MTV Multiplayer » We’ve Got ‘Spore’ Impressions… Of The iPod Version

We’ve Got ‘Spore’ Impressions… Of The iPod Version

Posted by Patrick Klepek on 8/26/08 at 3:06 pm.

“Spore” doesn’t ship for the PC for a couple of weeks, but it’s already out on iPods.

Electronic Arts snuck the cell-stage-only version of “Spore” onto the iTunes yesterday. This version of “Spore” is not compatible with the iPhone or iPod Touch. Those are coming soon.

Interestingly, this one controls far better than the iPhone version that I’ve played several times. The accelerometer-based controls there are a little unwieldy, while the iPod version manipulates your cell’s motion with the thumbwheel.

EA claims you’ll even be able to tap into the Sporepedia index of user-created creatures. So is this version of “Spore” worth five bucks?

More hands-on impressions after the jump:

Unfortunately, the Sporepedia option isn’t possible yet. iPod “Spore” points users to EA’s mobile website, which still features a “coming soon” tag. The idea is you’ll register with EA and gain the ability to download user-made creatures to your own iPod. Their unique, customized characteristics are deduced with a “DNA Code.”

I’d previously been told such a feature would not be possible with the iPhone version. Strange, considering the old iPod product line has no Internet connection. Once the website is functional, I’ll let you all know how the feature works.

There are 16 “stages” to play through in iPod “Spore.” None of the first eight stages I’ve witnessed looks very different from the others. The only distinctions are the enemy types. As you progress further in the game, your cell becomes larger and capable of eating larger creatures. One neat touch is the ability to see the massive creatures hidden away in future stages by peering into the game’s backgrounds. (That visual trick was also used in the PS3 downloadable game “flOw.”)

“Spore” is a fun distraction in mobile form. Compared to the customization possibilities in the already available “Spore Creature Creator,” however, it’s a tad dull. Whereas the “Creature Creator” allows your imagination to run wild, “Spore” on the iPod is much more limited. You can alter the color, texture, amount of eyes and limbs, change the size of various body parts — there are options. Given what’s been typically seen in mobile games, it’s admirable, but knowing what “Spore” is capable of elsewhere, it’s disappointing.

Available for $4.99 right now, there are worse ways to spend a few bucks. But if the Sporepedia is a hook for you, it may be worth waiting things out a bit.

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Filed Under: EA, Spore, ipod