Spore

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 32,651 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • humor
Spore Game Cover
Spore spreads itself a little thin, but the epoch-spanning gameplay and communal creature creation culminate in a one-of-a-kind experience.
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From Single Cell to Galactic God, evolve your creature in a universe of your own creations. Play through Spore's five evolutionary stages: Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization, and Space. Each stage has its own unique style, challenges, and goals.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 32,651 reviews
gameplay346 positive mentions
stability297 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,183 mentions

    The gameplay in "Spore" is characterized by its ambitious scope, offering a unique blend of mechanics across five distinct evolutionary stages, each with its own gameplay style—from cellular survival to space exploration. While the early stages, particularly the cell and creature phases, are praised for their engaging mechanics and creativity, later stages often suffer from repetitiveness and a lack of depth, leading to mixed reviews on overall enjoyment. Despite its technical issues and simplistic gameplay in some areas, "Spore" remains a beloved title for its innovative creature creation and the variety of experiences it provides.

    • “The gameplay in Spore is genius, offering a unique blend of creativity and strategy as players evolve their species from a single cell to a galactic civilization.”
    • “Its complex, multi-faceted gameplay offers something for everyone, from budding biologists to creative builders, ensuring a rich and varied experience.”
    • “The freedom to choose between exploration, colonization, or conquest provides a rich and varied gameplay experience, allowing players to fully customize their journey.”
    • “The gameplay is ultimately very simplistic.”
    • “The gameplay can be boring and doesn't change much throughout playthroughs but I do have fun building an empire throughout the galaxy.”
    • “The gameplay is quite bland and in later stages incredibly tedious and boring.”
  • graphics730 mentions

    The graphics of Spore, a game released in 2008, are often described as dated but charming, with a cartoonish aesthetic that has aged reasonably well. While many players acknowledge the visuals are not on par with modern standards, they appreciate the game's unique art style and vibrant colors, which contribute to its overall appeal. Despite some graphical glitches and performance issues, the gameplay experience remains enjoyable, with many reviewers emphasizing that the fun and creativity offered by the game outweigh the shortcomings in graphics.

    • “Considering this game was made in the 2000s, the graphics are amazing and the gameplay is brilliant. It is also very informational and teaches you how animals and creatures evolve.”
    • “The game's visuals are also stunning, featuring vibrant colors and a variety of environments.”
    • “Graphically, Spore has a charming, cartoonish aesthetic that has aged remarkably well.”
    • “The graphics are crappy and it can only run at 30 fps without messing around in the config files.”
    • “Game constantly crashes unmodded, controls feel very clunky, and the graphics are poor even for the time period it was released.”
    • “The graphics are old but that means your trash laptop can probably run it with more than 30fps and only give you 2nd degree burns on your legs.”
  • humor687 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its whimsical and absurd nature, allowing players to create hilariously bizarre creatures and scenarios. Many reviews highlight the joy of crafting funny characters, often leading to unexpected and comedic outcomes, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages. Overall, the game is described as a charming blend of creativity and humor, with countless opportunities for laughter through its unique creature design and gameplay mechanics.

    • “It's a masterpiece for when it's made, you can do some hilarious stuff and make some overpowered creations and creatures, there are multiple paths that will affect your future and loads of creations that you can make.”
    • “I made a creature called 'stupisaurus' and another creature called 'medicine muncher' then I've got 'dufacus.' So yes, this game is awesome... worth the money, it's so stupidly funny.”
    • “The way you can make such weird and funny creatures is so cool, I do recommend this to friends and family.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “I expected more humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
  • story519 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is largely viewed as minimal and often repetitive, with many players noting that it lacks a clear, engaging narrative. While some appreciate the freedom to create their own stories through gameplay and character customization, others find the missions and overarching plot to be dull and lacking depth. Overall, the game is seen more as a sandbox experience where players can invent their own narratives rather than following a structured storyline.

