darkspore posts

Darkspore is finally out, and it's getting a decent amount of praise. After all, the action RPG market has been a little barren of good releases since Torchlight, and Darkspore isn't bad. As with all launch trailers, this trailer doesn't show anything of real substance, just snippets from reviews intermingled with random in-game footage. Showy and flashy. You shouldn't need much convincing at this point, though. After all, the open beta ran for quite a while!

Download the Darkspore Launch Trailer
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The final week in April will see an action-RPG spin-off from an already established game franchise, along with two new entries in two episodic adventure games.

Darkspore - Electronic Arts releases this game that's loosely based on the 2008 released alien evolution game Spore. Darkspore is a sci-fi action-RPG that uses a version of Spore's Creature Creature to help improve and add to your player creatures as the battles enemies across several different planets. The game has a persistent multiplayer mode and also has support for up to four players in co-op. It also has an MMO-like player vs player mode.

The latest character trailer for Darkspore unveils a hero that seems very familiar. Perhaps it's because he has all the classic assassin traits: backstabbing, dual-wielding, weakness exposing, and outright stealthing. It's certainly got us interested, especially given the combination potential with his stealth. Besides showing off Skar, this trailer doesn't really have anything else, so if you aren't particularly interested in Darkspore, it's best skipped.

Download Darkspore 'Skar Hero Spotlight' Trailer
Download Darkspore Open Beta Client (5.2 GB)
Check out all Darkspore downloads

Gallery: Darkspore Screenshots

This client installs the open beta for Darkspore, the sci-fi action role-playing game where players can upgrade their heroes with various body parts and gear. The open beta allows access to the first few levels of the game and ends on April 22, 2011. Participation in the beta requires an EA account and an active internet connection. Continue reading after the jump for system requirements.

Darkspore is currently scheduled to release on April 26 in North America and April 28 in Europe.

Download Darkspore Open Beta Client (5.2 GB)
Check out all Darkspore downloads

After holding a previous open beta test of Darkspore via Steam, Electronic Arts has now released a stand alone open beta client for the upcoming sci-fi action-RPG. The open beta for the game will last from now on April 22. The beta client contains 12 maps and 15 character progressions.

You can check out a massive patch notes list for the latest beta client at the game's official web site. It includes the addition of the Endless Play mode, described as letting players "chain to harder versions of the same Darkspore Threat level to prove their skills and to increase the chance of gaining rare special items." The game itself is set for release on April 26.

Download the Darkspore Open Beta Client at Big Download

It's time for more trailers about the Darkspore heroes! This one in particular covers the Meditron hero, who functions much like a support DPS and healer combination. He apparently has one of the only buff/debuff removal tools in the game, and his squad ability is a powerful channeled heal and maximum health buff. This doesn't really mean anything without watching the trailer, though, so if you have a hankering for some more information on Darkspore, here's your chance!

Download Darkspore 'Meditron Hero Spotlight' Trailer
Check out all Darkspore downloads

As promised earlier this month, Electronic Arts has now launched an open beta for Darkspore, the upcoming sci-fi action-RPG that's based loosely on 2009's alien evolution sim Spore. The open beta is available for anyone to download and play for free via Steam and will run through this Friday, April 1. The beta will include support for four player co-op along with 1v1 and 2v2 Player vs Player matches

People can also pre-order the game via Steam as well as a Darkspore four-pack that includes four downloadable copies of the game you can give to friends for the price of three copies. While the game was previously announced as being released this week, Darkspore is now scheduled to be released on April 26.

After spotting some changes to Darkspore's release date on several retail web sites Thursday, we emailed publisher Electronic Arts to find out if the upcoming sci-fi action-RPG's March 29 release date would be delayed. While we never heard back from EA, the game's official message board has now confirmed that Darkspore's release date will indeed be pushed back a few weeks.

According to the message the new release date will be April 26 for the US with Europe getting the game on April 28. According to the post the delay was decided after receiving feedback from gamers from the recent closed beta tests. More closed beta events will be coming and sometime before the game's release there will be an open beta for anyone to play.

If retailer web sites are to be believed, the upcoming sci-fi action RPG Darkspore from Electronic Arts could miss its scheduled March 29 release date to sometime in May. The Gamestop.com web site now shows a May 3 release date for the game while Amazon.com has moved the release date to May 31. Finally Steam's pre-order page for the game now shows a generic May 2011 release date.

The action-RPG based loosely on EA Maxis' 2009 life simulator Spore recently held a series of beta test weekends ahead of its planned March 29 launch. It's possible that EA felt that Darkspore needed more development time after seeing the results of the beta. If it has been delayed to May that means it will be entering an already crowded month full of major PC game releases. We have contacted the game's PR reps for confirmation of a new release date.

Big Download will be working alongside EA and Maxis all month long to giveaway beta access to Darkspore, the unique sci-fi action role-playing game where players players can completely customize their heroes with creature parts and powers.

We're giving away 3,000 keys throughout the week for the final two beta sessions in March. The first session starts today Friday, March 4th 6pm PST and ends on Saturday, March 5th at 11:59pm PST. The fourth and final beta session starts Friday, March 11th 6pm PST and ends on Saturday, March 12th at 11:59pm PST

Continue after the jump for system requirements and to watch a beta gameplay trailer.

Additional features will be added as the beta period progresses. Darkspore is currently scheduled to release on March 29, 2011 (April 1 in Europe).

Want to get in the beta? Getting a key is easy!

1. Send us an email at contests@bigdownload.com with the subject line "Darkspore Beta Key Request."
2. We will reply with your own personal beta key (supplies limited).
3. Visit beta.darkspore.com and click "Join Beta" to register your key. You will need to create an EA account if you don't already have one.
4. Download and install the game client.

The game will automatically update itself with the latest patches and registered players will be eligible to participate in all upcoming Darkspore beta sessions. System requirements and game description are shown after the jump. A special thanks to EA and Maxis for providing the beta keys.