As a cell and creature, your actions are limited to eating, avoiding being eaten, and discovering things that will help you evolve. The Tribal and Civilization stages play like real-time strategy games, but their implementation lack sophistication are are too simplistic. You only have three unit types in the Civilization stage (land, sea, and air) and combat is a simple numbers game. While you have three civilization tactics to choose--Economic, Militaristic, or Religious--the Religious and Militaristic cultures play almost exactly the same; the Economic style plays differently but it's by far the hardest of three. Perhaps as a commentary on life itself, playing as a predator in Spore is the easiest way to progress. I finished the Civilization stage in about a third of the time with the Military style than when I tried the same feat while playing as an Economic city. To Spore's credit, though, the Space stage is the best stage, with a beautiful, rich, and deep experience. By comparison, the first four stages seem like prolonged tutorials leading to the Space stage.

Gameplay aside, Spore has for its use of digital rights management (DRM) software to prevent piracy. Many gamers have complained about the stringent SecuROM anti-piracy software included in the game that required authentication upon installation and online use. Originally, the product key could only be activated on three computers, but EA, in response to public outcry, has since raised the limit to five. The controversy is perhaps the most visible example of the growing tension between publisher's increased attempts at preventing piracy and consumers' assertions that such systems are intrusive and impractical. EA has shown that it is willing to respond to the wishes of users and amended the Spore user license agreement, but the anti-piracy controversy is likely only beginning. Spore's sales likely suffered as consumers reacted negatively to the DRM software's inclusion in the game. Developers will have to decide if they are willing to risk that backlash in the future or if they are willing to sell games more susceptible to piracy.

Macworld's buying advice

With its flexibility in customization, its multi-stage sim development, and its social features, many gamers thought that Spore would redefine the gaming industry. And it some ways, it may have. The level of customization in Spore has never been attempted before, and the sociability aspect with the Sporepedia is one of the coolest features in a game I've played in a long time. If the developers could marry the connectivity and customization of Spore with deeper gameplay and equally imaginative strategies, we'd have a truly evolved game. For now, Spore is a comical, beautiful, and surprisingly fun journey that will likely satisfy casual gamers but will disappoint fans hoping to see a Wright masterpiece.

[Chris Holt is a Macworld assistant editor.]