Accessories

Love the Game, Hate the DRM (So I Refuse to Buy it)
Just download a cracked copy until EA inevitably removes the DRM. This game is insanely fun and addicting. The only thing I have ever played that is more fun is Wild ARMs 5. You won't be able to access online content, but you can still download creatures, etc., into your game, so who cares?

Best Ever
This game is the best. It is way more game than I thought. I will never finish..........

Not Worth the Full Price
I didn't pay for this book. Instead, I got it for free because of a special deal Amazon was offering. As a free book, I have no problems with the Spore guide. It offers a few details and insights not found in the game hints, and also has a lot of examples of different types of creatures for the creatively-challenged.

That said, this guide is not worth the full price. The majority of the content IS simply a repeat of the game hints that come automatically turned on with the game. If you get it for free or a couple bucks, then pick it up. Otherwise, don't bother.

Handy Reference but could use better visuals
I've found the guide to be a very handy reference when I need a quick explanation of something. It could use some better visuals when describing certain functions, such as the terraforming panels, etc.

Overall, it's good to have it around so you don't get lost. It's definately not a walkthrough guide, but a pretty good reference.

Worst Guide I've Bought
I've had really good luck buying strategy guides but this one was the worst and an obvious waste of money that I regret.

Pros:
Good details on every single selectable item and lots of good examples of setups for every single stage except one.
There are some hints periodically that I didn't think of till reading this guide.

Cons:
The only stage this book is terrible at is the most in-depth and difficult stage in the game. The Space stage. 80 - 90% of the book is dedicated to the earlier stages but only a sliver is on the hardest/most complex stage.

Overall impression:
[...]. Do a little homework online for any details/hints/walkthroughs you might need and you will be far better off with even more cash in your pocket. Sure there are a couple of hints in there I didn't think of, but not [...] worth of hints and help. Maybe [...] worth. Save your money.

Side venting regarding the game.... I HATE DRM. They are going to DRM Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 as well. What JERKS! I'm the type that uninstalls a game, reinstalls, uninstalls, reinstalls. It's all based on what I feel like at any moment in time and given that I own hundreds of games, it's easy to change my mind for something else. The DRM did NOT affect the 2 stars I gave to the guide. The guide really did deserve 2 stars. The game is worth 4-5 stars but I gave it a 1 because I don't want to be annoyed when I reinstall my own game. Why should I have to justify my life to some stranger just to get another install license?