Spore out soon

[Zomg]

These guys mistimed the release date/hype confluence. I was in such a consumer frenzy about this when we were first seeing Wright's GDC presentation thing I might have killed the Pope for a copy. Now I feel like it's a game I've already played somehow.

 

[Kaiserin]

These guys mistimed the release date/hype confluence. I was in such a consumer frenzy about this when we were first seeing Wright's GDC presentation thing I might have killed the Pope for a copy. Now I feel like it's a game I've already played somehow.

What's strange is that features that were shown in the original demo ended up entirely absent from the game. I know this happens from time to time, but what puzzles me about it is that the things that were removed were mostly cosmetic.

I understand the idea of saying what you might and might not put in, but christ sakes showing us in game footage of something and then cutting it later is a pretty low marketing blow.

 

[Fez]

I don't know who in their right mind could give this game 90%+ scores and glowing reviews that neglect to mention the glaring issues. That is assuming the scores weren't simply bought.

 

[Spectacle]

How is the Sims without expansions compared to Spore?

The Sims is not really a game, more of a virtual dollhouse, life/relationship simulator. The Sims may not appeal much to hardcore gamers, but what it does, it does well.

Spore however, isn't sandboxy enough to be a fun software toy, nor is it challenging enough to be a good game. It's mediocre no matter how you look at it. I have a feeling even casual gamers will get bored pretty quickly with Spore.

 

[VenomByte]

Will Wrights reaction to critics, from an MTV interview:

"We were very focused, if anything, on making a game for more casual players. “Spore” has more depth than, let’s say, “The Sims” did. But we looked at the Metacritic scores for “Sims 2″, which was around 90, and something like “Half-Life“, which was 97, and we decided — quite a while back — that we would rather have the Metacritic and sales of “Sims 2″ than the Metacritic and sales of “Half-Life.”
—Will Wright

Roughly translated:
"'We decided we'd rather make money than have a good game.'"

I was going to buy a copy, but then I read all the crappy reports and thought perhaps the 'try before you buy' internet model might be a better option...

 

[Lord Chambers]

Roughly translated:
"'We decided we'd rather have an enormous hit that will be played and loved by more people and influence the world to a greater degree than have a game which may have a good metacritic score.'"

Fixed.

 

[Ryuken]

I'm tempted to not even bother and just head straight for the centre of the galaxy.

to be able reach the center you need to unlock the click-1500-times-on-random-stars-within-ship-range achievement, and a cheat or trainer for hp.

Nah, just pack in enough hp boosts, and enough Colonization packages so that once you arrive near the Grox you just need to colonize a lone planet in the vicinity and recharge/heal there. It's actually quite easy that way. Also, it's simple to ditch missions if you want, no stance penalty even when you do it. Galaxy centre is funny and the game doesn't really stop then but there isn't much to keep on going forever. I've even encountered the same species (2x the Fernikki Empire for example, only a different colour) in the same arm of the Galaxy more often than not, I guess there's a limit to the engine somehow.

Game has lots of flaws but it has loads of potential as well, not really that different from the GDC 2005 demo to be honest. Even then it was clear the most important part was going to be the Space stage. With any luck Maxis will get that balance right, I can't imagine that the casual peeps would put up with all the ridiculous "Ecodisaster! Pirates! Grox! All at once!" backtracking.

Also, for the folks with access to Sporepedia: my name is Olapola.

 

[MetalCraze]

Spore? An enormous hit? The guy I know plays Spore and drools all over himself while telling me about all those cool things in the game.
But from what I hear from him Spore feels very bland, without any depth and feels like a collection of editors rather than a game. Well there is also a very very dumbed down "gameplay" in space where you can trade and fight... and that's it.
When he said it's on a par with Space Rangers I only smiled.

The game is a stinking pile of shit it seems.

 

[SuicideBunny]

When he said it's on a par with Space Rangers I only smiled.

too bad, you should have punched him instead.

 

[Inziladun]

Definitely glad I didn't remove anything from an inventory rather than buy it. Even though I feel like I'm missing something from not having online access, I bet it's only a variety of penis monsters, which I can live without.

Really though, the game is pretty fun but it's ridiculous how much better the game could of been relatively easily just by fleshing out the gameplay a bit and extending different evolutionary options past the tribal stage(maybe more limited changes to make your creature appear more civilized rather than just adding clothes that hardly even cover your dude.)

