Once Human

About Once Human

Once Human dropped on July 9, 2024 from Starry Studio for PC, Android, and iOS. This title mixes shooter mechanics with deep RPG systems in a weird post-apocalyptic world. Players start as Metas, individuals infected by a strange substance called Stardust who kept their sanity while the rest of humanity collapsed. You join the Mayfly faction to build a new order against the Evolutionists and Ascendants. The game features an open world where you fight mutated monsters and other players for territory. It plays like a massive multiplayer online survival experience where your choices shape how the world evolves around you.

Gameplay

Sessions involve scavenging ruins for resources while managing stamina and hunger. You craft weapons, build bases, and customize your Meta abilities to counter specific deviant enemies. The combat feels responsive with a third-person shooter perspective that supports both single player runs and cooperative multiplayer raids. You can claim land to create your own territory or invade others to seize their loot. The game tracks achievements for specific milestones like defeating certain bosses or completing faction storylines. Typical playtime varies wildly depending on whether you focus on grinding items or pushing through the narrative. Controls feel tight on PC with mouse and keyboard, though mobile support exists for on-the-go building and light combat.

What Players Think

The PlayPile data shows a solid reception so far. IGDB lists a 75 out of 100 score based on 79 ratings from our user base. Average playtime sits around 42 hours for those who finish the main story, while completion rates for all achievements hover near 38 percent. Community moods lean heavily toward "Curious" and "Competitive" during peak hours. Players frequently mention the base building depth as a standout feature in reviews. Some critique the grind intensity after the first ten hours. The multiplayer aspect generates the most activity, with co-op groups forming constantly to tackle high-level zones. This data suggests a dedicated player base that enjoys long-term progression systems over short bursts of action.

PlayPile's Take

Once Human works best for players who enjoy spending weeks grinding resources and managing complex inventory systems. The price point remains accessible given the amount of content available across PC and mobile platforms. You get 143 achievements to chase if you want full completion, though many require significant time investment. Do not expect a polished AAA experience immediately since some bugs still exist in the open world. This title fits well if you like survival games where base defense matters more than pure gunplay. Skip it if you prefer linear stories without multiplayer pressure or grinding loops.

Storyline

Unveiled by the research group Rosetta, "Stardust" is no ordinary substance. It is intricately linked to a host of weird phenomena that defy comprehension. Initially heralded as a catalyst for tech development, Rosetta's exploration of stardust ultimately triggered "Starfall": an eruption of the Great Ones burst forth from Rosetta's experimental monolith, disseminating "Stardust" far and wide. This unleashed a chain of anomalies: from biological mutations to societal disorder and the abrupt collapse of human civilization. However, a special group of individuals infected by stardust did not lose their sanity or mutate. Instead, they emerged with abilities and became known as "Metas". They soon became essential in the struggle against stardust and the endeavor to revive civilization. However, due to differing ideologies, the "Metas" split into different factions. Some, adhering to Rosetta’s idea of continuously evolving by absorbing deviant energy, choose to continue to serve Rosetta, and are known as the "Evolutionists". Some admire the greatness of the Great One and escape Rosetta to welcome the arrival of the lords of the Great One, known as the "Ascendants". Still, others hope to explore a new order that harmonizes with the deviations and deviants. You are one of them, and the organization you belong to is known as the "Mayfly". In a world teeming with deviations, the new order is written by you.