I've tried with two different species so far, as as soon as they get out of the water there are zero plants on the planet. This, of course, means no fruit for herbivores/omnivores to eat and also (according to online reports) a T0 score for your home planet which apparently locks up the Space stage.

Anyone else have this issue?

Did EA sneak in some DRM since I chose to play offline and didn't "register" the game?

Support got back to me.

If anyone else has this issue, try seeing if the same thing happens if you don't skip the cutscene that plays when you leave the water.