Once Human

Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous ene...

Overview

Once Human is a free-to-play open-world survival MMO developed by Starry Studio and published by NetEase Games, released in July 2024 for PC. It blends third-person shooter combat, base building, and crafting within a post-apocalyptic world contaminated by a mysterious alien substance called Stardust.

The setting is a warped version of Earth where reality itself has been rewritten. Players are Metamorphs, survivors who have absorbed Stardust and gained unusual abilities, working together or competing across a shared persistent world.

World and Setting

The world of Once Human consists of multiple regional servers, each with its own player population and a seasonal reset cycle. Every server runs on a time-limited scenario, typically lasting several weeks, after which progress resets and a new scenario with fresh rules and modifiers begins.

The contaminated landscape is dense with mutated wildlife, Stardust-corrupted enemies, and ruins of pre-apocalypse civilisation. Different biomes include icy wastelands, industrial wreckage, and irradiated marshlands, each with unique resources and threats.

Gameplay and Survival

Combat is third-person and real-time with a wide variety of firearms, melee weapons, and Deviations, which are captured mutant creatures serving as combat companions or passive stat buffs. Weapon crafting and modification allow players to optimise loadouts for different content.

Base building uses a modular construction system where you place floors, walls, and furniture to create a functional shelter. Bases require power management using generators or solar panels to keep facilities like workbenches, storage, and turrets operational.

The seasonal reset model means each scenario run offers a fresh progression arc with new story content, events, and rewards. Characters and cosmetics carry over between seasons while core stats and gear reset.

Deviations and Memetics

Deviations are Stardust-infused creatures you can capture and deploy. Some fight alongside you, others provide base utility like automated farming or resource generation. Collecting and upgrading Deviations is a major progression system.

Memetics is the talent tree system. Players unlock nodes across different specialisations like Firearms, Survival, or Combat to tailor their playstyle. Memetics reset between scenarios, allowing experimentation each season.

Players looking for similar open-world survival games with base building and crafting may also enjoy Palworld or Rust.

Tips for New Players

• Build your base near a water source early. Hydration management is critical in the first few hours.
• Focus the main story quests first to unlock fast travel points and key crafting stations.
• Prioritise capturing Deviations that automate resource gathering. They save significant time on routine tasks.
• Join a team for harder Rift Anchors and world bosses. Solo play is viable but slower for progression.
• Check the seasonal roadmap when joining a new server to plan which scenario rewards to target.

System Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions