Once Human is a free-to-play online survival shooter built around exploration, crafting, territory building, and scenario-based PvE or PvP. It is available on PC, mobile, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play across those platforms, but friends need to choose the same region and scenario server. Here’s what to know about the game, its scenarios, purchases, and PC requirements before you start.
What kind of game is Once Human?
Once Human is a supernatural, post-apocalyptic survival shooter. Its connected activities include exploring, gathering resources, crafting equipment, building a territory, and fighting monsters and bosses. It also offers online co-op and PvP, with the specific rules and activities depending on the scenario you choose. It is not a conventional single-player campaign: Steam lists online co-op, online PvP, and MMO features.
Steam lists the PC release date as July 9, 2024, and identifies Starry Studio as developer and Starry Studio and NetEase Games as publishers. The game is free to play, though purchases are available. Steam listing
Where can you play, and can you join friends?
The official console FAQ says the console version launched on August 25, 2026, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S, joining the PC and mobile versions. The FAQ says players can play together across console, PC, and mobile. Official console FAQ
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Joining a friend
- Confirm that you and your friend are playing in the same region. The FAQ says physical data centers are separate by region, so players in different regions cannot play together.
- Select your friend’s specific scenario server. Being in the same region alone is not enough if you select different servers.
- If the server is full, the FAQ says an invitation code may be required.
Continuing on another platform
The FAQ says accounts can be linked to continue on a different platform, but the same account cannot be signed in on multiple platforms at once. Linking accounts that already have characters can result in characters on one account being discarded. Review the in-game linking flow carefully before proceeding. Features can differ by platform.
Console-specific options
The console FAQ lists keyboard and mouse support, custom key bindings, HDR, and quality or performance settings. NetEase’s July 10, 2026, console launch announcement also says console players can switch between first-person and third-person views. These details are specific to the console version, not a promise that the same options are available on every platform. NetEase console launch announcement
How do scenarios and progression work?
A scenario is a themed server experience with its own map, rules, story, environmental mechanics, PvE or PvP focus, and phases. As phases progress, more modes, mechanics, or map areas can unlock. That means scenario choice affects more than the setting: it also determines the rules and activities you’ll encounter. The official FAQ recommends Manibus (Novice) as an introduction for beginners.
What happens when a scenario ends?
The FAQ says players can remain on the current server, sign up for another scenario and server, or return to Eternaland. Some equipment, materials, medicine, Deviations, and blueprints transfer to Eternaland. Taking items into a new scenario uses Resource Inheritance Points. Fashions, some character data, most currencies, and other categories are retained under the FAQ’s described rules. Check the current in-game Scenario Description and sign-up screen before deciding what to carry forward; scenario rules and availability can change.
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How many scenarios are available?
In its July 10, 2026, console launch announcement, NetEase said six scenarios and a PvP spin-off were then available. That is a dated publisher statement, not a guarantee of the live lineup now. For current choices and schedules, check the official Once Human news index and the in-game scenario selection screen.
Is Once Human free, and what can you buy?
The base game is free to play, and the official console FAQ says all game modes can be experienced for free. Paid offerings include cosmetics, a Battle Pass, other content, and theme-pack DLC listed on Steam. Steam also flags in-game purchases and chance-based in-game purchases among the game’s interactive elements.
The publisher’s FAQ says paid features do not affect gameplay or fairness. Treat that as the publisher’s assertion; the storefront’s chance-based-purchase label is also worth knowing before spending. Steam listing · Official console FAQ
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can your PC run Once Human?
Steam’s listed requirements call for 100 GB of available storage at both the minimum and recommended tiers, and the listing highly recommends an SSD. The specifications below are the requirements displayed on Steam; check the live listing before installing in case they change. Steam listing
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4460 or Snapdragon X | Intel Core i7-7700 or Snapdragon X2 Elite |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GTX 750 Ti 4GB, Radeon RX550, or listed Qualcomm Adreno X1 GPU | GTX 1060 6GB, Radeon RX 580 2304SP, Intel Arc A380, or listed Qualcomm Adreno X2 GPU |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband internet connection | Broadband internet connection |
| Storage | 100 GB available space | 100 GB available space |
These specifications are useful checks, not a guarantee of performance on every system. If you are short on space, plan for the listed 100 GB; an SSD is recommended, not stated as mandatory.
What do the review numbers say?
Steam displayed 80% positive from 92,983 English-language reviews and 89% positive from 4,344 reviews in the preceding 30 days when checked on October 8, 2026; Steam labeled recent reviews “Very Positive.” These are changing storefront figures, not a permanent score or a measure of how many people are playing. Steam listing
NetEase’s July 10, 2026, announcement estimated that console players would have over 300 hours of gameplay from day one. That is the publisher’s estimate, not an independently measured playtime figure. NetEase console launch announcement
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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