Survive, Build, and Discover in 'Once Human'
Dare to unearth the chaos of Once Human, a free multiplayer survival experience that walks the precarious line between exhilarating and exhausting in a post-apocalyptic playground.
last updated Jul 29, 2024
Once Human presents an intriguing if flawed survival experience—beautifully combining elements from various genres, promising a world to explore with friends.
Gameplay – A Chaotic Survival Odyssey
At its core, Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game that thrusts players into a bizarre, post-apocalyptic universe. The gameplay invites cooperative survival against a host of monstrous threats, complemented by resource gathering and territory building. However, the experience is marred by repetitive mechanics and server challenges that can leave players floundering. There's an appeal in combative elements like shooting and looting, but later stages of the game reveal a glaring lack of end-game content. Design choices like the six-week server wipe add to the uncertainty for dedicated players, as they might feel their time investment is perpetually at risk.
Audio – Sounds of Anarchy
Once Human provides an auditory landscape that blends environmental sounds with the chaotic noise of survival. The engaging soundtrack heightens tension during encounters, yet it lacks variety, which can turn into a repetitive loop that reflects the gameplay. Sights and sounds from this dystopian world create a fitting backdrop, but the audio elements often drown in the clamor of connection issues and lagging servers, making you question if your ears are just as broken as the connectivity.
Graphics – Visually Expressive Yet Inconsistent
Graphically, Once Human has a striking aesthetic that reflects its tumultuous world. The visuals manage to impress, with detailed environments and character models that craft an engaging post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Performance, however, sees its share of inconsistency; many players have encountered frustrating rendering issues and lag, which can lead to moments of visual chaos rather than visual allure. While the core graphics can be exhilarating when functioning correctly, your experience could easily succumb to the pitfall of low poly models and disappearing textures, leaving you in a frustrating cycle of attempting to engage with a glitchy landscape.
Community Interaction – A Mixed Bag
Community dynamics in Once Human can be a delightful surprise or a harsh reality check. While the potential for social interaction adds richness, server limitations can lead to feelings of isolation when trying to navigate the multiplayer aspects. Players often express frustration over joining friends' servers or experiencing the dreaded 'full server' notification, which can quickly ruin an otherwise promising play session. Moreover, the game seems to embrace a volatile environment—filled with both creativity and toxicity—which can challenge the camaraderie crucial for a multiplayer experience.
STEAM RATING
Developer & Publisher
Starry Studio
Release Date
July 09, 2024
A Survival Game with Potential but Falters at Times
Once Human presents an intriguing if flawed survival experience that beautifully combines elements from various genres, promising a world to explore with friends. While it successfully captures the thrill of survival and creativity, its difficulties with gameplay balance, server functionality, and adequate end-game content can leave players feeling lost. Yet, as a free-to-play offering, it does provide some unique thrills amidst a whirlwind of common issues. With a bit more refinement from its developers, it could evolve into something unforgettable. However, whether the player base waits long enough to see it remains uncertain.
