Spore

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 65,308 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

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 65,308 reviews
gameplay693 positive mentions
stability594 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,370 mentions

    The gameplay in *Spore* is characterized by its ambitious scope, offering players a unique experience across five distinct stages, each with its own mechanics ranging from cellular survival to space exploration. While the game encourages creativity and customization, many players find the gameplay repetitive and shallow, particularly in the later stages, where it shifts to a more simplistic RTS style. Despite its technical issues and occasional bugs, *Spore* remains a beloved title for its innovative design and the joy of creature creation, appealing to those who appreciate sandbox-style games.

    • “I appreciate the consistent and easy to understand gameplay so I don't have to think about so much while I'm trying to enjoy my exploring.”
    • “Its complex, multi-faceted gameplay offers something for everyone, from budding biologists to creative builders.”
    • “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 loop is boring-ish but sentimental and addicting.”
    • “The actual gameplay of the tribal and civilization stages could be a bit better, though, and cell stage is- as I mentioned above- a little boring.”
    • “The gameplay is quite bland and in later stages incredibly tedious and boring.”
  • graphics1,460 mentions

    The graphics of "Spore," a game released in 2008, have received mixed reviews from players. While many acknowledge that the visuals are dated and can appear rough by modern standards, others appreciate the game's charming, cartoonish aesthetic that has aged reasonably well. Overall, players emphasize that despite the graphical shortcomings, the engaging gameplay and creative freedom offered by the game more than compensate for its visual limitations.

    • “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 visuals in Spore are vibrant and colorful, with a charming art style that perfectly complements the whimsical nature of the game.”
    • “Despite being released years ago, Spore's graphics have aged gracefully. It's a visual delight that remains captivating even in today's era of advanced graphics.”
    • “The graphics and crashes are the main things to me that really make this game a hard sell.”
    • “Game constantly crashes unmodded, controls feel very clunky, and the graphics are poor even for the time period it was released.”
    • “The graphics are crappy and it can only run at 30 fps without messing around in the config files.”
  • humor1,374 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 customization, with players enjoying the freedom to design funny, often grotesque characters that lead to comedic gameplay moments. Overall, the game is described as a delightful mix of creativity and humor, appealing to a broad audience and providing endless entertainment through its quirky mechanics.

    • “Hilarious creations able to be enjoyed by everyone from ages 5 and up”
    • “Still a really funny experience morphing my creature and trying to be the biggest best monstrosity out and about.”
    • “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.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
  • story1,038 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is largely viewed as minimal and often repetitive, with many players noting that it lacks a clear narrative direction. While some appreciate the sandbox nature that allows for personal storytelling and creativity, others find the missions and overarching plot to be dull and unengaging. Overall, the game offers a loose framework for evolution and exploration, but those seeking a deep, structured storyline may be disappointed.

    • “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.”
    • “The spore extended universe is very expansive and each life stage offers the player an amazing story of strive and survival.”
    • “It manages to break the story of life, both past, present, and future, into five measly eras.”
    • “There is no story to this game, it is a game of life.”
    • “The entire storyline is the same every time so after a playthrough or two you'll see everything.”
  • stability612 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 and support, leading to an overall impression of the game as unfinished and unstable. Despite its fun and creative aspects, the persistent technical issues make 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.”
  • replayability574 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 users highlight the game's ability to offer new experiences with each session, others note that the linear progression and certain stages, particularly the space stage, can lead to a decline in replay value over time. Overall, Spore is often regarded as a fun and creative game with significant replay potential, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with its various mechanics.

    • “It feels so good to play and even despite its age, it is infinitely replayable and holds up so well.”
    • “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.”
    • “One of the things that makes Spore so special is its incredible depth and replayability.”
    • “A fun little game, but you can get through it pretty quickly and (at least for me) there isn't much replay value.”
    • “Doesn't have much replayability though, and I wouldn't even say it's worth the price (and the price of one of the DLCs which I stupidly got for some reason).”
    • “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.”
  • grinding391 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Spore" is frequently criticized, particularly in the later stages, especially the space stage, which many players find tedious and repetitive. While the early stages are generally enjoyable, the game transitions into a grind-heavy experience that can feel like a slog, requiring significant time investment for minimal rewards. Overall, players suggest that the game is best enjoyed in shorter bursts to avoid the fatigue associated with its grinding mechanics.

    • “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 longest, most tedious of them all, this stage was fun for the first couple of hours of playing, and is probably best if you don't play it for hours at a time.”
    • “The gameplay is quite bland and in later stages incredibly tedious and boring.”
  • music212 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its whimsical and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience, particularly during different evolutionary stages. While some players find the soundtrack beautiful and nostalgic, others describe it as forgettable or repetitive, suggesting that it can become annoying over time. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing to its charm and appeal, despite some criticisms regarding its variety and impact.

    • “The game's visual style is colorful and engaging, complemented by a whimsical soundtrack that sets the tone for each stage of the journey.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization88 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, the lack of proper optimization leads to frustrating experiences, especially for those expecting stability and reliability. Overall, while it can be enjoyable, players should be prepared for potential technical difficulties.

    • “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 graphics quality is much lower by today's games, but the creature design (and then vehicle and building design) options are very well optimized to allow you to do diverse things with how your critters and their culture appear.”
    • “Maxis games are usually well-optimized, to the point that even the lower end of computers at the release of their game could play them reasonably well.”
    • “However, because of this game's poor optimization, it crashes a lot.”
    • “Another thing I haven't mentioned yet is that Spore is really poorly optimized.”
    • “This game simply isn't optimized for modern PCs.”
  • emotional68 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke nostalgia, joy, and a sense of wonder, making it a heartwarming experience for players of all ages. Many reviewers express a deep emotional connection to the game, recalling fond childhood memories and feeling inspired by its wholesome content, despite acknowledging some flaws. Overall, it is described as a charming and impactful game that resonates with players on a personal level, often leading to moments of reflection and emotional investment.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere44 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 terraform planets and create diverse life forms, contributing to a whimsical and engaging environment. Overall, the game offers a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere, making it a favorite for casual breaks and exploration.

    • “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.”
    • “In the space stage, you do have the ability to edit planets as well as the type, being that of a nasty lava planet or a nice lush green planet by completing the food chain and changing the atmosphere level and surface temperature.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization42 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, which many players see as a significant advantage, especially given EA's reputation for monetization in other titles. Reviewers express relief that the game was not burdened with paywalls or in-game purchases, contrasting it with concerns about potential future sequels being filled with microtransactions. Overall, the absence of monetization is viewed as a key factor in the game's appeal and legacy.

    • “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. Every day I realize 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.”
    • “Was a huge disappointment when it was first released... and is still a huge disappointment... it's too limited... too many arbitrary things... parts of the game could be so much more, but instead the developer went for the cash grab while the excitement was still high.”
  • character development8 mentions

    The game offers a unique and engaging character design and evolution system that players find enjoyable and addictive, with a variety of customization options that allow for creative expression. However, some reviewers note that the gameplay itself can feel shallow, suggesting that character development may not be the sole focus of the experience. Overall, while the character design is a standout feature, it may not fully compensate for the game's other limitations.

    • “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.”
    • “- shallow gameplay - while the character design and evolution is a very unique idea”
    • “My weird Mark Zuckerberg-esque lizard people have a special place in my heart along with the horrid character design possibilities.”
    • “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 292 analyzed playthroughs

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