    • “The story was fun, going from a little cell to driving a spaceship.”
    • “This game is an incredible exhibit into the nature of storytelling and creativity.”
    • “You can create your own universe with story and imagine all of that in your mind.”
    • “It manages to break the story of life, both past, present, and future, into five measly eras.”
    • “The tribal stage suffers from being a bit rigid, and the space stage while interesting, is this painfully long thing with no real story or direction.”
    • “While this is all well and good - the space stage itself is pretty boring - consisting of performing the same, basic routine missions and activities over and over again in order to expand your empire.”
  • stability306 mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players express frustration over the lack of updates or fixes for these issues, leading to an overall perception of the game as a buggy and unfinished product. Despite its fun gameplay and creative potential, the instability makes it difficult for many to recommend the game without caution.

    • “Runs great on Mac with Crossover.”
    • “And it runs great on lower-end computers even on the highest settings.”
    • “Good game, very epic, no glitches whatsoever.”
    • “Every time I play, I finish the cell stage, but when I advance to the loading screen, it just freezes.”
    • “Don't buy it; you're wasting your money. It non-stop freezes and is unplayable (I have 16x the RAM requirements and a CPU/GPU miles better than the requirements).”
    • “The game is very unstable and has tons of glitches that could make you lose hours of work in a minute.”
  • replayability287 mentions

    The replayability of Spore is a highly debated aspect among players, with many praising its near-infinite customization options and diverse gameplay paths that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some players find the game endlessly engaging due to its creative freedom and procedural generation, others note that the linearity of certain stages, particularly the space stage, can lead to diminished replay value over time. Overall, Spore is often regarded as a game with significant replay potential, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with different creature designs and play styles.

    • “The replay value is unlike any other singleplayer game.”
    • “Such a great game, and highly replayable too.”
    • “Whether you find lasting enjoyment in the gameplay itself or invest countless hours crafting intricate city halls, cars, boats, planes, and spaceships, Spore seamlessly blends extensive innovation with virtually limitless replay value while remaining highly accessible.”
    • “A fun little game, but you can get through it pretty quickly and (at least for me) there isn't much replay value.”
    • “However, if you're looking for a game with more replay value, better story, and in general, just a game that's put together better, I'd say just to skip over Spore.”
    • “Its fun and enjoyable but you will get bored after you complete the game and lacks replayability but its fun overall.”
  • grinding195 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, particularly during the later stages, especially the space stage, which many players find tedious and repetitive. While the initial stages are often described as fun and engaging, the gameplay becomes a slog as players must invest significant time in grinding for resources and completing monotonous tasks, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration. Overall, while the game has its enjoyable moments, the grinding nature detracts from the experience for many players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “For this reason the last stage is hated by many because it can become tedious and it probably will because it takes more time to complete than every other stage combined.”
    • “The gameplay is quite bland and in later stages incredibly tedious and boring.”
    • “Ultimately, for all its expansiveness, despite the nigh endless variety of creatures you may create, Spore’s absolute worst non-technical problem is its lack of gameplay depth which naturally leads to a persistent sense of grinding repetition.”
  • music106 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its immersive and whimsical qualities that enhance the overall experience, while others find it repetitive or forgettable over time. Some players describe the soundtrack as beautiful and nostalgic, perfectly complementing the game's various stages, while a few express disappointment in its lack of variety and impact during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing to its charm and emotional resonance, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness.

    • “The game's music is equally impressive, with a diverse and dynamic soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's various stages and moods.”
    • “From the serene melodies during the early stages of evolution to the epic symphonies as you conquer the vastness of space, the music perfectly captures the essence of each stage and enhances the immersive experience.”
    • “The soundtrack always makes me smile; that is one great aspect of this game, all the songs feel alien, ethereal, and fun.”
    • “The music may just be the most forgettable OST I have heard yet.”
    • “The music in this game gets a bit bland after an hour or so, but overall you'll enjoy yourself.”
    • “I rate a 9/10, it would be a 10 except the music after a while can get... annoying.”
  • optimization44 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on low-end hardware and is accessible for older systems, many players report frequent crashes and performance issues, particularly on modern PCs. Despite its creative gameplay and nostalgic value, the lack of proper optimization for today's standards detracts from the overall experience. Users recommend saving often due to the game's instability, and while it can be enjoyable, the technical shortcomings are a significant drawback.

