Spore™

What is Spore™?

Will Wright, creator of games such as SimCity™ and The Sims™, has taken the observation, manipulation and control of game characters to a whole new level. Spore™, developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, is Will Wright's version of creation in which you go from a single cell struggling for food to an omnipotent space being. With the ongoing destination to reach the center of the universe, you will be the guiding force behind the scenes that forges the destiny of your races.

Ever since PC simulator games became a passion of mine, which was around the time when games like Ocean's I-war™, Origin's Wing Commander Prophecy™ and Microsoft's Flight Simulator™ first came out, I have been asking clerks behind the counter; "Is there a game that allows you to fly to different galaxies and zoom into their solar systems and visit the planets. Explore spacial anomalies and black holes... etc. rather than just kill every spaceship coming your way?" The answer was always; "No, not that I know of."

That's all changed. Spore is the game that has it all.

The beginning of the game, the cell stage of spore makes it appear as though it's going to be a very simple childlike game as you wiggle around eating. This feeling ends after seeing a giant mouth bearing down on you ready to chomp you into chum.

You quickly learn making certain enhancements might make you more withstanding the attacks of others. What seemed like a mild swimming hole becomes a fight for survival until you are ready to take your first step on land. Not to imply the challenge is then over. Mating will allow you to change and evolve your creation.

As you play you collect body parts that will give new advantages and improved abilities. If you can't swim fast enough to get away you can add another pair of flagella or perhaps a spike in the back to use their attack against them. The choice is yours every step of the way and you can always change your mind again and again.

The next stage is called the creature stage, which becomes more intense and with a broader list of choices, options and decision. On this stage you create the character you will be throughout the rest of the game.

The default tutorial style play, do this and now do this type thing, to get you used to the game play is great for those of us that never liked reading the directions on how to play because we'd rather just jump right in. Though it tends to be a little obtrusive at times, I would recommend not disabling this option in the settings until you have gone through all the stages.

You continue on through the Tribal Stage, Civilization Stage and finally end in the Space Stage. Each level of Spore gets more intense. The last two stages I found to be the most challenging The Space Stage is so vast it's where you will spend most of your time.

You have so many things you can do. The game even allows you to terraform planets. You have to make them habitable for your colonies to grow and mine for spice. You get tools to raise and lower the temperature, atmosphere and land. You get special tools to shape and color your worlds. Make chocolate rivers and pink atmospheres if you like. The creative possibilities are endless.

The Space Stage of Spore also has you meeting new races on their respective plants. Form alliances and trade spice or take over their worlds and claim them as your own. You'll get to fly through wormholes and explore star system after star system collecting special items and terraforming tools.

Just Beware of the Grog!