As a seasoned survival gamer with hundreds of hours logged into various games, I was initially intrigued by NetEase’s Starry Studios’ foray into the genre with Once Human. The post-apocalyptic setting and the emphasis on exploration, crafting, combat, and base-building piqued my interest.
1. NetEase’s Starry Studios has debuted their initial game, titled “Once Human,” to the general public. This post-apocalyptic survival title emphasizes exploration, crafting, conflict, and base construction. At launch, it boasts a robust collection of user-friendly features and content, but the integrated live-service aspects were somewhat perplexing.
The world has changed
In the post-apocalyptic world depicted by Once Human, a hazardous substance named Stardust has caused most living beings to transform into Deviants. These creatures are dangerous and violent, spreading destruction and chaos throughout the land. Yet, amidst this bleak scenario, there exists a ray of hope in the form of Deviations. These helpful beings can assist you during battles, cultivate resources, and bring convenience to your daily life.
1. In the early stages, Human provides a substantial amount of background information, leaving you to uncover the rest by exploring and discovering on your own. This narrative can be actively engaged with by reading all memos and thoroughly investigating significant points of interest for hints, or it can be disregarded altogether. The level of involvement determines the depth of understanding. While the language is often typical sci-fi terminology, it enriches the world with captivating detail and context.
The rebuild
1. In a nutshell, Once Human encompasses all the fundamental aspects typical of a survival game such as crafting, base construction, fighting, hunting, and so forth. You’ll need to keep track of your hunger and thirst levels regularly, and items in your inventory may spoil if left untended for too long. This game excels at the intricate dance of resource management that survival enthusiasts appreciate.
1. Using the Memetics interface, you accumulate points to reveal blueprints for new home decor, edibles, and armaments. Being a multiplayer game with a server setup, you’ll share your world with various other players. In my initial playthrough, I opted for a PvE server and constructed my dwelling by the main road in the starting area. I spent time felling trees and excavating rocks to gather resources sufficient not just for building a house, but also for equipping it with essential crafting stations and storage units. A handful of players resided nearby, and one of them left a note outside my home: “Your walls are reversed.” The joke had earned approval from 21 other players, leaving me somewhat embarrassed yet amused.
As a fan, I can’t help but cherish the organic interactions I had with fellow adventurers in Once Human. One unforgettable evening, I ventured out to gather resources and loot, only to stumble upon two players battling a colossal eldritch monster sporting a satellite on its head. They seemed to be having trouble, so I jumped in to aid them, and after defeating the beast, we explored the rest of the town together before parting ways. Such encounters were common, and there was always an excitement in hearing gunfire at a distance or catching glimpses of other players engaged in their own battles while I was busy with fishing or mining.
In simpler terms, when exploring Human’s open-world survival game, you may encounter visual imperfections such as poor textures, unexpected object appearances, and unusual animations. However, the captivating art style, which blends contemporary and cosmic horror elements, makes up for these shortcomings. The game features remarkable creature designs and locations that leave a lasting impression. One of the most striking creatures is a bus with oversized legs that roams the road, rewarding you with free supplies daily. I was startled the first time I encountered it. Moreover, the character creator offers an impressive range of diverse options for customizing features and hairstyles.
How did we get here?
In the vein of many modern free-to-play games, Once Human operates under a live-service model. This means an abundance of seasonal content, battle passes, a cosmetic shop, and premium currency are all part of the package. While I appreciate the appeal of regular updates and timed events that keep me engaged, it feels disconcerting from the perspective of a survival game when essential supplies like food, fuel, and health packs can be obtained through battle passes.
I’m frustrated when I come across building materials and unique hairstyles in games that can only be obtained through microtransactions. It feels like an extra layer of complexity that isn’t necessary for my enjoyment of the game. The existence of multiple currencies adds to the confusion. To me, it’s like trying to appreciate a delicious meal, but having it spoiled by too many unnecessary condiments. I can handle the cosmetic skins being available for purchase, but I wish the game didn’t go beyond that.
Find your humanity
Fundamentally, Once Human is an adventure game emphasizing and rewarding exploration. It masterfully creates the cycle of collecting resources and equipment, enhancing your character, and then embarking on another round of the same activities. I thoroughly enjoyed roaming around with my friends in combat, and I anticipate revisiting it whenever I feel the urge for survival-themed gaming. Yet, it’s challenging not to be discouraged by compulsory live-service aspects that undermine game mechanics and restrict exclusive items behind a payment barrier.
This review is based on the Steam version of Once Human. The game is available now.
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2024-07-30 00:27