Darkspore Preview

EA and Maxis' Darkspore has been treated to yet another preview, and this time the coverage comes to us via Cheat Code Central.
Even if the stat customization is incredible, it looks like the appearance customization won't be nearly as cool as in Spore. Instead of starting off with a blank slate with the ability to make almost any creature imaginable, the player of Darkspore starts out with a basic creature and is given the ability to change it a little. You start with a big, hulking mass with appendages, and you can shrink the hands and feet and armor and make it more glowy or paint it different colors, but it's still a big, hulking mass. This is disappointing but not surprising, and is the main thing that makes Darkspore not Spore. Darkspore is less about creation and more about battle. At this point in the video game timeline, it's too much to ask for both.

If, however, the customization is as amazing as Maxis promises, then the PvP arenas will be flooded with creators looking to show off their creatures. Multiplayer will be a big part of Darkspore, with both PvP and co-op being heavily emphasized in the game's developer diaries. The PvP shown so far has been two vs. two players, with each person having a lineup of creatures that can switch in and out in an instant, provided they're charged up. Teamwork is key in these battles, as the right pull with the right area attack, or the right stun with the right poison attack, can combine to make a deadly situation for the opponents. Co-op modes for up to four players will also be available.
Where do you suppose this one will fall in comparison to Diablo III and Torchlight II?