But really, the very simplistic and repetitive strategy aspects of the tribal and Civ stages are extremely annoying, espiecally the Civ stage where conquering cities basically consists of continuosly zerg rushing their defenses until their defenses eventually crack and they can't rebuild their turrets in time.

 

[Balor]

Well, I wanted to buy it, but after hearing that it will cost 40$ instead of usual 20$, I'd say: fuck that, and leave it on inventory, and buy a 'bronze' version later, with couple of addons and a discount.. otherwise it's a ripoff. (Bronze - because 'Gold' would mean at least ten addons, heh)
I can totally see why they issued the editor before the game:
a. Extra hype.
b. To sway people who already payed for it to buy full game even in light not-so-glowing reviews...
c. To get at least something from people who would not buy it this rushed and butchered up (so pieces of it can be sold later for extra profit) product.
Anyway, I'm thinking to buy 'creature editor' and leave at that. That's the game's only real features, and it does cost its 10$.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Spore however, isn't sandboxy enough to be a fun software toy, nor is it challenging enough to be a good game. It's mediocre no matter how you look at it. I have a feeling even casual gamers will get bored pretty quickly with Spore.

I tend to agree on this. Spore is fun up until the Tribal mode when the game changes completely. The Cell mode is pretty boring, but when the creature gets on land, it gets interesting. Then you advance to Tribal and it's pretty meh.

Part of the problem is the peaceful options beyond the creature mode. It's a pain in the ass to get tribes to ally with you. You have a timed event where the other tribe wants to hear certain music from certain instruments, so you have to have one of you tribe trained in those instruments and you have to quickly click on the icon. It's a boring minigame, which is pretty annoying. It's easier to just kill them all.

The civilization mode is pretty one dimensional too.

 

[Heresiarch]

Don't give up hope guys! It will become much better after EA released its 143th expansion pack. It'll become so good that you'll find no need to play any other Blizzard or Sid Meier or elite-like games anymoar.

 

[SuicideBunny]

It's a pain in the ass to get tribes to ally with you. You have a timed event where the other tribe wants to hear certain music from certain instruments, so you have to have one of you tribe trained in those instruments and you have to quickly click on the icon. It's a boring minigame, which is pretty annoying. It's easier to just kill them all.

how's that different from creature stage socializing?

 

[Admiral Rimjob POOBUM]

Urghhghlgh space stage is a bad 4X game

 

[WhiskeyWolf]

There's a boycott on Amazon concerning Spores DLC and what not.

http://www.amazon.com/Spore-Pc/dp/B..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1220896130&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Spore-Galacti..._2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1220896130&sr=8-2

The people there are giving the game the lowest score possible.

 

[Jeff Graw]

Well there is also a very very dumbed down "gameplay" in space where you can trade and fight... and that's it.

No.

 

[Fez]

That's right. The trading aspect is a joke too.

 

[DiverNB]

That's right. The trading aspect is a joke too.

Seriously, I know you were looking up to this game a lot Fez, how would you rate how it turned out? Worth a purchase?

 

[Fez]

I was needing a new coaster anyway.

 

[DiverNB]

I was needing a new coaster anyway.

Mmm, the sound of disappointment. That sucks, coulda been a fun game.

 

[Kaiserin]

You can trade, fight, and ally actually.

 

[Fez]

Again, all pretty much a joke though.

 

[Ryuken]

Part of the problem is the peaceful options beyond the creature mode. It's a pain in the ass to get tribes to ally with you. You have a timed event where the other tribe wants to hear certain music from certain instruments, so you have to have one of you tribe trained in those instruments and you have to quickly click on the icon. It's a boring minigame, which is pretty annoying. It's easier to just kill them all.

Just press the 1,2,3 buttons, it's much easier that way (in Creature stage too). Though combat in general feels like the easy way idd. Then again, playing peacefully or more balanced in the first four stages will give you several abilities in the Space stage that might come in handy there, checking on your history from time to time can be useful in that regard.

"You can trade, fight, and ally actually."

... and terraform. The whole is still not quite as brilliant as a full space stage game could have been though. The evolution stuff is funny and all that but maybe it's better that in the future Wright just admits he would like to make his own Star Control 2.

 

[Naked Ninja]

It's not particularly deep, definitely. But I have to admit it has some charming moments.

Was a fairly cool moment when I was hanging out by my pack nest in the creature phase and a spaceship passed over head and started sucking up my nest-siblings, lol. I doubt it will hold my attention once I've experienced all the phases once but really I bought it because I appreciate the tech, as a programmer. Damn but it's an impressive piece of technology. Hopefully the gameplay will be fleshed out.