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Evolution video game addictive on both PC, DS: DS

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After years in the making, the ambitiously deep and highly anticipated “Spore” has arrived on PC. But the game’s sales-appeal, like its diverse organisms, is staggeringly sprawling. From T-shirts, posters, figurines and mugs to comic books, collectable card games and forthcoming expansion packs, the future licensing plans for “Spore” are as expansive as they are obvious cash-ins on the game’s hype.

The game’s Nintendo DS spin-off, however, promises a faint glimmer of substance. “Spore Creatures,” although not as rewarding or impressive as the main title, offers a stand-alone experience that seldom feels gimmicky. Unfortunately, the experience is a bit underwhelming.

As the hardware deficiency obviously restricts many aspects of the original game, “Creatures” is not meant to be a substitute but rather a supplement, playing on the same concept with the same elements. That said, “Creatures” diverges with a more linear, story-driven (something about saving the galaxy) approach, effectively reducing the depth of exploration and control that is so rewarding in its mother version. As the name implies, the DS port also narrows the scope to only one evolutionary phase of the original Creature phase. While the creature creation mode, albeit simplified and not as graphically impressive, and the gameplay elements remain similar, “Creatures” is really an animal of its own. Or rather, if “Spore” is a creature, “Creatures” would just be a single-celled organism — on a quest to save the world for some reason.

To expect a portable clone of the original is unreasonable (except maybe on the PSP). To shrink a massive gaming experience is always an ambitious and risky endeavor because it will invariably be criticized for a general lacking. One needn’t look further than the DS ports of “Assassin’s Creed” and “Worms” to see this.

So then, does “Spore Creatures” have appeal? It’s no doubt a very polished game with smart presentation and function, but is it an undeniably worthwhile experience? Perhaps not. Without gameplay that’s as deep, rewarding and nonrepetitive, there are games more deserving of one’s time and devotion. For what it is, “Creatures” is well-made, but considering its limits, one wonders to what ends it was made — fans of the PC version will find it quaint but will ultimately prefer the more immersive experience, while those interested in the title are really better off playing the real thing.

Fun and creative as it is, “Spore Creatures” is a mini-experience, and as such, it isn’t particularly memorable. Whereas “Spore” may be heralded as “epic,” “Creatures” emerges as simply “neat.”

3 stars out of 5