Impossible Creatures

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,152 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Impossible Creatures Game Cover
The game strategy in Impossible Creatures is not original (ranged units beat melee, melee trumps artillery, and artillery wins over ranged units), but the premise is thoroughly entertaining: Think a combat-oriented The Island of Dr. Moreau. You create an army by mixing the body parts and attributes
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"Impossible Creatures" is a 3D real-time strategy game where players build genetically-altered animal armies to battle against evil on remote islands. The Steam edition features updated graphics and Workshop support for mods, including full C++ support and tools for custom creature creation. With a vast array of possible creature combinations, players can unleash their creativity in this 1930s-era world.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,152 reviews
story90 positive mentions
stability14 negative mentions
  • story270 mentions

    The game's story is characterized as a cheesy, campy sci-fi adventure that blends humor with a nostalgic 1930s aesthetic, featuring memorable characters like Rex Chance and Lucy Willing. While some players find the narrative engaging and entertaining, others criticize it for being simplistic and not particularly compelling on its own. Overall, the story serves as a fun backdrop to the unique gameplay mechanics of creature creation, making it a charming experience for those who appreciate its over-the-top style.

    • “The game boasts a compelling storyline enriched by memorable and vivid characters.”
    • “The campaign story can be rather deep, and at times comical, it has an air of new discovery vibes.”
    • “The campaign is hilariously over-the-top cheesy 40s-50s steampunk mad science adventure over 15-ish missions which go from easy to insanely hard really.”
    • “Let's be clear though, the story doesn't nearly do enough to draw you in on its own.”
    • “I don't get a feeling of real battle strategy and the story that goes alongside the scenarios doesn't interest me, so I don't think I'll continue playing and therefore can't recommend it.”
    • “The story of the main campaign is rather uninteresting, but several of the characters are fairly well done and entertaining in a campy sort of way.”
  • graphics198 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, yet many players find them charming and acceptable given the game's age. While some reviews express a desire for modern updates and enhancements, others appreciate the unique aesthetic and immersive design that still captivates despite the technical limitations. Overall, the consensus is that while the visuals may not meet contemporary standards, they do not detract from the enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “On the other hand, I think this is one of my favorite RTS stories and the steampunk aesthetics are on another level.”
    • “Great sense of humor, great graphics even all these years later, and the basic premise of combining (parts of) individual animals in order to create your creatures elevates the game to a truly unique experience.”
    • “The graphics have matured nicely; the story is pretty good if you want a single-player adventure, the controls are typical RTS ones, and the idea is totally unique to this game.”
    • “The game lacks any real graphical updates for the modern gamer.”
    • “Compared to today's standards, it's a light game with a great idea, mediocre graphics, and below average cut-scene quality.”
    • “Sadly, the graphics don't look as good anymore, but the gameplay is still solid.”
  • gameplay172 mentions

    The gameplay of this real-time strategy game is centered around a unique mechanic that allows players to combine animals into hybrid units, offering a fun and imaginative experience despite some dated graphics and simplistic mechanics. While the core gameplay loop can feel repetitive and lacks depth compared to modern RTS titles, the creature-building aspect and engaging campaign provide a charming and entertaining experience. Overall, it stands out for its originality and creativity, making it a memorable entry in the genre.

    • “Its unique gameplay—letting you combine animals to create bizarre, powerful hybrids—was both innovative and endlessly entertaining.”
    • “The gameplay is excellent and I have not found any other game like this that captures the same spirit—building your own units in so many combinations and strategies is delightful.”
    • “Overall, a very enjoyable RTS with a lot of variation because of the creature building mechanic.”
    • “The concept is neat, letting you mix and match parts of two animals to create hybrids with different abilities, but the gameplay overall feels dated and clunky, and after a while, each level, which just involves you rushing to tech up to counter enemy attacks, feels repetitive.”
    • “Unfortunately, due to extreme balance issues, game design oversights, and a complete lack of any and all forms of community management or organization, online gameplay often leaves me feeling dissatisfied and uninvolved, as though I could have better spent my time in a different, more recently-designed game.”
    • “I would describe the gameplay as fairly simplistic and fast-paced, and while it may not boast the same kind of mechanics as most other strategy games, it makes up for it by having a completely customizable army by combining two different animals to create a unit.”
  • humor62 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its creativity and charm, with players enjoying the hilarious combinations of hybrid animals and the over-the-top, cheesy narrative. The dialogue and voice acting are noted as intentionally exaggerated, adding to the comedic experience, while the campaign missions provide a mix of challenge and laughter. Overall, the game's unique premise and engaging humor make it a delightful experience for players.

