In a gaming landscape saturated with post-apocalyptic narratives, Once Human emerges as a refreshingly dark and enigmatic take on the genre, blending the visceral challenge of survival with elements of cosmic horror and a mysterious, transforming world. Developed by Starry Studio, a subsidiary of NetEase Games, Once Human throws players into a distorted future where a catastrophic event known as the "Starfall" has unleashed bizarre, mutating entities and warped the very fabric of reality. Launched for PC on July 9, 2024, and mobile on April 23, 2025, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions slated for 2026, this free-to-play survival game invites players to band together, build sanctuaries, and fight terrifying aberrations to uncover the truth of their altered existence.

1. A World Shaped by Stardust: The Lore of the Starfall

Once Human doesn't just present a ruined world; it crafts a narrative steeped in unsettling mystery, where the environment itself is a character in constant flux due to the alien substance known as Stardust.

• The Starfall Event: The game's setting is a world irrevocably changed by the Starfall, an event that unleashed "Stardust" – an alien pollutant that mutates living beings into grotesque "Deviants" and affects the land and water.

• Meta-Humans and Deviants: Players take on the role of a "Meta-Human," a biologically enhanced individual resistant to Stardust's corrupting influence and capable of wielding its power. They must contend with various types of Deviants – mutated creatures that range from monstrous flora to twisted versions of once-human beings.

• Unraveling the Truth: The core narrative revolves around uncovering the origins of the Starfall and the shadowy corporate entity, Rosetta, responsible for reckless experiments in human evolution. Players will meet other survivors, including the enigmatic bird-like entity "V" and members of "The Column" faction, as they piece together the fragmented history of this devastated world.

• Dream Zones: Layers of nested "Dream Zones" encroach upon the wilderness, each with unique environmental traits and combat effects. As players venture deeper, these effects stack, forcing them to adapt their strategies and providing unique challenges.

2. Deep Survival Mechanics and Dynamic Combat

At its heart, Once Human gameplay offers a robust open-world survival experience, where resource management, strategic combat, and player interaction are key.

• Core Survival Elements:

  • Players must manage hunger, thirst, and even a "Sanity" meter, which decreases from consuming polluted food or water, impacting maximum HP. This adds a unique layer of psychological survival.

  • Scavenging for resources, crafting essential tools, weapons, and armour, and managing inventory are crucial for staying alive.

• Diverse Combat System:

  • Engage in third-person shooter combat against a wide array of Deviants and other hostile entities.

  • Utilize an extensive arsenal of nearly 100 customizable gun blueprints across seven categories. Players can add different parts and perks to upgrade firearms to their liking.

  • Beyond guns, players will encounter "Deviations" – helpful creatures that can fight by their side, assist with resource gathering, and help manage their territory, adding a unique companion system to the genre.

• Exploration and Discovery: The vast, open world of Nalcott, from the Broken Delta to Ember Strand, is fully accessible and encourages extensive exploration. Abandoned towns, mysterious scientific complexes, and hidden lore pieces await discovery, rewarding curious players.

• Player-Driven Progression and Multiple Endings: The progression of Dream Zones and Deviants evolves with the scenario, presenting ever-changing challenges. Collective efforts to purge "Eternal Dreamers" reduce phase durations, intensifying the pace and difficulty, and ultimately, the world's fate rests in the players' hands.

3. Base Building and Territory Management: Create Your Sanctuary

Once Human places a significant emphasis on base building, allowing players to establish their own havens in the dangerous world.

• Territory Core: Use a "Territory Core" to build and customize your own base. Players have immense freedom to design anything from a practical, compact room to an elaborate townhouse with a patio, kitchen, and garage.

• Relocation Freedom: A key feature is the ability to relocate your territory at any time, providing flexibility in adapting to the ever-changing threats and opportunities in the world.

• Deviant Companions: Your Deviant companions not only assist in combat but also help gather resources and maintain your territory, adding a unique twist to base management. Keeping them happy is crucial to prevent rebellion.

• Cooperative Play: While the game can be enjoyed solo, Once Human encourages multiplayer interaction. Players can join forces with friends to fight for survival, share resources, and collaboratively build and defend larger sanctuaries.

4. Visuals and Audio: A Unique Cosmic Horror Aesthetic

Once Human stands out with its distinct art style that merges contemporary post-apocalyptic themes with unsettling cosmic horror, delivered through high-quality visuals.

• Distinct Art Style: The game features well-developed 3D visuals with a unique artistic direction. The blend of everyday items with the grotesque mutations of Deviants and the eerie glow of Stardust creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

• Detailed Environments: The world is designed to reflect its mutated nature, with eerie, abandoned towns and distorted landscapes that reinforce the sense of a world gone wrong.

• Immersive Audio: Sound design plays a crucial role in enhancing the horror elements and overall immersion, from the unsettling sounds of Deviants to the ambient noises of a dying world.

• Visual Fidelity: Despite being available on mobile, the PC and upcoming console versions promise higher fidelity, with detailed character models, realistic weapon designs, and impressive visual effects for both combat and environmental anomalies.

5. System Requirements and How to Get the Game

Once Human is a free-to-play survival game that launched on PC and mobile, with console versions confirmed for the future.

• Available Platforms:

  • Once Human PC (via Steam) - Released July 9, 2024

  • iOS (for iPhone and iPad) - Released April 23, 2025

  • Android - Released April 23, 2025

  • Once Human PS5 (PlayStation 5) - Expected 2026

  • Once Human Xbox Series X/S - Expected 2026

• System Requirements (PC) (Please refer to the official Steam page for the latest and most accurate information):

  • Minimum:

    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit Operating System

    • Processor: Intel Core i5-4460

    • Memory: 8 GB RAM

    • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 750ti 4G / AMD Radeon RX550

    • DirectX: Version 11

    • Network: Broadband Internet connection

    • Storage: 83 GB available space (SSD highly recommended)

  • Recommended:

    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit Operating System

    • Processor: Intel Core i7-7700

    • Memory: 16 GB RAM

    • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060 6G / AMD Radeon RX 580 2304SP / Intel ARC A380

    • DirectX: Version 12

    • Network: Broadband Internet connection

    • Storage: 83 GB available space (SSD highly recommended)

Download Once Human on Steam here

Conclusion: A Fresh Take on Post-Apocalyptic Survival

Once Human is more than just another multiplayer survival title; it's a bold and intriguing venture into a post-apocalyptic world brimming with mystery and cosmic dread. Its unique Stardust-infused lore, deep survival mechanics, dynamic combat with customizable firearms and Deviant companions, and expansive base-building opportunities offer a compelling experience for both solo players and groups. Starry Studio has crafted a game that not only challenges your survival instincts but also encourages you to unravel a dark, evolving narrative. If you're searching for a fresh open-world survival game with a distinctive blend of action, crafting, and unsettling mystery, Once Human invites you to explore its mutated landscapes and discover what it truly means to be human in a world gone mad. Dive in and confront the nightmare!