Darkspore Review

Described as Diablo in space, Darkspore (the sequel to the popular PC game Spore) arrived on the shelves today.  Although not considered to be an MMO, it does display a lot of similar features in regard to their multiplayer and PvP aspects.  

There is no character creation, you are given a hero known as a “living weapon” to play initially, and may eventually earn up to a hundred different heroes.  The living weapons are separated into three classes and five different genetic groups.  The classes are:

1.  Sentinel:  Slow but possess great defences and melee power

2.  Ravager:  Balanced in both stats and speed

3.  Tempest:  Ranged and Support

The genetic groups include:

1.  Plasma:  Fire and electricity

2.  Quantum:  Time-space and matter

3.  Bio:  Plants, animals, poisons, and life

4.  Cyber:  Bullets and energy beams

5.  Necro :  Death, darkness, fear, souls, and the twisting reality

You may have three living weapons to play in each level and may alternate between them at anytime pending the cool-down after each switch.   The heroes all have a basic attack you use by left-clicking your mouse, and have five other abilities that can be used by pressing the corresponding number keys (1-5).   Abilities one and two are your current hero’s powers, while three to five are your shared abilities between your party avatars.

The character editor was one of my favorite highlights in the game.  You use it to equip body parts, armor, and weapons.  Unless specified the different gear can be placed anywhere on your hero’s body and resized to your liking.

 As well you may customize each living weapon to your liking.  My heroes ended up being bright pinks and purples in a variety of different patterns.  This editor could be described as an improved form of the editor from Spore. 

While single player game-play was fun, the real attraction is the co-op mode.  You and four friends may play through the Darkspore campaigns with three heroes per person.  Test out different strategies and group make-ups while you battle your way through the Darkspore storyline.  As this game was designed with multi-player being a huge part, the encounters were made to scale in difficulty.   For instance, the more players you bring along the more enemies will be attacking.  As well, there are special creatures meant to delay you on your journey.

At level ten you unlock the PvP feature.  This aspect of the game seemed to be much like arena matches (1v1 and 2v2).  You (along with your three heroes) may go up against other player's heroes.  These matches seemed to be fairly challenging from all the different combinations of heroes you can put together.  To win, one team must defeat all three of their opponents living weapons.  A leader board and ranking will be implemented and I have heard that players may bet various parts (gear) or some of the heroes they have unlocked on the battle.


Darkspore is an overall solid game.  I would definitely recommend you and a couple friends go pick up the game and burn through some co-op.  Don’t forget to tell me what you think by commenting below or follow me on twitter @akadarcee.