Once Human is an intriguing free-to-play open-world survival crafting game that blends various popular genres into a unique experience. Despite its simplistic approach, the game has managed to capture my attention since its recent launch.

While the post-apocalyptic survival game market is saturated with titles like Fallout 76 and Rust, Once Human stands out by introducing an alien infestation as the catalyst for the world’s downfall. This fresh take on the genre brings about unexpected and creative enemy encounters that keep players on their toes.

The alien organism in Once Human has the ability to mutate ordinary objects into grotesque monsters, resulting in encounters with bizarre creatures like lightbulb-headed spiders and bus-centipedes. These unexpected foes add a level of unpredictability to the gameplay, keeping players engaged.

Combat in Once Human revolves around basic melee weapons and standard firearms, offering a variety of tools to take down the mutated monstrosities. While most battles involve traditional hack-and-slash or shooting mechanics, boss fights introduce unique challenges that require strategic thinking.

The game seamlessly integrates instanced dungeons for group play, allowing up to four players to tackle challenging encounters together. With a user-friendly party finder system, forming teams for dungeon runs is a breeze, catering to both solo and group-oriented players.

Exploring the vast world of Once Human reveals a mix of visually captivating enemy designs and somewhat lackluster environmental textures. However, the game’s streamlined survival-crafting mechanics make gathering and crafting resources an enjoyable and straightforward process.

Players can construct their own bases using a simple building system and explore other players’ creations for inspiration. While the initial structures may be basic, investing in upgrades unlocks more intricate building options, fostering creativity and community interaction.

Once Human’s monetization strategy primarily focuses on cosmetic items, ensuring that gameplay remains fair and balanced. The inclusion of a battle pass with cosmetic rewards and crafting components adds value for players without introducing pay-to-win elements.

Overall, my initial experience with Once Human has been surprisingly positive. The game’s straightforward mechanics complement its strange and captivating world, offering a blend of survival crafting and engaging combat. As I delve further into the game, I look forward to uncovering more of its intricacies and challenges.