Thrive

About

Thrive is a single player open world strategy game. It was developed by Revolutionary Games Studio and was released on November 26, 2021. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Thrive is a single-player open-world game where you guide the evolution of a single-celled organism on an alien planet, starting from the Last Universal Common Ancestor. Survive in the environment, adapt your species through mutations, and compete with other emerging species in a population dynamics-driven simulation. Gameplay involves both individual cell survival and editing your species' traits to ensure its success."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,015 reviews

gameplay37 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and interesting take on the cell stage of evolution, providing a more scientific approach compared to Spore.
The developers are actively working on the game, showing consistent updates and improvements, which gives hope for future content.
The gameplay is engaging and allows for various strategies in evolving and adapting your cell to different environments.

The game currently lacks content beyond the cell stage, making it feel short and limiting replayability.
Performance issues arise, especially in the multicellular stage, leading to lag and crashes that hinder gameplay.
The tutorial and mechanics can be confusing, making it difficult for new players to understand how to effectively evolve and survive.

gameplay
121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
60%
9%
The gameplay of this early access title has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its scientific grounding and engaging mechanics, particularly in the single-cell stage. However, some find it repetitive and lacking in content, with a need for refinement in strategy and balance. While the game shows promise and offers a fun experience once players grasp the mechanics, it currently suffers from issues like slow pacing and unclear instructions, which can detract from overall enjoyment.
- “The gameplay is perfect in my opinion, but I would highly recommend the devs to increase the intelligence of NPC microbes, because you can evolve too fast and become an alpha predator, which leads to the extinction of any creatures in your biome and, ultimately, your own extinction in the long run.”
- “I'm pleasantly surprised by how far the idea has come and the gameplay for the existing single-cell stage is actually pretty good.”
- “The single-celled gameplay is very fun (still needs some work, of course).”
- “There just wasn’t much gameplay and it was very repetitive.”
- “The gameplay loop could use some refining - several times I found the best strategy was just to float completely still and wait to divide, which is not a very engaging loop to do over and over just to add one or two bits onto a cell and then wait another 10-ish minutes.”
- “Unfortunately, most of the gameplay is just swimming around aimlessly.”
graphics
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising them as decent and artistically appealing, while others criticize them for being basic and poorly optimized, leading to performance issues. Many note that the visuals are reminiscent of the game "Spore," but with a more scientific aesthetic, though some stages are still in early development and feature placeholder graphics. Overall, while the graphics show potential, they require further refinement and optimization to enhance the gaming experience.
- “It's not like me to beam about a game, but I've been along for the ride with this one for a long time and I recognize it as a piece of digital artwork.”
- “The graphics style manages to find a good middle ground between the almost cartoonish look of Spore and the painfully detailed animations of molecular and cellular mechanics released by some channels on YouTube.”
- “Amazing game scratching the void that was once left by Spore, while still being its own completely distinct game and having a really cool sci-fi spec-evo aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are decent—neither bad nor outstanding.”
- “The stages after the froth are so early in development that they're more like graphics/concept tests than any sort of continuation of the game.”
- “The graphics are very basic in the game.”
optimization
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
The game's optimization is a significant concern among users, with many reporting severe performance issues, particularly during the multicellular stage, where frame rates can drop to as low as 3-10 fps even on high-end PCs. Players express disappointment over the lag and unplayability in later stages, suggesting that the developers need to prioritize optimization improvements to enhance gameplay experience. While some acknowledge the game's potential, the current state is marred by these performance challenges.
- “Multicellularity, however, brings about performance issues, though it's still playable and I can only assume this issue is being worked on.”
- “I like the strategy aspect where you need to customize the cell for optimal performance in different environments.”
- “Late game has some performance issues though, but it's good for an early access.”
- “It is a good game, but its performance at the multicell stage is terrible, like 10-3 fps. I am disappointed with the game even with my very high-performance PC. I know it said not to complain about the unfinished part, but the macro stage is just balls and a rock. I was expecting more for a 2-year-old game.”
- “For now, I'd suggest that the devs work on optimization, since the lag can be incredibly bad as soon as you attempt to attach to other cells, and it is exponentially worse when you get to the multicellular stage.”
- “Performance is abysmal when you get an hour or so into the game.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its calming and atmospheric qualities, with many players describing it as beautiful, relaxing, and even meditative. The soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature that players recommend, although some have noted occasional issues with sound clarity. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset to the game, contributing to its immersive and enjoyable nature.
- “Even the intro, which is uncool in most games, is cool, and don't get me started on the music; it's just the best I've ever heard.”
- “The music is quite calming; however, it can be loud at first (unless you just turn it down, lol), and the controls are actually neat.”
- “The music and the pace of the game are meditative to me.”
- “Might just be my own experience, but I'd personally recommend this game to any biology nerd who likes messing with the workings of cells without caring too much about real-life law. The music is also quite calming; however, it can be loud at first (unless you just turn it down, lol).”
- “Still, what an absolutely amazing experience over the past three or four hours or so, especially with the devs' choice of music.”
