is one of the four regular writers on Rock, Paper, Shotgun.

How long does a single playthrough take? Aren't you supposed to go from amoeba to intergalactic civilization or somesuch?

For those of you who dislike Spore, did you like The Sims?

 

I just think that might be important for establishing personal tastes.

For those of you who dislike Spore, did you like The Sims?

 

I just think that might be important for establishing personal tastes.

It would also be interesting to know opinions on the sequel as that one would have lost the newness factor.

 

I for one can't wait to make a carnivore species whose goal will be to devour the galaxy¹.

 

¹Or as close as it can get.

The author of the review is Alec Meer who as a games journalist is quite good. For those who are still clueless Alec Meer is one of the four regular writers on Rock, Paper, Shotgun.

still, so what? just because someone writes well and has decent, independent thoughts in their spare time doesn't prevent them from being a hack for hire during working hours.

So have you even read it or are you trying to live up to your signature?

 

It being Alec Meer means that it is worth a read to see whether it is good or not. It is.

...put his money...

Gee, your "preorder" sure was quick huh?

Eurogamer review up: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=229057

 

9/10.

How long does a single playthrough take? Aren't you supposed to go from amoeba to intergalactic civilization or somesuch?

 

Do not listen to anyone's initial opinions on Spore. Until they've had at least ten hours with it, you don't understand the game in the slightest.

 

As for journalistic integrity, it's a well known fact that all reviews are bought and paid for, except the ones you agree with.

Edited September 4, 200817 yr by Hell Kitty

The two biggest German print mags gave Spore 79% and 73% respectively. Publishers may bribe US/UK media, but it ain't work so easy everywhere.

Again, what did The Sims get in these magazines? Look, these types of games are very different than the standard RTS. They really aren't designed for a hardcore gaming audience. They are designed for a larger public. It doesn't surprise me that Spore is being called childish, I think that is a fantastic moniker. I hope the game will be accessible to my daughter and my wife.

 

This is a continuation of The Sims concept, despite a dramatically different look.

Yeah, because if German reviewers give lower scores than US/UK reviewers, the obvious explanation is that it's harder to bribe Europeans.

 

What?

Again, what did The Sims get in these magazines? Look, these types of games are very different than the standard RTS. They really aren't designed for a hardcore gaming audience. They are designed for a larger public. It doesn't surprise me that Spore is being called childish, I think that is a fantastic moniker. I hope the game will be accessible to my daughter and my wife.

 

This is a continuation of The Sims concept, despite a dramatically different look.

Pretty high, around 88% I think. And don't think the German speaking market is just about hardcore RPGs and Settler clones, nope. All I'm saying is that these reviewers, especially GameStar, do not shrink back to give even the biggest blockbusters objective scores. And I personally don't see either why Spore should receive raving high scores.

I have been hesitant about spore for a long time. From all the previews it never seemed like there was a game in there.

That said I want to keep an open mind, but if this is a game that is only really enjoyed by people who like The Sims then I sure want to stay as far away from it that I possibly can.