I just got into the Darkspore alpha test.

"Darkspore Patch Note

Patch 0.0.0.0"

I think it's the first time I've ever gotten in on the first round of tests. They even say it's a Alpha build despite the fact they call it a "beta test"

I'll let you know what I think of the game so far, I didn't have to agree to a NDA (I think). It's only a 36 hour test for the first time.

Cool, post some screens too.

Did you have to press "I agree" in anything at all? If you did you're probably under a NDA. Not sure though

I contacted Maxis/EA and I am under a NDA but it's not strict. Just don't post anything I say or show here on the front page and we should be fine.

So far this game is really entertaining. From the start it's not quite like Spore, but more like Diablo 3 (if such a thing is possible due to Diablo 3 not being out yet.) that has a ton of characters of which you can edit their armor and weapons. I'm assuming eventually I'll unlock the ability to create my own hero? Otherwise the character editing seems pointless and you could just equip all the gear on your character's head and it would give the same effect as making it look nice and logical as all it's effecting are your stats (like equipment in Diablo).

That's not the fun part though...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen001.png

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen009.png

The game is played from the top down perspective just like Diablo, but the difference is you build a team of 3 characters. Every character has a different set of 5 skills that are unlocked during the story mode.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen002.png

Story mode is not single player only, as there is a simple quick auto matching system that pairs you with 2 other people about to tackle the same level you are, or a party invite system that lets you find friends or recruit random people from the server loby which consists of everyone in the game as it's always online (which I'm assuming will be their way of DRM with this title, as the multiplayer is fun and adds an experience bonus)

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen003-1.png

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen004.png

Cool and Varied Environments that are randomly generated

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen005.png

Fun Abilities

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen006.png

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen007.png

Every level has a boss and a swarm of enemies.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/z357x/Screen008.png

You can get random drops just as you play, but they are mostly normal items. At the end of every level you get the chance for a rare item.

Anyway I'm done with screenshots for now. The game is very buggy still, but that's to be expected this early in testing. It's crashed on me 3 times already.

Looking good to me, thanks for the post :)

So I got access to the beta until midnight tonight

unfortunately I'm not home until sunday so if anyone wants a beta key send me a pm and you can play for a day

Once you get access to the beta you stay on. They have beta tests every weekend.