While first-person shooter games starring testosterone-riddled super soldiers may top sales charts, the prospect of leaving a mark on the world, albeit virtual, intrigues gamers. The idea of putting control of an entire world into player's hands isn't new. In other words, Spore aims to give players the power to shape an entire universe. Eventually, as the creatures become dominant life forms, players can unite warring factions and direct them to begin colonizing space. As the creatures begin to multiply, players must guide them through the tribal stages of society. Once a creature hits land, adding cosmetic feathers may help it attract mates and form alliances with other species, but those additions come at the expense of other traits. Adding extra flagella may make your amoeba swim faster, but it will take a toll on its defenses. Their decisions influence how well their creatures will survive the evolutionary process. 'Spore' players act like intelligent designers, guiding life from primordial ooze to the cosmos. In Pictures: 10 Games That Let You Play God Wielding the power of a deity, players direct the entire course of civilization-with their decisions impacting each stage of evolution. That makes 'Spore' the quintessential game, giving players a chance to create an alternative universe. By their nature, videogames are an outlet for our aspirations, an escape from the mundane and a way to reflect on alternate destinies.

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