In Once Human the catastrophe that nearly wiped out humanity also gave birth to something new: Meta Humans, survivors who can harness the mysterious Stardust to wield telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and other abilities that blur the line between human and something… more.
With a 4.1-star rating from nearly 40,000 players and a massive 256 km² map (that’s roughly the size of Liechtenstein, if you’re curious), Once Human throws you into a action world where survival isn’t just about grit, it’s about evolution. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down.
What Makes Once Human Game Different?
Stardust Powers: Survival with a Supernatural Edge
Forget just swinging a rusty pipe at mutants. In Once Human, your character can:
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Manipulate objects telekinetically (throw cars, collapse bridges)
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Ignite enemies with pyrokinesis (handy for clearing hordes)
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Phase through obstacles briefly (escape tight spots)
These aren’t just flashy gimmicks, they’re core survival tools. Need food but surrounded by enemies? Lift a deer carcass from afar with telekinesis. Base under attack? Set the perimeter on fire with a thought.
Catch: Powers drain stamina fast. You’ll still need to rely on traditional weapons when your energy’s low.
Deviant Companions: Your Bizarre Post Apocalyptic Squad
Meet your new best friends:
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Gun toting alpacas (yes, really)
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Tiny blue dragons that cook meals (better than most players)
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A raccoon with a flamethrower (because why not?)
These “Deviants” aren’t just pets, they fight alongside you, gather resources, and even man your base defenses when you’re offline. Pro tip: The chef dragon is OP, prioritize taming one early.
A World That Feels Alive (And Wants You Dead)
The 256 km² map isn’t just big, it’s diverse:
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Active volcanoes with loot filled caves (watch your step)
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Radioactive swamps that require hazmat gear
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Frozen tundras where hypothermia kills faster than mutants
What’s impressive? No loading screens between zones. Sprint from a desert oasis to a snowfield seamlessly, just pack the right gear first.
Base Building: More Than Just Four Walls
Your base isn’t just a shack, it’s a customizable stronghold with:
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Functional kitchens (cooked food buffs stats)
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Garages for vehicle crafting/maintenance
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Traps like Tesla coils and flamethrower turrets
Smart play: Build elevated bases with collapsible staircases. Raiders hate this trick.
Gameplay: From Scavenger to Warlord
Early Game (0-10 Hours): Power Struggle
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Priority #1: Find Stardust cores to unlock your first ability (telekinesis is clutch early).
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Avoid: Wasting resources on cosmetic base items, focus on storage and defenses.
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Pro tip: Loot hospitals first for medkits and anti rad drugs.
Mid Game (10-50 Hours): Faction Politics
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Join a faction – solo players get steamrolled by raiders.
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Tame Deviants – they’re game changers in combat and resource gathering.
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Secure a power source (solar, wind, or stolen from rivals).
End Game (50+ Hours): Territory Wars
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Legendary weapons require rare materials (think: volcano diving).
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50v50 faction battles over resource nodes.
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Meta-Human duels – imagine two players hurling fireballs while their alpacas provide covering fire.
Graphics & Performance: Beauty and the Beast
The Good
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Stylized visuals balance cartoonish charm with apocalyptic grit. Mutants look grotesquely creative.
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Dynamic weather matters, sandstorms reduce visibility, blizzards slow movement.
The Bad
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Mobile struggles: High-end phones (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2+) run it smoothly, but mid range devices chug during raids.
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PC advantage: 60 FPS on recommended specs, but controller support is spotty.
The Ugly
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Volcanic eruptions look stunning but can crash older devices.
What Players Are Saying
The Good Stuff
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“Skybases Change Everything”
One player built a floating fortress using Stardust powered platforms. Raiders couldn’t reach it without jetpacks (which are late-game). “We’d literally rain fire from above,” they bragged on Reddit. -
Deviants Steal the Show
That fire breathing raccoon isn’t just cute, it’s a meta pick for raiding. Players report it can solo low level mutants while you loot. The chef dragon? It automatically cooks buff foods if you stock its kitchen.
The Frustrations
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Mobile Crashes Mid Raid
Losing a 30 minute loot run because your phone overheats hurts. The worst reports come from:-
Samsung Galaxy A series
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iPhones older than 12
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Any device during volcanic eruptions
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Electricity Systems Are Opaque
One player wired their entire base… only to realize too late that wind turbines don’t work indoors. The game doesn’t explain this.
How to Actually Survive (and Thrive)
Power Over Weapons (Early Game)
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Why: A level 1 telekinesis user can steal loot through windows without fighting.
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How:
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Rush the Abandoned Lab (west of spawn) for your first Stardust core.
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Choose telekinesis first, it’s the Swiss Army knife of powers.
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Ignore guns until Day 3.
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Taming Deviants: A Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Find Them
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Gun Alpacas: Roam deserts (look for revolver toting furballs).
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Chef Dragons: Near burnt forests (follow smoke trails).
Step 2: Lure Them
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Alpacas: Drop ammo packs (craft from scrap metal).
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Dragons: Place raw meat (they’ll cook it for you).
Step 3: Pacify
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Use the Stardust Lasso (craft with fiber + Stardust shards).
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Warning: Fail and they’ll attack. Have a fire extinguisher ready for dragons.
Pro Tip: Tame one combat + one utility Deviant early. The raccoon (combat) + dragon (cooking) combo is broken.
Bury Your Loot (Literally)
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Craft fake rubble piles (10 stones + 5 wood).
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Stash items underneath, raiders rarely check.
How It Compares to Other Survival Games
| Feature | Once Human | Rust | ARK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat | Superpowers + guns | Guns + melee | Dinosaurs + spears |
| Base Defense | Tesla coils | Auto-turrets | Plant species X |
| Solo Viability | Hard but doable | Nearly impossible | Possible |
Who Should Switch?
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From Rust: If you’re tired of toxic 12 year olds raiding you at 3 AM.
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From ARK: If you want weirder creatures than dinosaurs.
Community & Future Updates
Factions Mean Business
Top clans use Discord bots to:
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Track enemy bases via coordinates
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Organize 50-player “Stardust Rush” events
What’s Coming
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Mountable Deviants (yes, you’ll ride alpacas into battle).
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NPC Settlements for solo players to trade with.
Conclusion: Who’s This For?
Worth Playing If You:
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Want superpowers in a survival game (finally)
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Enjoy base-building with physics (collapse bridges on raiders)
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Have friends to squad with (solo is brutal)
Skip If You:
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Own a budget phone/PC
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Hate grinding for Deviant food (that dragon eats a lot)
The Bottom Line:
Once Human is Ark meets X-Men, flaws and all. If you’ve ever wanted to throw a mutant off a cliff with your mind, it’s your game.
FAQ
Where can I download Once Human?
The game is available on Google Play Store . For direct downloads, visit the official website for troubleshooting.
What are the best Deviants in Once Human?
Deviants like the Shadow Stalker and Ironclad Brute excel in combat, but adaptability matters most.
How do I tame the Chef Dragon?
Sneak behind it with raw meat (found in ruined kitchens), then hold the interact key. If it thrashes, dodge and retry.
Is Once Human playable offline?
No, it’s an online only survival game with dynamic events.
Will my progress carry over to future updates?
Yes, but major resets are possible for balance.