I think that Maxis has made an impressive product that does so many incredible things. Spore will serve as an introduction to gaming for many; it’s clear that many nontraditional gamers will check it out. As such, this feels sort of like a sampler plate to gaming, introducing newcomers to the different types of gameplay out there. But much more than that, Spore will make you think about science, and when was the last time you could say that about a game? It’ll inspire people to learn more about the universe and imagine what’s possible out there. Spore also pushes the idea of user-generated content to incredible new heights; this is a game where users will make the vast majority of things that you encounter, and this creation and sharing is done seamlessly. The Galactic Edition of Spore carries a $30 premium over the regular edition, and it’s an attractive package that includes a National Geographic special related to Spore, a “Making of Spore” DVD, and an art book. However, these extras don’t affect the gameplay at all.

IGN: Spore Galactic Review