A Unique Take on Once Human: A Blend of Customization and Disappointment

by Frank McDougall
in Action, News, Release
on 10 July 2024

NetEase’s latest free-to-play survival game, Once Human, has made its debut on Steam today. While the game offers exciting monster designs and an extensive character creator, it falls short in other areas, providing a disappointing gameplay experience.

Gone are the days of uncertainty and exploration that used to define the survival genre. Once Human replaces these elements with tutorial screens and mundane exposition. It seems that the price of popularity has stripped away the core essence of the genre.

The character creator, however, is a bright spot in this otherwise lackluster experience. Unlike many other story-driven RPGs, Once Human provides players with a wealth of customization options, allowing them to fine-tune even the smallest details of their characters. From adjusting “mid lower-lip thickness” to experimenting with head size and leg length, players have the freedom to create truly unique and, at times, bizarre individuals.

While the character creator is impressive, it feels somewhat incongruous with the overall tone of the game. Once Human seems to aim for a serious, Control-like atmosphere, yet it offers pouty and explicitly sexual character presets. Despite the mismatch, players find themselves compelled to take advantage of the extensive customization options. Who wouldn’t want to craft a character with a brick-like physique, a tiny head, and half-closed, blood-covered eyelids?

Unfortunately, the excitement of character creation fades quickly as players delve into the actual gameplay. Once Human initially lacked support for multiple characters, but thanks to player feedback, the developers swiftly rectified this issue. However, the overall experience remains underwhelming.

One commendable aspect of Once Human is its stability upon launch. Many free-to-play online games often suffer from immediate technical problems, but Once Human seems to have tackled this hurdle, at least for now. While the Steam reviews are mixed, the game deserves recognition for its smooth server performance.

Overall, Once Human offers a unique blend of customization and disappointment. The extensive character creator sets it apart from other games in the genre, but the lackluster gameplay fails to deliver a truly engaging experience. As we continue to explore Once Human, we hope to find more redeeming qualities and provide a more in-depth analysis. So, head to Steam and join the ever-evolving world of Once Human, just make sure your character looks like a high-speed camera photo of a boxer being punched.

Additional facts:
1. Once Human is developed by NetEase, a Chinese technology company known for its online gaming platforms and mobile internet services.
2. The game was released on Steam, a popular digital distribution platform for video games, on a specific date that is not mentioned in the article.
3. Once Human is categorized as a free-to-play survival game, indicating that it can be downloaded and played for free, but may contain in-game purchases or microtransactions.

Important questions and answers:
1. What are the main features of Once Human?
Once Human offers an extensive character creator, exciting monster designs, and a survival gameplay experience.

2. How does Once Human differ from other survival games?
Once Human distinguishes itself through its focus on character customization, allowing players to fine-tune various aspects of their characters’ appearance. This sets it apart from many other story-driven RPGs in the genre.

Key challenges or controversies:
1. The mismatch between the serious atmosphere and explicit sexual character presets raises questions about the game’s intended tone and target audience.

2. The lackluster gameplay experience mentioned in the article presents a significant challenge for the developers, as it can impact the game’s popularity and player retention.

Advantages:
1. The extensive character creator provides players with a high degree of customization options, allowing them to create unique and personalized characters.

2. Once Human has received praise for its stability upon launch, offering a smooth server performance without immediate technical problems.

Disadvantages:
1. The article mentions that the gameplay experience is disappointing, indicating that it may not meet players’ expectations in terms of engagement and enjoyment.

2. The mismatch between the character creator and the game’s tone may create a jarring and inconsistent experience for players.