There is something a lot of you seem to be missing. If you are a hardcore gamer, SPORE wasn't aimed at you.

It may be hard to believe, but gamers aren't the center of the Universe (the real one we live in, not the cyber universe where "people" use terms like NOOB and XTR3M3 and FAIL).

EA and Maxis are aiming for a larger (and frankly more lucrative) demographic. SPORE is engaging and it is immersive. It is accessible and it is fun.

I do agree that SPORE is much more of a software toy (with lots to tinker with) than a game. Nonetheless, the game elements are still strong and enjoyable. But it is the virtual tinkertoy aspect that gives SPORE a chance in a wider market.

I think Maxis has created a strong title and may just hit the demographic they are after.

As for value for money, I agree with cor4101, the original poster. I bought the download edition for $50. I can say that I have spent more for less in the past. (I can spend that much for a tank of gas or a meal out.)

For the record, I feel I am getting my money's worth. Other's mileage of course, may vary.

well for something i recognised as shallow it kept me surprisingly busy ... i can agree on that.
but that rather makes it a surprising game but not necessarily a really good one since i've made a wide use of the game's possibilities and spend a long time playing spore (probably 200 hours) but it all left me with a bad long aftertaste and that's not something i've experienced with other games, even the ones i consider really bad. i just dumped those very fast.
Spore is not bad, just incredibly unbalanced. it feeds the creativity but lacks the means to really do something meaningfull with it. that's why it tends to frustrate quite a lot of players.