Darkspore is the latest title from developer Maxis but unlike the game that it originated from, the evolution-simulation Spore, it combines both the creature customization features of the original and the addictive dungeon crawling, stat-boosting mechanics of an action role playing game. Slated for a late April 2011 release, the beta is now open to all Steam users and it is playable until this Friday at noon so it's a good time to finally open a Steam account for those Personal Computer owners who still don't believe in the service because this game is truly worth your time.
Ah... A refreshing paint bath.
You play as one of the surviving Crogenitors who must battle the creation-gone-wild Darkspore that has wiped your DNA-obsessed species to near extinction by using your genetic heroes. There is a grand total of 100 of these heroes that you can unlock, each with their own unique looks and special abilities. You can command up to a squad of 3 heroes that you can swap on the fly - there is a cooldown for swapping however - and beam down to different locations that serve as the game's dungeons. You can go on your adventure alone or play with 3 other players online, which is how this game is really meant to be played. As you progressed through the dungeons, you get to level up your heroes individually and pick up loots to equip on them. Just like Spore, you can customize the looks of your heroes. A lot of the equipments that you can attach to them can be physically altered as well. The basic build of the heroes' bodies cannot be altered however because apparently, Maxis wants to ensure that each of the 100 heroes can still be recognizable even after they are visually-altered by the players. Don't let that dissuade you from the game however: I have seen a couple of impressive looking modifications of the same hero so it is definitely possible to make your own unique-looking creations. The heroes are classified by elements and they adhere to familiar RPG classes like tanks, healers, and the likes.
A boss fight awaits you at the end of each dungeon.
The game has a player-versus-player mode as well but it's only unlockable when your Crogenitor hits level 10 - I am currently at level 9. It's basically an arena-based battle between teams that carries the same gameplay from the campaign - you select three heroes to bring with you to the battle to defeat your opponent's heroes. It's somewhat like a lite version of multiplayer online battle arena games because of the hero-combination focus but without the need to worry about levelling up nor defending the base during the bouts. So far, I am really enjoying this beta. Improving upon your heroes, both in their looks and their stats, is very addicting. There's a lot of content available in this beta as well with the campaign stretching all the way up to 9 levels. I am certainly convinced that I do want the game when it is finally released. One thing is for sure: it will definitely make that wait for Diablo III a lot easier. Unless of course Blizzard decides to release that game in 2020... Which is quite possible.
FIRST IMPRESSION: 4 out of 5
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