Spore Creatures

Infobox VG
title = Spore Creatures


developer = Foundation 9
publisher = Electronic Arts
designer = Will Wright
released = vgrelease|Europe|EU|September 5 2008cite web| last = Bramwell| first = Tom| title = Spore release date announced| publisher = Eurogamer| date = 2008-02-12| url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=92588| accessdate = 2008-02-12] vgrelease|North America|NA|September 7 2008cite web |url=http://www.spore.com/press_021208.php |title=EA and Maxis to ship Spore in September |date=2008-02-12 |publisher=Electronic Arts |accessdate=2008-02-12 ]
genre = Life simulation / RPG
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E (Everyone)
platforms = Nintendo DS

"Spore Creatures" is the Nintendo DS spin-off of "Spore", developed by Foundation 9, in which a player controls and evolves a creature of their creation.

Gameplay

The game focuses on the Creature phase of the larger game, with elements of "Nintendogs" and "Drawn to Life". Unlike the characters of "Spore", creatures are completely 2D, [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3166218 1Up "Spore Creatures" preview.] ] [http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/joystiq-impressions-spore-creatures-ds/ Joystiq preview, "Spore Creatures".] ] but the environments remain 3D.

"Spore Creatures" is a more story-based game as the gamer plays as an oogie. Another oogie creature is kidnapped by a UFO and you are forced to survive in strange islands over the course of 12 levels, when the game ends you can do replay mode. The creature is created and modified in an editor, using points earned to give the creature different body parts and skills. The player is given 20 points at the start with which to build their initial creature. [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3166218 1Up "Spore Creatures" preview.] ]

The game focuses on survival, which includes finding food and eventually a mate, with mini-games such as singing and dancing for friend-making. [http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/spore/854491p1.html GameSpy "Spore Creatures" preview] ] A large part of the game involves collecting items, allowing players to earn 60 badges based on game moments and actions. The players can also perform side quests and play mini-games to unlock skills and 280 hidden creature parts, which are given to the player by other friendly creatures, akin to "Animal Crossing". [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3166218 1Up "Spore Creatures" preview.] ] [http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/spore/854491p1.html GameSpy "Spore Creatures" preview] ] Some parts grant "Bio-Powers", such as a quick healing ability or flame-breath. [http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/spore/854491p1.html GameSpy "Spore Creatures" preview] ]

Combat consists of the player initiating the fight with another creature by selecting it to go into a one-on-one combat screen in which the creatures face off against each other."On the Spot", August 14, 2008 episode, "GameSpot"]

The Nintendo DS version of the "Sporepedia" resembles and functions more like "Pokémon's" Pokédex than that used in the main version of Spore.

Multiplayer

The game will allow the player to save thirty different creations, including those from friends over a local, peer-to-peer connection. Players can have their creatures interact via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection; "Spore Creatures" is one of the few Nintendo DS or Wii games to allow a player to opt out of needing to input Friend Codes. [http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/joystiq-impressions-spore-creatures-ds/ Joystiq preview, "Spore Creatures".] ]

Reception

VG Reviews
EuroG = 5/10
IGN =7.8/10
EGM=C+ [cite journal|author=Jennifer Tsao|year=2008|month=October|title=Not quite what Darwin had in mind|journal=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=233|pages=92|issn=1058-918X] "IGN" awarded "Spore Creatures" a 7.8 of 10 review, commenting on its lasting appeal, "The adventure is lengthy with tons of achievements to shoot for. The creature creator might not be as elaborate as PC "Spore", but there's still a ton you can do to make some bizarre organisms."cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/907/907763p1.html| title=IGN "Spore Creatures" review| pages=1| language=English| date= 2008-09-04| accessdate= 2008-09-04| author= Craig Harris| work=IGN| publisher= IGN] "Eurogamer", however, panned the game in its 5 of 10 review, stating that the game ignored what made "Spore" special, and that the "imaginative and sociable sandbox game feels like an afterthought, stuck in an uninspiring cycle of fetch-quests and grinding."cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=229602|title= Eurogamer "Spore Creatures" review| language= English| pages=2 |work=Eurogamer| publisher= Eurogamer| date=2008-09-05| accessdate= 2008-09-05| author= Dan Whitehead]

ee also

*"Spore"
*"Spore Origins"
*"Nintendogs"

References

* [http://www.metro.se/se/article/2008/09/09/15/3113-48/index.xml "Spore makes you God" Article in tech newspaper Metro Tech]

External links

* [http://www.spore.com Official site]
* [http://www.f9e.com/ Developer site]