Video: Zero Punctuation - Spore
I have to say, as usual, Yahtzee is pretty much spot on. Looking back at what Spore was originally being billed as and what it is now, it's a somewhat different product. I'm still enjoying it but it's definitely got it's issues, like most other games.
Zero Punctuation: Spore [Escapist]
Sgt. Sausagepants
Posted to Video Games, Videos on 18 September 2008
· Comments (2)
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Will himself did not like the hype at all. Not only does it create impossible expectations for a game but it does something which I think is far more damaging: people create there own vision of what the game should be. A game that wasn't even being made. And we are surprised that many are disappointed?
The review of Spore in this months (November) PCGamer reflect the thoughts I had before and after I played the game. The media hyped upon itself (with a little push from EA marketers) on thinking this would be the game to end all games. I encourage you to take a look at the landmark presentations for the game: GDC 2005 and so forth. The product delivered is not that far off from what we saw. It was *us* who said this would be the game to end all games.
We also forget the kinds of products Maxis makes. All we have in recent memory is the Sims franchise. SimCity 4 is a distant memory of 2003. Lets go back further. There was SimEarth/Ant/Isle/Farm/Refinery/Tower/Health/Copter/City 2000... and they did not bill these as games, they called them software toys. Go play some. Spore is really no different although much of my memory of these comes from negslagia (bugger of a word to spell). When one looks at Spore with the same paradigm as CoD 4, HalfLife 2, Supreme Commander, then we fail the evaluate it for what it was made for. Yet if we appreciate it not as a game to be played and won but as a toy, were we get enjoyment for simply participating, then perhaps those who were disappointed with Spore may find new found appreciation for it.
Not being able to properly sign into Live anyway and not generally fond of long build-up RTS anyway, I guess I'll skip this game in favor of something more fast-paced and visceral.
That said, there is a Warhammer Online Trailer after the main video which I found most impressive. The style seems to draw heavily from the last LOTR movie and the powers wielded appear very impressive indeed. Alas, it is but another grind-till-you-drop MMorpuger, in which, once you wield awesome powers, so will the enemy. If you strip away graphics and design from the games, all that is left is you cursoring yourself into the vicinity of other objects (enemies) and mashing the skill buttons you have mapped out until said other objects vanish. You will never overpower your enemies by a lot because a) They will not react by more than a squeal or grunt and b) Their "xp" and "loot" are worthless to you. In short, rocking enemies is a waste of time. Who plays games where having fun is being punished?!