Well since my computer is balls and it isn't for XBox 360 I'm sure I'll never actually be able to play it. Because the DS version probably sucks.

Spore actually looks so fun that it might be the first "real" PC game i buy.

Woah!! Spore looks incredible!! I didn't care for what Dan said at the end though. It's obviously not trying to be a hardcore RTS game, it's just not meant to play like that. Like Kristen said, you're just meant to play.

i noticed quite a few people talking about how their pc's suck which forces the question: what are the system requirments for this game? did i miss that info somewhere?

Yes I have to play this game..Wheres my Free copy =)

www.amnipata.com

"Standard interface features like control groups are completely absent"

Sorry Dan, but that feature IS present in the Civ stage (not in the Tribal stage though).

Spore deserves to be played of course but it also deserves to be patched and improved upon as well.

And again, no mention of the DRM system. Masses of people who pay for this game will think they just bought another software license.

No a word of the "you only buy 3 activations." thing, and what this actually means for customers.

I think EA has the right to release their games in any way they like. But it is very disappointing that this review does not include any information about what you (don't) get for your money.

Some people install games only once or twice, and then they forget about it. Others will be shocked to find out that they may not be able to play Spore for many years. I'm not saying that Spore is a bad game. But I am very disappointed that PC Gamer does not mention such important information in the review. It is very important information if you consider buying this game.

(PS: And yes, I know that you may pay for a call to EA support and they will maybe reset your activation count for another 3 installs. But you have no right to get this reset, it is really only a accommodation that they can reject whenever they feel like it)

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000FKBCX4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spore_(2008_video_game)#Digital_rights_management

http://consumerist.com/tag/mass-effect-DRM/?i=5016980&t=ea-allows-3-activations-of-mass-effect-and-thats-it-period

Please review every part of the game. I have read on many forums and websites about how EA will, as of now, only allow 3 installs of this game total, unless you call them to get permission. Don't you think this is an important part of the game? I mean your computer gamers, don't you have to uninstall and reinstall games all the time. How did this little fact get missed? You say in your review that you can hardly find anything wrong with the game. I though you guys were going to release information about games that contain DRM? I hope this was more of an honest mistake as opposed to not wanting to lose those EA dollars.

Lordkemo, I assure you that our editorial is never influenced by advertisers. Watch this: EA SUCKS! BOOO!

The Sims made the jump to consoles... just sayin'...

Tyler, Thanks for the reply. PC Gamer has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I am wondering though if there was a reason that the extremely restrictive DRM was not put into the review? Do you guys consider it to not be part of the game? I'm not accusing, just wondering.

Actually, I'd personally bet my boss' paycheck (he makes more than me, you see) that they'll patch away that restriction later on, once sales have cooled a bit.

Your point is well made, though. The heavy-handed DRM is worth a mention, certainly. And I'm glad you were here to make that mention. Thanks for contributing!

Seriously, we're so glad to have comments on the site - I can't even tell you how cool it is.

maybe ill get this next year but its totally on my list

It's apt that someone who doesn't really play strategy games reviews a game that tries so hard to be one. With all the stuff they said would be in the game, it sure fell short of expectations. The initial cell/creature stage are probably the best part of the game and its where you get to design goofy looking monsters and then either kill or befriend everything. Everything after that is a mess of extremely simplified game play. Send a unit to attack a village, village taken, do it again x 6, level up to the next stage. There's nothing in between that makes you want to keep playing. 91% is being generous, I think its more of a 85% based on the concept and early delivery but falls way flat in the end.

and btw PC Gamer is a sham of a magazine, anything that is hyped gets a great score regardless of whether it deserves it or not. A magazine filled with 120 pages and a good 25-40% is ads, you pay premium dollars for ads ? Uh, I thought that's supposed to drive the costs DOWN.

Although, i'm a bit angry with the spore and mass effect reviews as well as the red alert preview not saying anything about DRM, I still think that PC Gamer is a great mag and i look forward to it every month.

It's got ad's... so what. You pay 20 bucks for 12 mag's How do you think they pay the bills. next your going to tell me that TV is a sham and Going to pro sporting events is a sham, Or driving down the highway is a sham.

Just turn the pages and keep on reading. If not, save your 20 bucks and eat a couple of cheeseburgers i guess.

I want this game so bad!!!

Spore will probably never be ported to anything other than crappy version on the ds and iphone/ipod touch so youll need a pretty basic gaming pc to play it properly which isnt very hard

I bought the game yesterday - here's my quick thoughts.

At first i thought it was quite short because i gt to the space stage within a day (apparent last stage in game) only to find out that what took me a day to do on one planet i would have to do to a whole universe to even think about completing the game. its actually an endless game i feel that it mite just beat the sims in the best game of all time, its got way to much potential not to, it doesn't get boring like the sims does.

That's why no body is going to see me for a very long time i will be in me room with my fridge TV and mac book with spore burning through the driver.

5 ***** stars - defiantly a very impressive game.

K.R.

Spore is PIMPIN