- “The music and the pace of the game is meditative to me.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The story in Thrive is centered around the unique concept of evolution, where players control an organism's development and migration through various biomes over billions of years. While some users note the absence of a traditional narrative, the game's exploration of evolutionary themes provides a conceptual framework that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the story is more about the mechanics of evolution than a structured plot.
- “Thrive's story is a wholly unique example of a project that basically just existed on paper for multiple years and sprouted to become an actual fun game.”
- “The story that is told is the appearance, spreading, and (through billions of years) diversification of life into different evolutionary lineages, courtesy of a pseudo-Darwinian evolution algorithm.”
- “The role of the player in this story is to take control of a single evolutionary lineage, by strategically mutating their organism in an editor and determining towards which biomes it migrates.”
- “☑ no story”
- “- atmosphere and some kind of plot — not added yet.”
- “After this short story you could get a bit of understanding how the session goes in this game.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
39%
23%
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability, with some players finding it limited due to repetitive gameplay and optimization diminishing challenge over time. However, others highlight significant potential for replayability through dynamic evolution, environmental changes, and diverse playstyles, suggesting that the game can offer a rich experience with multiple playthroughs. Overall, while some players feel the game lacks depth, others appreciate its emergent gameplay and variety, leading to a generally positive outlook on replayability.
- “Even in its current barebones state, Thrive is already a great game with tons of replay value and potential for emergent gameplay.”
- “The possibility to change habitat (and environmental conditions with it) is unique and fits the game perfectly. This feature brings not only replayability potential but also forces you to experiment with builds and explore the map to find a better place for your species.”
- “In the span of thirty hours, I don't feel like I've even touched the surface of what ecological niches are out there; due to the dynamic evolution and the multitude of organelles to combine to fulfill different playstyles, Thrive has near-infinite replayability that will only improve with time.”
- “It's great that it's realistic, but it kills replayability quickly as it's just variations on a theme.”
- “Pretty good but no replayability.”
- “There is some replay value, but you'll have optimized too much by the third playthrough for much challenge during an entire session.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
20%
70%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to unlock new components and evolve structures. Many reviews highlight that the gameplay becomes monotonous, with some describing it as needing "a second life" to manage the repetitive tasks involved. Overall, the grinding is seen as a major drawback that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “To unlock a new component, you have to complete some tedious tasks.”
- “Everything is under development still; multicellular needs some work. Besides that, it's a bit grindy at later evolutions.”
- “Both take mutation points from the same pool, so making a complex 20-cell structure is really grindy.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is currently experiencing significant stability issues, including frequent bugs and crashes, which is typical for early access titles. While players appreciate its potential and enjoy the gameplay, they report performance problems and glitches that detract from the overall experience.
- “This game is pretty buggy, but what else can one expect from early access games?”
- “Really great game and I'm happy to see it update, but very buggy and sometimes crashes.”
- “At its current state (Nov 2021), the game has some performance issues (for instance, auto-evo is pretty slow) and there are some glitches, but the game is still in early access, so hopefully these aspects will be fixed/improved.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, featuring pleasant music and well-executed sound effects like muffled lightning strikes. Players appreciate the dynamic environmental conditions that require adaptation, enhancing the overall experience. Despite its limited playtime, the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Currently, as of January 27, 2025, the game has about 2 or 3 hours of playtime, but in that time it's quite atmospheric, guiding your little guy around to grab whatever molecules you can to keep yourself going.”
- “Music is quite pleasant, atmospheric, and the muffled strikes of lightning are also well appreciated.”
- “Likewise, changing atmospheric conditions may make your current design unsustainable and force you to adapt, either by finding a new source of energy or by moving to a different patch with different conditions.”
- “The atmosphere feels empty and lacks any real depth.”
- “There is no immersive quality to the environment, making it hard to get invested.”
- “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The monetization strategies in games are criticized for being excessively expensive, heavily ad-laden, or requiring high-end hardware, while some games stand out by avoiding microtransactions altogether.
- “There are no microtransactions or anything.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt gameplay.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without pushing for additional purchases.”
- “Most games either cost a fortune, are stuffed with ads, or have graphics that only NASA computers can process.”
- “The monetization model is frustrating and feels exploitative.”
- “It's disappointing to see a game that could be great ruined by aggressive monetization tactics.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it both entertaining and clever, particularly appreciating the playful use of puns. The development team's responsiveness to community feedback adds to the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel engaging and lighthearted.
- “10/10 funny looking cell go brrrrrrr”
- “I for one am excited and I think the best sentence that I'd use to describe the game is -- Thrive is a game that is already an entertaining and enjoyable experience which empowers players to create, truthfully, whatever organism they'd like to; the development team seems to listen to the community and continues to improve what needs to be better while also never encroaching on the things that have allowed Thrive to, again, 'thrive' (I know I used the pun twice, it's funny, shush).”
- “Follow us for more amazing reviews... some funny... and some... not so much.”