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Once Human Review: A Unique Survival Horror Experience

4K View2025-04-01

Introduction

Survival games have gone through various phases, but none has been like Once Human. This all-new supernatural take on the genre is emanating chills from within. Unleashed by NetEase Games, this open-world survival title incorporates horror, sci-fi, and traditional survival mechanics into one eerie adventurous experience. But will it hold up, or will it be another popular game that gets lost in the noise? Well, read on to find out.

What is Once Human About?

Once Human is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious cosmic entity called Stardust infects the planet and converts the creatures alongside the environment to twisted versions of themselves. As a Meta-Human, players are required to survive in this hostile world, scavenging for resources, building bases, and fighting off both humans and monstrous threats. This game offers both PvE and PvP features which allow players to work together or engage in aggressive battles.

Is Once Human Free-to-Play?

It is true. Once Human is a free-to-play game; however, like many titles from NetEase, it offers in-game purchases. While the core gameplay still remains open to everyone, the possibility of pay-to-win could quickly be found within PvP environments.

Is Once Human Coming to Mobile?

There is an existing confirmation of Once Human, being playable on PC, available via Steam; however, it is yet to receive a confirmed mobile version. The game's appearance on TapTap-an alternative app store for mobile games-has sparked speculations of a possible future version on mobile. Given NetEase's tendency towards releases on mobile platforms, however, it may not be impossible for this one to be eventually adapted.

Gameplay and Features

Survival Meets the Supernatural

One way that Once Human's uniqueness stands out from all other traditional survival games is that it has supernatural abilities as a source of power, rather than realism. Players can use Stardust as a source of energy giving them special abilities that surpass the capabilities of a normal human being. Combat becomes something other than a simple fight between guns.

Home Building and Craft

Resource-gathering is critical in which base building forms the primary self-protection agenda from outside hazards and enemy attacks. Crafting involves very large weapon modification, armor crafting, and tool enhancements so that no two survivors will be the same.

Open World Exploration

Once Human's world is an incredibly huge and mysterious thing for the player to explore. Abandoned cities, forests corrupted by Stardust, and top dungeons housing terrifying creatures would be some of the areas that players will get to traverse through. Further adding to the dramatic experience immersion would be dynamic weather and day-night cycles.

Multiplayer Aspect

Both multiplayer and solo modes are available in the Game. Team up with friends to hunt down mighty bosses or engage in massive PvP battles for dwindling resources. But, this PvP balance issue is also a much talk-about issue as players with some weapons and upgrades gain clear advantages.

Pros and cons

✔Pros

✔ Gorgeous Graphics: The view of the post-apocalyptic world is enhanced with spectral haunting effects.

✔ Unique Gameplay Mechanics: The marriage of survival and supernatural powers leads to very interesting combat.

✔ Advanced Crafting System: Here you can forge weapons and tools with which the character may assist in survival.

✔ Multiplayer Choice: Cooperative and PvP modes ensure variety and replayability.

✔ Huge Open World: Many places to discover with hidden secrets and challenges.

✖Cons:

✖ Not-so-Great Combat: Some players talk about stiff animations and problems with hit detection.

✖ Possible Pay-to-Win: Concerns about monetization and its effect on game balance.

✖ Performance Issues: Optimization issues on certain lower-end PCs.

✖ Messy UI: Menus can easily become very crowded, especially for a beginner.

✖ Imbalance in PvP: Certain weapons and abilities feel downright OP in a competitive setting.

Final words: A Glorious Storm of Polite Possibly

Once Human's grand goals are an opportunity to blend survival with horror, sci-fi, and an open-world approach. Its graphics, mechanics, and multiplayer offerings justify its try; on the flip side, these shortcomings in the polish of combat mechanics, questionable pay-to-win overtones, and imbalance in PvP keep it so far from glory.

Once Human stands quite tall for survival-based horror buffs, especially since it's a free game. The player should, however, keep an eye out for the monetization model and early performance woes. Should NetEase iron out the issues, this will be a hallmark game in the genre.

Once Human on App Stores and SteamDB

If you are in the mood to download Once Human, you can do so from Steam. Keep an eye on TapTap app store for mobile news, since NetEase may make a port for mobile gaming in the future. Currently, SteamDB has player counts and updates running real-time metrics for the game, including community input-do keep tabs on its development.

Would You Survive in Once Human?

Once Human provides a more engaging take on survival games with its eerie atmosphere, innovative mechanics, and immersive world. But improvements are needed! If you like the post-apocalyptic world and supernatural elements, give it a shot. Be warned, though, this one is quite challenging.

Will you play Once Human or wait a little longer? Let us know in the comments!

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