A Spore creation inspired by the Sectoid from UFO: Enemy Unknown.

The Sectoid is obviously inspired by the Greys, aliens that go around probing people’s bottoms. They’re more or less intergalactic Rocco Siffredis.

A Spore creation loosely — very loosely — inspired by the Chryssalid from UFO: Enemy Unknown.

Anyone who’s played the game must surely rank their first Chryssalid encounter as not only one of the highlights of a fantastic campaign, but one of the greatest moments in gaming ever.

A Spore creation inspired by the Snakemen in UFO: Enemy Unknown.

As a game, Spore doesn’t seem to have legs. I’ve managed to reach the Civilization phase of the game after bulldozing my way through the anaemic Tribal phase. Thus far, I’ve seen nothing that impresses in terms of gameplay, and there’s certainly nothing I would want to replay.

But my god, the editors are phenomenal software toys.