**SPORE**

[Durzel]

Ars Technica have reviewed it:

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

"Civilization in a Dull, Drab World"... Ouch!

Then again they're probably wrong since it's a generally negative review, they obviously had too high expectations for the game which therefore renders their point of view entirely invalid from the get-go. Like the legion of other negative reviews all pointing out the same flaws (I call them "features") they went in looking for something that was never promised to begin with and concentrated on fickle points like "gameplay" and "depth".

 

[Glaucus]

How did you deal with the utter pain of being constantly attacked and not having any time to develop your planets? Really is quite tiresome having to treck back miles just because 1 small pirate ship is taking over a colony :/

Dont expand to fast.
And kill the enemy's as this reduces the attack rate, or appears to. But yes it is vey annoying, but something you just have to do.

 

[nin9abadga]

also ignore most of the comms requests you get. i only answered one, made friends with 2 others that i stumbled across (i didn't talk to them first) and ignored 3 or 4 other comms things that flashed up. the 1 answered were nice to start off with then they demanded cash which i refused and then they attacked (some dinosaur guys). i'm still able to earn enough cash by doing missions and trading inbetween killing them as they attack to re-build my planet and buy stuff.

 

[Richdog]

Ars Technica have reviewed it:

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

"Civilization in a Dull, Drab World"... Ouch!

Then again they're probably wrong since it's a generally negative review, they obviously had too high expectations for the game which therefore renders their point of view entirely invalid from the get-go. Like the legion of other negative reviews all pointing out the same flaws (I call them "features") they went in looking for something that was never promised to begin with and concentrated on fickle points like "gameplay" and "depth".

That review is absolutely spot-on.

 

[Meloco]

Just played through the game twice, early stages are very addictive. But is it just me.. or is space just tiresome and boring? I think I must be playing the space part wrong, because I just cannot find any enjoyment in it..

 

[Darkwave]

Ars Technica have reviewed it:

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

"Civilization in a Dull, Drab World"... Ouch!

[Snip some not so subtle baiting, as I'm biting anyway.]

That actually seemed like a generally favourable review to me, and I agree with almost all of it.

It seems to me that his main complaints are it being too easy and there not being enough to do, but again these sound to me like the criticisms of someone who isn't a casual gamer and didn't expect the game to be so simplistic (at least until the final stage). This shouldn't be news to anyone.

Apart from that he does also worry about how the game is going to be an expansion franchise, and I'm not sure why anyone would've thought otherwise considering that it's brought to you by the same people who brought you The Sims and its barrage of expansions. This especially shouldn't be news to anyone.

I agree with most of the complaints in his conclusion. No autosave feature and bugs are two complaints I've already voiced myself and the graphics are very simplistic, so I agree with that too (thought I think it's understandable considering that procedural animation on this scale is pretty much breakthrough material). I don't see why he's upset about there being no real multiplayer though, as we already knew that.

 

[spacedskunk]

Having played spore for about 2 hours now at a friends, I find it very linear and boring to say its a free world...very disappointing.

 

[Totality]

Bought this as "the creatures you meet are designed by other people online" yet every single creature I've met so far is designed by Maxis!! When do other people's designs start popping up? I'm on the stage after you come out of the water.

Secondly - What are the point in health add-ons, etc? If you double them up you dont get increases in health points so whats the point in buying more than one set? Same goes for wings? Was hoping if you bought a few sets you would be able to fly for longer but you dont seem to! Am I missing something? Are the extras just for looks?

 

[Streeteh]

Bought this as "the creatures you meet are designed by other people online" yet every single creature I've met so far is designed by Maxis!! When do other people's designs start popping up? I'm on the stage after you come out of the water.

It's when you progress into space dude, every ones creatures will have a planet or two.

 

[4p]

Bored with it :s

Get creature, eat other creates, get points, upgrade character

Rinse repeat

 

[Glaucus]

If you don't like designing stuff I can see why you might find it boring. but then why buy it. It's what the game is about.

 

[Richdog]

If you don't like designing stuff I can see why you might find it boring. but then why buy it. It's what the game is about.

Yes, because people are finding the shallow and repetetiove nature of the early stages boring then they "musn't like designing stuff". Another AcidHell2 classic post.

 

[Totality]

It's when you progress into space dude, every ones creatures will have a planet or two.

Aww man! So I have to slave away before I even get to see other creations

What about the body parts. Are they meant to add up so more wings = better flight? Or do you just pay for the looks? They say +1 flight but 3 doesnt seem any different to 1!

 

[Spunj99]

If you don't like designing stuff I can see why you might find it boring. but then why buy it. It's what the game is about.

Thing is, create something original and cool looking...make your life hard. Create something dull like everybody else with mouths, spikes, horns and random bits of crap all over and the game is easy.

The game manages to restrict the best part of itself, for me anyway, the creativity...

I've started over 3 times with various different creatures, was far too easy if you can eat meat and are just generally a jerk to all other species (see, humans) and an absolute PITA being a friendly herbivore only.

 

[Totality]

Yes, because people are finding the shallow and repetetiove nature of the early stages boring then they "musn't like designing stuff". Another AcidHell2 classic post.

By the way - if you hate the game so much as I've noticed in all your posts - why do you keep insisting on posting in the thread about it?!

 

[Richdog]

By the way - if you hate the game so much as I've noticed in all your posts - why do you keep insisting on posting in the thread about it?!

I don't hate the game, if you read the posts you'll see i'm still playing it and loved the first 6 hours. It's just nowhere near as good a game as people are making out, and has very little replay value due to the weak early stages. It got heated because some people started reacting strongly to anyone criticising it.

 

[Totality]

I don't hate the game, if you read the posts you'll see i'm still playing it and loved the first 6 hours. It's just nowhere near as good a game as people are making out, and has very little replay value due to the weak early stages. It got heated because some people started reacting strongly to anyone criticising it.

Hmm well I've been playing for 2 hours now and already find it a bit repetative. Hoping after a break I can move on and get somewhere. I made a flying spider thing with wings. Well when I say flying it can hop then fall lol. Was hoping more wings would help it fly further but alas no

 

[Glaucus]

I don't hate the game, if you read the posts you'll see i'm still playing it and loved the first 6 hours. It's just nowhere near as good a game as people are making out, and has very little replay value due to the weak early stages. It got heated because some people started reacting strongly to anyone criticising it.

But you don't have to replay the early stages and I haven't. It wasn't a stupid comment I made. A lot of the game is about designing your stuff and comes into play once you get vehicles.

 

[EternityEight]

The attacks were annoying. After you get the "Uber Turret" i think they can pretty much look after themselves but it doesnt stop them complaining about you.

Getting to the centre of the universe is pretty hard, or it was for me so its worth it in that respect. I went through stealth and speed rather than might.

 

[ins0mn1ac]

Just played through the game twice, early stages are very addictive. But is it just me.. or is space just tiresome and boring? I think I must be playing the space part wrong, because I just cannot find any enjoyment in it..

But you still played it twice? yeah OK.