Pros & Cons
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- Decent graphics, particularly in the cut scenes.
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- Frustrating fight scenes.
- Bad implementation of DS controls.
Spore Hero Arena Specs
| ESRB Rating: | E for Everybody |
| Genre: | Role-Playing |
| Platform: | Nintendo DS |
DRM issues aside, 2008's Spore was generally fairly well received on its release, owing a lot to the depth of the multistage gameplay. Naturally, EA has done what it can to capitalize on the burgeoning franchise. Including this year's Galactic Adventures expansion pack, Hero Arena is the fourth spin-off. Like its predecessors, Creatures and Origins, for the iPhone and DS, respectively, Hero Arena is a decidedly shallow take on the Spore franchise.
The game has some of its namesake's creator building, but centers primarily around fighting scenes, which pop up between RPG-like wandering sessions. The battle scenes rely heavily on the DS's stylus, and involve a lot of pushing other creatures off of ledges. Ultimately the Spore name is the game's downfall. What might be a reasonably entertaining game is ultimately sullied by any comparisons to the depth of its predecessor.
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