    • “It's a very easy-to-run game so it'll run smoothly on pretty much any system - though be sure to save often since it doesn't have an autosave function.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and has aged well over the years.”
    • “Spore, which was released in 2008, is more optimized than games being released today like Call of Duty or Battlefield titles.”
    • “However, because of this game's poor optimization, it crashes a lot.”
    • “This game simply isn't optimized for modern PCs.”
    • “This game is fun, however it's also a mess, terrible optimization and crashes constantly.”
  • emotional34 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a strong sense of nostalgia and heartwarming experiences, with many players expressing deep connections to their childhood memories and the joy the game brings. It is described as both wholesome and entertaining for all ages, evoking feelings of wonder and emotional investment, while also touching on themes of loss and longing for more content. Overall, players find it to be a beautiful and impactful experience that resonates on a personal level.

    • “It's a reminder of the joy and wonder I felt as a kid, and it's heartwarming to know that this game can continue to inspire that same sense of wonder in new generations.”
    • “Game is amazing and had an emotional impact on me somehow, totally recommend!”
    • “Fantastic game, owned it on disc before Steam and played for the 8 years it has been out, the end scene made me cry.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and cozy qualities, enhanced by a unique musical score that sets it apart from other titles. Players appreciate the creative freedom to manipulate environments and the whimsical, cartoonish design that fosters a friendly and relaxing experience. Overall, the game successfully combines ambitious storytelling with subtle details, creating a rich and engaging atmosphere that invites exploration and creativity.

    • “The music creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gaming experience.”
    • “It has a very cozy atmosphere, and I like hopping on whenever I want a cute little break.”
    • “Even though this game is seven years old and the graphics aren't as good as we have now, Spore is an amazing classic that throws away our realistic graphics and gameplay for a cartoon feel and a friendly atmosphere.”
    • “I flew over to their home world and cooked their atmosphere along with their lungs; their world is nothing more than a festering boil of lava and death.”
    • “Even though this game is seven years old and the graphics aren't as good as we have now, like Grand Theft Auto or the new Sims 4 game, Spore is an amazing classic that throws away our realistic graphics and gameplay for a cartoon feel and a friendly atmosphere.”
    • “If you eventually have 50+ systems, they will be calling you constantly about how animals are getting corona and if you don't use your space laser on them, everyone will die and the planet's atmosphere will instantly disapparate into space.”
  • monetization21 mentions

    The reviews highlight that the game is notable for its absence of microtransactions, which many players appreciate, especially given EA's reputation for monetization in other titles. Users express relief that the game was not burdened with paywalls or in-game purchases, contrasting it with concerns about potential future sequels being monetized heavily. Overall, the lack of microtransactions is seen as a significant positive aspect of the game, contributing to its legacy despite EA's history of cash grabs.

    • “Yes, there are no in-game purchases.”
    • “No in-game purchases and suitable for all ages.”
    • “Surprisingly (or not) for its age, it is legitimately one of EA's best games largely due to the absence of paywalls and microtransactions.”
    • “Every day I hope for the announcement for Spore 2, every day I remember Maxis was owned by EA before it went defunct, every day I realize if Spore 2 happened it would be full of greedy microtransactions because of EA. It's best Spore 2 doesn't happen as much as I want it.”
    • “The only thing that saddens me is to see what happened to this wonderful game after EA purchased it as a cash grab, updated it about two times, and then fully abandoned it.”
    • “This game isn't as fun as I remember it being years ago, and EA hasn't even tried to remake it so they can ruin it with microtransactions and loot boxes.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The game offers a unique and engaging character design and evolution system that players find enjoyable and addictive, despite some criticism of shallow gameplay. While customization is a standout feature, it is complemented by other gameplay elements, making it a well-rounded experience.

    • “If you're in any way interested in character design and art, I highly recommend this game. It's a genuinely fun (lowkey addicting) experience.”
    • “The character design and evolution is a very unique idea that adds depth to the gameplay.”
    • “My weird Mark Zuckerberg-esque lizard people have a special place in my heart along with the horrid character design possibilities.”
    • “- Shallow gameplay - while the character design and evolution is a very unique idea.”
    • “There's more to the game than just customization and character design, of course.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Spore

Play time

18hMedian play time
52hAverage play time
12hMain story
107hCompletionist
5-69hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 146 analyzed playthroughs

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