Granted, it's not as good as it could have been, but it's still entertaining
There are a total of 5 stages in the whole game: Cell, creature, tribe, civilization, and space. My biggest complaint (out of a few) is that the game goes by too quickly. However, all the stages can be fun regaurdless.
Cell: The games starts off with the cell stage. You control a cell-like creature and your goal is to just eat plants/other cells (depending if you choose to be a carnivore or herbivore). Every now and then, you can use the mating call to find a mate and lay and egg. Then you enter the creator. There aren't very many parts for your cell but you can increase it's speed or change it's mouth.
Creature: After the cell stage, you enter the creature phase where you move to the land. Your goal here is to explore your world, befriend or eat other creatures, and just stay alive. You can slowly wipe out other species by killing them off as well. As you progress, your creature will get smarter and you can find parts to add on to your creature (which is done by mating, like the cell stage).
Tribal: In this stage, the game changes to and RPG-like game to an RTS. Your creature can't be changed (make sure you like the way your creature looks before moving on)but instead, you can dress them up anyway you want. You can build weapon shacks or instruments like maracas or didgeridoos. Your goal is to either ally with other tribes or eliminate them. You befriend them by giving them gifts or play instruments for them. You eliminate them by fighting them (what else).
Civilization: Here, you have more outfit choices for your creature and now you make your own buildings (city hall, home, entertainment, and factories) and put together your city. You can also put together your land vehicles, ships, and jets. Your species is now the dominant species on your planet and your goal is to take over every other city (or ally with them). The type of government you are also depends on your actions (military, economic, religious). Great fun although I wish you could make more buildings in your city.
Space: Now you make your own space ship and can leave your planet. You can travel to an uncharted planet and set up a colony. First, you have to make the plent more livable by adding atmosphere and keeping the ecosystem balanced (by adding plants and animals as well). You can also contact other lifeforms in the galaxy and either take them over, ally with them, or establish a trad route. This part lasts forever too.
So, even though isn't as awesome as it could have been, it can still be very fun and it definitely doesn't deserve all the hate that it gets. I recommend this game to just about anyone. Although it's a little short, you'll find plenty of fun in Spore.