Once Human - Before You Buy

TL;DR

Once Human showcases intriguing elements but suffers from a soulless experience and early-access issues.

Transcript

(bouncy music) - [Jake] And we're back with another episode of "Before You Buy." That show where we give you some straight-up gameplay and our first impressions of the latest games releasing. As usual, it's me, Jake, and today we're talking about "Once Human." This is another free-to-play like live-service game releasing the same week as another fr... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 "Once Human" offers a variety of gameplay mechanics but often struggles to integrate them cohesively, leading to an identity crisis.
• 👻 The crafting system is comprehensive, allowing players to create weapons and gear but can feel convoluted and overwhelming.
• 👾 The character customization feature is robust and adds personalization, yet it doesn’t compensate for the game's overall blandness.
• 👾 The game includes a skill tree that provides significant progression possibilities, although this may be difficult to navigate due to its complexity.
• 🎮 Moments of engaging gameplay can be overshadowed by repetitive tasks and lackluster environments, detracting from the overall immersive experience.
• 🎁 Despite its flaws, "Once Human" presents opportunities for cooperative gameplay that can enhance enjoyment, particularly in boss battles.
• 🎮 The game operates on a free-to-play model, posing concerns about monetization strategies and potential future developments in balancing gameplay.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the primary gameplay mechanics of "Once Human"?

"Once Human" combines survival elements with crafting, base-building, and combat. Players traverse an open world while gathering resources to build shelters, craft weapons, and complete quests. The game employs a skill tree for character development and features various progression systems, although these may feel convoluted at times due to their complexity.

Q: How does the character creation system contribute to the game?

The character creation system allows for significant customization, enabling players to design unique characters with various appearances and attributes. This robust system adds a personal touch, making it engaging for players who enjoy tailoring their avatars, despite being somewhat overshadowed by the game's other mechanics.

Q: What are the main concerns regarding the game's early-access status?

The early-access nature of "Once Human" results in common issues such as bugs, server problems, and unfinished content. Players may experience glitches, frequent server wipes, and a general lack of polish, which can detract from overall gameplay enjoyment. Such aspects are typical for early-access titles but leave players questioning the game's long-term viability.

Q: How does "Once Human" compare to other live-service games?

"Once Human" shares characteristics with other live-service games, including a focus on microtransactions and a convoluted progression system. However, it struggles to carve out a distinct identity compared to titles like "The Division" or "PUBG," leaving it feeling like a dilution of elements rather than a unique offering in the genre.

Q: What moments in "Once Human" highlight its potential?

The game occasionally showcases its potential through atmospheric environments, intense boss battles, and moments of cooperation among players. Instances like exploring eerie abandoned locations and confronting massive enemies provide thrilling experiences that hint at the game's creative possibilities, even if such moments are sporadic.

Q: How does the crafting and customization system function in the game?

Crafting in "Once Human" involves gathering resources to create weapons, gear, and structures. Players can unlock new blueprints and customize equipment with various perks, promoting a sense of progression. However, the system can feel overwhelming and convoluted, detracting from the satisfaction of crafting and gear management.

Q: Does the game bring anything new to the survival genre?

While "Once Human" incorporates familiar survival elements, its unique mechanics, such as pet-like creatures aiding in combat and crafting, do introduce new gameplay layers. However, the overall execution of these ideas may not resonate with players due to the game's lack of depth and consistent engagement.

Q: Are there any major bugs or issues affecting gameplay?

Players may encounter several bugs, inconsistencies, and server-related problems, which are typical for early-access games. These issues can hinder gameplay experiences, affecting player immersion and enjoyment. Continuous updates and player feedback may address these concerns, but they pose challenges in the initial phase.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Once Human" is an open-world, sci-fi survival shooter that incorporates crafting, base building, and a wide range of gameplay features, but it struggles with its identity and depth.

• The game features a robust character creator and a convoluted story which, while interesting, can become overwhelming with the abundance of mechanics and tasks presented to players.

• Although there are exciting moments and unique mechanics, many aspects feel generic and cash-grabby, leading to a lack of immersion and engagement in the gameplay.