Once Human icon
Once Human iOS Review: Comprehensive Analysis of NetEase's Survival Game

by NETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD

Once Human delivers a visually striking multiplayer survival experience set in a Stardust-infected post-apocalyptic world. The game combines base building, creature combat, and cooperative gameplay for mobile users seeking immersive open-world adventures.

Detailed Review

Once Human represents NetEase Interactive Entertainment's ambitious entry into the mobile survival genre, offering iOS users a fully realized post-apocalyptic open world infected by the mysterious Stardust substance. The game positions itself as a premium multiplayer survival experience, distinguishing itself through its supernatural aesthetic and cooperative gameplay mechanics that encourage social interaction and strategic alliance-building. The core gameplay revolves around three interconnected systems: environmental survival requiring resource gathering and crafting, base construction allowing players to create personalized sanctuaries, and combat against mutated creatures known as aberrations. Players must manage hunger, thirst, and environmental hazards while exploring diverse biomes transformed by the alien infection. The crafting system enables creation of weapons, tools, and structural components using materials scavenged from the ruined world, with progression tied to both individual advancement and collective territory control. User experience presents both impressive visual achievements and practical challenges. The game renders detailed environments with dynamic weather systems and day-night cycles, though performance varies significantly across iOS devices. The touch interface attempts to accommodate complex actions through customizable button layouts, but screen space limitations create operational constraints during intense combat scenarios. Real-world usage patterns show players typically engage in 30-45 minute sessions combining exploration, resource runs, and base defense activities, with longer cooperative raids requiring sustained attention. User feedback reveals consistent appreciation for visual design alongside technical concerns. Call me mitch (June 29, 2025) praises the 'amazing texture' and artistic style, while Bmelvinn (July 5, 2025) reports being 'hooked ever since it came out' despite experiencing network errors and blurry textures. Multiple reviewers including Grim Bv (July 1, 2025) and Deranged_badger (June 26, 2025) specifically request controller support, noting that 'limited screen space' creates input challenges during complex gameplay moments. Performance issues appear particularly pronounced on iPad devices, with Please fix your game🙏 (July 5, 2025) reporting crashes that make the game 'a waste of storage.' The game demonstrates significant strengths in world-building and social gameplay systems, creating compelling reasons for continued engagement despite technical limitations. However, performance optimization remains an area requiring development attention, particularly for older iOS devices and tablet implementations. Once Human succeeds most effectively for players seeking deep survival mechanics within visually distinctive environments, though those preferring precise controls may find the touch interface limitations frustrating until expanded input options become available.

Key Features

  • Open-world exploration across Stardust-infected biomes with dynamic environmental hazards and resource distribution systems
  • Cooperative base building allowing players to construct fortified sanctuaries with customizable layouts and defensive structures
  • Aberration combat system featuring unique enemy behaviors and boss mechanics requiring strategic team coordination
  • Deep crafting progression enabling weapon modification, tool creation, and advanced equipment manufacturing from scavenged materials
  • Multiplayer alliance system supporting territory control, resource trading, and coordinated defense against mutant incursions
  • Survival mechanics managing character hunger, thirst, radiation exposure, and environmental adaptation requirements

Why Users Love It

Immersive visual design
Deep cooperative gameplay

Perfect for: Mobile gamers seeking complex survival experiences with social interaction elements

Screenshots

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User Reviews

Deranged_badger
Jun 26, 2025

Love the game. May not have played to much but what I’ve played has been fun. Just seeing if it would be possible to request either Bluetooth controller or backbone controller support Backbone support Love the game. May not have played to much but what I’ve played has been fun. Just seeing if it would be possible to request either Bluetooth controller or backbone controller support

Killusama18
Jun 26, 2025

Very good game I only wish I could use a controller to play like a backbone o the ps5 controller or something 😂😂 Backbone Very good game I only wish I could use a controller to play like a backbone o the ps5 controller or something 😂😂

Bmelvinn
Jul 5, 2025

I never play games like this but I’ve been hooked ever since it came out. However I am having some issues. I keep constantly getting a network connection error as well experiencing lag and blurry textures. Wow . I never play games like this but I’ve been hooked ever since it came out. However I am having some issues. I keep constantly getting a network connection error as well experiencing lag and blurry textures.

GameCreamer69
Jun 26, 2025

I love this game and decided to get it on my phone as well I play with a backbone controller and would love to have it able to connect so I can enjoy my game while seeing my screen fully Please add controller support I love this game and decided to get it on my phone as well I play with a backbone controller and would love to have it able to connect so I can enjoy my game while seeing my screen fully

Lightxv.
Jun 26, 2025

I have nothing bad to say about this game 10/10, you guys did a wonderful job porting over this to mobile. The only issue I have is that we are playing against pc players with no control support. Adding it would make a lot of people’s experience 100x better. Please devs this is the only thing it’s missing for mobile players. PLEASE ADD I have nothing bad to say about this game 10/10, you guys did a wonderful job porting over this to mobile. The only issue I have is that we are playing against pc players with no control support. Adding it would make a lot of people’s experience 100x better. Please devs this is the only thing it’s missing for mobile players.

App Details

Developer

NETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD

Platform

ios

Rating

4.5

Last Updated

9/6/2025