Sug head – ‘Spore’ lets you create your own civilization from scratch, but that’s where the fun ends

In the latest project from “The Sims” creator Will Wright, the God-simulation game “Spore” allows players to create single-cell organisms that will grow and evolve from a land-faring species to tribal civilization and eventually into an intergalactic fight for supreme reign.

Although this concept is absolutely fantastic, the execution is flawed, to say the least. “Spore” works extremely well as a sort of “3-D Animator for Dummies” program, but as a game, it simply isn’t fun.

During the game, players will either befriend other species or attack them while searching for new parts to customize their creature, buildings and more. The options are extremely varied, and there is a lot of fun to be had in simply creating things over and over. People with grand imaginations are likely to fare well here.

Unfortunately, if players don’t want to take the time to create a deep experience, the immense potential of “Spore” goes untapped. There are no paths to follow — players are simply thrown into this world and told to create, create, create. There’s simply no real purpose, drive or way to “win.”

Graphically, the palette is warm, vibrant and inviting. The fact that even the goofiest looking creature will animate and emote as well as any other is nothing if not astounding.

Cutesy animal noises abound, as does quirky “Sim”-like speech. In keeping with the create-everything mantra, “Spore” even allows players to customize their civilization’s music.

Overall, “Spore” is a wonderful product. It’s inviting, it’s moldable and its concepts are astonishing. As a game however, it fails to deliver the essential trait of deep and rewarding game play.

—Sophie Prell is a junior in pre-journalism and mass communication from Alta.