Once Human Review: A Deep Dive into the Weird Survival Phenomenon

Introduction: A New Era of Survival Gaming

The open-world survival genre is heavily saturated, but Once Human, developed by Starry Studio and published by NetEase, manages to carve out its own distinct identity. Blending traditional survival mechanics with “weird fiction” and cosmic horror elements, this multiplayer sandbox offers a refreshing take on the post-apocalyptic formula. Whether you are a veteran of games like Rust, Ark, or Fallout 76, or a newcomer to the genre, this comprehensive Once Human review will break down everything you need to know about its gameplay, world design, and overall value.

Story and Setting: Embracing the “Weird”

Unlike standard zombie or nuclear apocalypse games, Once Human throws you into a world devastated by a mysterious cosmic event known as Stardust. This alien substance has mutated the environment, wildlife, and humanity into grotesque, eldritch horrors.

You play as a “Meta-Human,” a rare individual who has been infected by Stardust but retained their sanity and gained supernatural abilities. The narrative is deeply atmospheric, relying heavily on environmental storytelling, audio logs, and the sheer bizarre nature of the mutated world. The “weird fiction” aesthetic is the game’s strongest narrative pillar, making every exploration feel unpredictable and eerie.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

1. Survival, Sanity, and Combat

At its core, Once Human is a third-person survival shooter. You must manage standard survival metrics like hunger, thirst, and energy. However, the game introduces a unique Sanity system. As you explore the world or engage with Stardust-infected areas, your sanity drops. Low sanity doesn’t just debuff your character; it literally alters your perception of the world, causing hallucinations, spawning invisible enemies, and triggering random status effects. Managing your mental health through specific foods, drinks, and campfires is just as crucial as managing your health bar.

2. The “Deviations” System

The standout feature of Once Human is the Deviations system. Instead of just crafting guns, you can capture and harness the power of mutated creatures and objects. These Deviations act as companions, weapons, and utility tools. Some will fight by your side, others can be used to mine resources faster, and some can even transform your character into a powerful monster. This system adds a layer of “creature-collection” and strategic depth rarely seen in hardcore survival games.

3. Base Building and Territory Management

Base building in Once Human is robust, modular, and highly rewarding. You claim land using a Territory System, which dictates where you can build and what resources are passively generated.

Modular Construction: Players can build everything from simple wooden shacks to multi-story fortresses with complex wiring, traps, and defensive turrets.
Memetics Tree: Progression is tied to a massive tech tree called the Memetics system, which unlocks new blueprints, crafting stations, and gear tiers.
Gear Score: Your equipment has a Gear Score, which is vital for accessing higher-tier domains and surviving in endgame zones.

Graphics, Art Direction, and Audio

Once Human Review: A Deep Dive into the Weird Survival Phenomenon

Powered by Unreal Engine, Once Human delivers a visually stunning experience. The art direction brilliantly contrasts the beautiful, overgrown ruins of civilization with the grotesque, fleshy, and geometric mutations caused by Stardust.

Multiplayer and Endgame

Once Human is built from the ground up as a multiplayer experience, though it can be played solo with AI squadmates.

Co-op Gameplay: Teaming up with friends is highly encouraged. You can share territories, combine resources, and tackle massive world bosses or dungeons together.
Scenario System (Seasons): To keep the game fresh, Once Human uses a scenario-based system. Every few months, servers reset or merge, introducing new storylines, mechanics, and challenges. Your gear and levels may reset, but you retain certain currencies and cosmetics, giving the game a “live-service” seasonal feel.
PvP and PvE: The game offers dedicated PvE servers for those who want a cooperative experience, as well as PvPvE servers where territory raids and player skirmishes are part of the daily grind.

Once Human Pros and Cons

Pros:

Unique “Weird” Setting: A fantastic blend of post-apocalyptic survival and cosmic horror.
Innovative Deviations System: Capturing and using eldritch creatures adds massive variety to combat and utility.
Deep Base Building: Modular, expansive, and highly customizable building mechanics.
Stunning Visuals and Audio: Excellent art direction and an incredibly immersive soundscape.
Flexible Gameplay: Great for both hardcore solo survivalists and casual co-op groups.

Cons:

Steep Learning Curve: The UI, Memetics tree, and various interconnected systems can be overwhelming for new players.
Repetitive Mid-Game Grind: Gathering resources to upgrade gear scores can feel tedious before you reach the endgame.
Inventory Management: Managing weight and inventory space requires constant micromanagement, which may frustrate some players.
Server Resets: The seasonal reset model means you lose a lot of your hard-earned progression, which isn’t for everyone.

Final Verdict: Is Once Human Worth Playing?

Once Human is a bold, ambitious, and incredibly unique entry in the open-world survival genre. By leaning heavily into weird fiction and introducing the brilliant Deviations system, Starry Studio has created a world that is as fascinating as it is terrifying.

While the steep learning curve and the seasonal reset model might deter players who prefer permanent, slow-burn survival worlds, the sheer depth of the base building, combat, and co-op mechanics more than make up for it. If you are looking for a multiplayer survival game that breaks away from the standard zombie tropes and offers a truly bizarre, high-quality experience, Once Human is absolutely worth playing.

Score: 8.5/10 – A weird, wonderful, and highly addictive survival masterpiece.