    • “The campaign is hilariously over-the-top cheesy 40s-50s steampunk mad science adventure over 15-ish missions which go from easy to insanely hard.”
    • “The humor is fun and not forced; the levels are challenging at just the right balance.”
    • “Just trying the different combinations of animals is such a funny part of this game.”
  • replayability22 mentions

    The game's replayability is highly praised, with many users highlighting its depth, complexity, and the variety of customizable units that contribute to an engaging experience. While some players feel it lacks replay value after initial hours, the majority agree that the diverse army-building mechanics and strategic elements provide significant replayability, making it enjoyable even years after its release. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most replayable RTS games available.

    • “If you are looking for a new game that has infinite replay value, then this is the game for you.”
    • “It's a great strategy game, and has extreme replay value. Even playing the game as an expert, I can still have some difficulty.”
    • “This game has no replay value after the first few hours!”
    • “Finding the perfect matches amongst the many combinations of creatures grants this game so much replay value, whereas without it it would be just another RTS, in my opinion.”
    • “With the ability to create 9 different creatures per army and 61 different creatures to choose from, this game has a lot of replayability.”
  • stability22 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and no significant issues after updates, others encounter various glitches and bugs, particularly with the Steam port and pathing mechanics. The game's compatibility with modern systems is generally praised, but some users express concerns about its stability, especially regarding workshop features and creature positioning.

    • “The game runs great for me again now that I updated to Visual C++ 2015-2023.”
    • “Runs great on Windows 10, no issues; a good grab for the price.”
    • “This game runs great, even on the latest OS.”
    • “I do have a complaint, however, and that is the game is buggy as hell. I wonder if it is due to Steam or the fact it is an old game running on a modern OS.”
    • “Steam port is a little buggy, especially around the workshop.”
    • “I played for two hours and encountered several glitches.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the diverse soundtracks that enhance the atmosphere across different levels. While some find the theme music enjoyable and fitting for the fast-paced gameplay, others note that certain sound effects, like "the critters are under attack," can be annoying, leading to suggestions to mute the game during intense moments. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point for an RTS, with ratings ranging from 4 to 8.

    • “This game is peak RTS for me; it's fast-paced fun and the music is unrivaled.”
    • “I am pleased to tell anybody reading my review that it works flawlessly on my system, and I am back to creating impossible creatures while jamming to the theme music.”
    • “Music: 8 - different music for each level/environment, creates a nice atmosphere.”
    • “Though on the negative side, 'the critters are under attack' is seriously very annoying... just mute your game and play some 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger' (or some other ironic music) and unmute for the cutscenes.”
    • “- music sounds fine (RTS games aren't exactly known for their soundtracks anyways).”
    • “- music sounds fine (RTS games aren't exactly known for their soundtracks anyways).”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, often requiring extensive resource farming and repetitive tasks to progress, especially on higher difficulties. Many recommend using guides and starting on easier settings to mitigate the grind, as failing missions can lead to frustrating restarts. Overall, while some enjoy the nostalgic elements, others feel the grind detracts from the experience.

    • “I'd give it a recommendation, but highly advise using a guide and playing on easier difficulties the first time around, as the campaign can be extremely grindy and hard at times.”
    • “Failing a mission means you have to restart, which is tedious for 30-minute missions.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of "Impossible Creatures" for modern computers has received positive feedback, significantly improving load times compared to the original version. However, users express frustration over the lack of optimization for Mac systems and note that the game still suffers from crashes and lag, likely due to its outdated design.

    • “I wish this was optimized for gameplay on a Mac.”
    • “Performance - being very outdated at this point, Impossible Creatures is prone to crashes and even lag, likely due to the game being built for operating systems from almost two decades ago.”
    • “The optimization they have done for making the game run on modern computers works perfectly as far as I can tell; it loads and starts games 10 times as fast as the original disc copy.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its limited advertising at launch, which may have hindered its potential success. Many users express a desire for a sequel or a complete overhaul to generate more hype and improve its market presence.

  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with many reviewers rating it a perfect 10/10, noting that the graphics, while not flawless, complement the overall experience. The diverse music tailored to each level enhances the immersive environment, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance.

    • “In my books, it's an easy 10/10 save for maybe except the graphics, but even those have their own little place, seeming somehow fitting to the game and its atmosphere.”
    • “Music: 8 - different music for each level/environment, creates a nice atmosphere.”
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Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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