Impossible Creatures

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
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  1. GameSpy
    72
    What's truly surprising, given how atmospheric Relic's Homeworld was, is just how lame the story and ambience of Impossible Creatures turned out to be.
  2. Cincinnati Enquirer
    70
    Unfortunately, the game play in "Impossible Creatures" doesn't match the title's ingenious premise.
  3. All Game Guide
    70
    The combat is fast-paced and aggressive, but balanced. The creature-combining mode is deep and involved, but accessible.
  5. Eurogamer
    70
    We were disappointed by the game's lack of depth, but we very much enjoyed playing it - and that, at the end of the day, is far more important than anything else.
  6. PC Arena
    60
    The great retro sci-fi setting and creative twist in unit creation just can’t make up for cumbersome gameplay and poor unit control.
  7. Yahoo!
    50
    Animal creation, plot, and fast-paced multiplayer and skirmish options all lend a certain amount of charm to the proceedings, although play is much more boring than you'd expect in a game where you can breed an unholy attack force of elephants with scorpion stingers and pincers.
  8. Computer Games Magazine
    50
    Boredom becomes a factor partly because of a limited number of combinations with which to experiment. [Apr 2003, p.78]
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  9. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    If most real-time strategy titles are elaborate versions of rock, paper, scissors, Impossible Creatures is the world's most sophisticated game of rock. [7 Feb 2003, p.90]
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  10. Adrenaline Vault
    50
    Great production values aren’t enough to raise Impossible Creatures from being a mediocre exercise in button pushing, as it’s high on glitz but short on actual strategy.
  11. Computer Gaming World
    50
    It's a good concept set against an intentionally silly story. But the game is all style and little substance. [Apr 2003, p.110]
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  12. TotalGames.net
    50
    Most unforgiveable of all though, is the abysmally bad combat. Once your army is built, there is really nothing for the player to do other than point them at the enemy and hope to be last man standing.
  13. Edge Magazine
    50
    Apart from its admirable combinatorial system, Impossible Creatures is just another RTS. Indeed it's fairly simplistic as the genre goes...In theory this should foster a quick and immediate title, but in practice the build-up of resources is slow. Plainly average. [March 2003, p.100]
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Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best PC Game of 2002
39
#39 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 61
  3. Negative: 8 out of 61
  1. GaryS.
    Jan 6, 2004
    10
    With the Insect Invasion MOD, even more creatures and abilities become available. And this expansion is available as a free download. With the Insect Invasion MOD, even more creatures and abilities become available. And this expansion is available as a free download. Honestly, this game has saved me a lot of money because every time I think of buying another PC or console game, I think to myself: "Yeah, it looks good. But is it worth taking time away from playing Impossible Creatures?" Different maps and terrains call for different types of units, so you'll find yourself creating multiple armies and spending hours testing the abilities of your creatures. Most if not all of the magazine ratings were based on the original release. The expansion software adds so much in the way of strategy that it doubles the enjoyability and longevity of the game. As a schoolteacher, I have recommeded this game to my students and all who have purchased it seem to be enjoying it as much as I do.… Full Review »
  2. AndyK.
    Jun 12, 2003
    10
    This game is great. I believe this game has the potential to be one of the greatest ever in the rts genre. Aside from the obvious ability to This game is great. I believe this game has the potential to be one of the greatest ever in the rts genre. Aside from the obvious ability to customize your own units, teh multiplayer games are very fast paced with the forst battles happening at around teh 3-5 minute mark. On top of all this relic is making a FREE expansion for the game set to be available for download any day now. It will contain 15 new animals and 9 new abilities, talk about the generosity of relic. P.S. Take it from me, i've actually played the game. … Full Review »
  3. AndrewC.
    Feb 18, 2003
    9
    It's pretty fun. Great for rts fans. Unless you want to focus on strategy. I haven't tried the multiplayer mode yet but I think It's pretty fun. Great for rts fans. Unless you want to focus on strategy. I haven't tried the multiplayer mode yet but I think it'll be great. Combining two animals in an rts game is clever though.… Full Review »
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