I have a friend who works for EA, and he was very excited about the game. When it was released, I played it for about 8 hours total and I havent really touched it since. I found the creature editor to be the most enjoyable, making just weird animals and such, but the flexibility that the game was promoting wasnt there imo.
Also the game promotes a simple play style taht combines a whole bunch of differetn genre together to make spore. This also makes the game completly watered down and not very enjoyable per stage.
If i wanted a hack and slash, I'd go play diablo 2, a very well made hack and slash.
If i wanted to play an RTS, I'd go play starcraft, once again, a very good rts.
If i wanted to play a city building, expand and conquor turn based, there is always civilization series, every game in that series is very good as well.

I just didnt find spore to be that interesting. But of course some people like bananas and some dont.

personal score.
4/10 overall