Once Human icon
Once Human: Comprehensive Review of the Post-Apocalyptic Survival Experience

by Exptional Global

3.9
ANDROIDAdventure Games
Once Human delivers a genre-blending survival experience with PvE scenarios, class systems, and base building. The Android game combines horror narrative with crafting mechanics, though performance issues affect some devices.

Detailed Review

Once Human represents a significant entry in the mobile survival genre, developed by Exptional Global for Android platforms. The game positions itself as a comprehensive post-apocalyptic experience blending PvE combat, base building, and narrative elements within an open-world environment. Its current 2.0 update, dubbed 'Dreamveil,' introduces substantial content including the Endless Dream scenario and Dreamland Fantasia event, expanding the game's scope beyond traditional survival mechanics. The core gameplay revolves around survival mechanics including resource gathering, crafting, and base construction, distinguished by its relatively fast crafting system compared to genre standards. The newly implemented class system—featuring Chef, Gardener, and Beastmaster roles—provides specialized progression paths that significantly alter gameplay approaches. The deviation system functions as a pet companion feature with automated material collection, while the skill tree offers non-linear character development. The game's massive open world incorporates both horror elements and exploration incentives through its ongoing seasonal events and narrative content. User experience varies significantly across devices, with the interface designed for mobile accessibility but encountering technical limitations on certain hardware. The control scheme adapts survival game mechanics to touchscreen inputs effectively, though navigation and menu systems can become complex during extended play sessions. Real-world usage patterns suggest the game accommodates both short bursts of activity through its event systems and longer engagement periods through base management and exploration. The visual presentation maintains detailed environments and character models, though this contributes to the performance requirements. User feedback analysis reveals consistent praise for the game's genre-blending approach and content depth, though technical issues frequently surface in reviews. Quinn Ximon Camara's July 5, 2025 review notes render issues with premium content despite overall satisfaction, while Eric Bohenstengel's July 4, 2025 review highlights the streamlined crafting and base building systems. Multiple reviews including Aidynn Williams' July 4, 2025 feedback indicate persistent bug encounters affecting gameplay stability, particularly regarding screen orientation and rendering problems. Performance limitations appear device-dependent, as noted in Alex DeGroat's August 5, 2025 review regarding storage requirements. The game demonstrates notable strengths in content variety and genre innovation, successfully merging survival, crafting, and narrative elements within a mobile format. However, technical performance inconsistencies and device compatibility issues present significant limitations, particularly for users with mid-range hardware. The monetization approach through premium cosmetic packs, while avoiding pay-to-win mechanics, has encountered implementation issues according to user reports. Once Human ultimately serves as a compelling option for survival genre enthusiasts with capable devices, though performance optimization remains an area requiring development attention.

Key Features

  • Endless Dream PvE scenario providing challenging combat encounters against nightmare-inspired apocalyptic threats
  • Three specialized classes (Chef, Gardener, Beastmaster) offering distinct gameplay progression and role specialization
  • Fast-crafting system that significantly reduces waiting times compared to traditional survival game mechanics
  • Deviation companion system functioning as automated pets that collect materials and assist during exploration
  • Dreamland Fantasia event delivering limited-time gameplay variants and substantial reward opportunities
  • Modular base building with intuitive placement systems and extensive customization options for personalization

Why Users Love It

Extensive content variety
Streamlined survival mechanics

Perfect for: Mobile survival genre enthusiasts seeking narrative depth

Screenshots

Once Human screenshot 1Once Human screenshot 2Once Human screenshot 3Once Human screenshot 4Once Human screenshot 5Once Human screenshot 6

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Ranking History

Track Once Human's performance in Adventure Games over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#46

Best Rank

#46

All-time high

Average Rank

#49

30-day average

User Reviews

Scott C
Sep 20, 2025

outstanding game! truly open world. you create a character and basically do whatever you want. following the storyline and missions unlock new things and there is sooo many things to do. I compare this to Undawn on mobile but it's quite a bit better in all aspect, graphics, story, etc. The twist here is you kind of have super powers in a post apocalyptic world. Loving this so far!! 10/10 :EDIT: While the game itself is great, it has become too lonely to play. Every Hive I've joined ends up dead

Quinn Ximon Camara
Jul 5, 2025

To be honest the game is great, it's like a mix of genres all in one game. I would rate higher but there's this problem I'm encountering, it's the fact that there's render issue. Recently I purchased a cat furniture pack which costs me about $35.80 and yet when I placed some items they are not visible. Ofc the items in some location is visible but limited. Hopefully they take there time to consider this review for us who experience the same issue.

Eric Bohenstengel
Jul 4, 2025

One of the BEST post-apocalyptic games I have played so far! crafting doesn't take hours on end, love the fast crafting... easy base/home building... love the skill tree format to open skills of personal choice... deviations are much like pets, even has auto collection of materials types... all free-to-play friendly availability. and so much more!

Aidynn Williams
Jul 4, 2025

I haven't come across a mobile game in a while that I actually like playing. this is really good but there are a couple of bugs like sometimes the screen randomly turns even though I'm only running around so it does keep me from playing on my nord 1+ which is pretty capable considering it's just a phone lol.

Alex DeGroat
Aug 5, 2025

I couldn't do anything in the game I load in a game then it doesn't show anything edit: I know that this is an amazing game but the only reason why it's not working is because I'm using the wrong type of phone mine can't hold storage for this game

App Details

Developer

Exptional Global

Platform

android

Rating

3.9

Last Updated

9/6/2025