jmke

Spore is certainly an interesting experience overall, the first time through. It presents a very wide range of gameplay types, unique features in the form of the Sporepedia and Sporecasts, and a final phase that is diverse in its challenges and wide in its scope. Unfortunately, the game has something of a clinical feel; the fun factor might not be there for a large audience. There's definitely some enjoyment to be had in the building-block game-play of the first phases, but I'm not sure it can really keep everyone’s interest long enough for them to get to the meat of the experience—the Space phase.

Perhaps the whole concept of Spore is just too high, when all is said and done. I honestly had more fun with rather middle-brow The Sims series. But one also gets the uncomfortable feeling that each phase is now just a shell, to be filled in with upcoming expansions and for-pay content packs. Imagine an expansion pack release for each phase, adding in the depth that's sorely missing. It's not a fun thought.

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/games/spore-review.ars/1

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