Recent hopes for a new Spore sequel were quickly dashed when Maxis clarified that neither a second game nor any major updates for the original were in development. Fans were disappointed by the news, but there’s some hope on the horizon with an indie game called Strange Seed, which seems to capture the essence of the evolutionary gameplay Spore was known for.
Strange Seed offers players a chance to guide blob-like creatures through evolution, starting with simple beings and working to collect new DNA. Unlike Spore, there’s no underwater stage; instead, creatures fall from a strange tree and must fight and survive on land. The game focuses on adaptation and survival, pushing players to evolve their creatures to meet the challenges of their environment.
One of the game’s core features is the ability to mix and match different body parts, allowing players to create unique creatures. Players can add antlers, wings, claws, and jaws, among other features, to their blobs, leading to either cute or monstrous creations. This aspect mirrors Spore’s creature customization, with the developers emphasizing that no body part is useless—every combination has a role in the gameplay.
Strange Seed also raises the stakes with intense boss battles and a survival-based world where every appendage matters. The game’s developers hint at “Metroidvania challenges,” where specific body parts or combinations are needed to progress through certain areas, adding complexity and strategy. These features promise a chaotic and dynamic experience, making Strange Seed even more challenging than Spore.
For players interested in trying the game, a free demo is currently available on Steam, offering a preview of its features. While there’s no official release date yet for the full game, the demo gives fans plenty to explore while they wait. Strange Seed is shaping up to be a spiritual successor to Spore, giving fans of evolutionary god-sims a new game to look forward to.