Well, Spore had some serious hang-ups early on.
They probably had to simplify the features and such. Bright, simple textures could be an effect of those hang-ups.

I thought it looked alright at first, but then I learned more about it and then it started to look like a civilization game with some extra "Create your monster" features.

TBH, the concept never really was that good.

Quote from Dragon077

Isn't the whole point that the user picks how EVERY ****ING THING looks? Sure, you can do Dr. Suess Carebear land if you want, or you can do some awesome scifi shit or medieval shit or whatever.

it looks like a game for ****ing kids.

http://www.spore.com/screenshots.php?movieID=0

Gears Of War 2. If it's coming out this year.