If you’re looking for some post-apolcalyptic survival game, then Once Human is among the most hyped choices. Developed by Exptional Global, a subsidiary of NetEase Games, the game features AAA graphics, survival mechanics, and multi-server capability on top of an exquisite open-world. Build your very own settlement, power it up, and band with other players in a Hive to survive in the harsh conditions caused by Stardust pollution. In this beginners guide, we will be sharing in-depth game mechanics that every new player should know about before starting their adventures.

Building a Settlement

In Once Human, the very first thing that players are tasked with is to find some empty face and build their own settlement that they can call “home”. Not only do you need a place to live and survive but also to perform basic activities and tasks. For example, you need inventory to store items, a crafting table to generate advanced resources, and kitchen/stove to cook food. A good place to sleep after a tireless day of surviving is also much needed to maintain your Sanity.

It is critical that you choose a location that is close to a range of resources, such as logs and ore. You’ll need a lot of these as you start building your foundation and crafting your workbenches. It’s also a good idea to choose a location near a food source. Look for areas where wild deer reproduce to find a source of meat. If you prefer fishing, you may also consider establishing a base near a fishing site.

Develop New Technologies

Despite being a survival game, Once Human is quite modern in its approach. Players are role-playing a meta-human, an advanced form of species that has humanity mixed with machinery for the ultimate balance. You can develop even more technologies by unlocking them from the Memetics menu. Head over to the crafting recipes and find the technology tree. You can do so either manually or by pressing the K button. 

Technologies can be divided into 4 categories:

• Infrastructure

• Crafting

• Logistics

• Building

There is also Memetic Specialization, which allows you to choose specific talents. Every five levels acquired; you may unlock a specialization that grants you specific buffs. This might help you develop a character who provides distinct value to your team. Don’t think twice before making decisions in Memetics because you can reset your points if you change your mind. However, you must proceed with caution because only 70% of your money will be reimbursed.

Gearing Up to Get Stronger

Getting new equipment and weapons are an important part of survival in Once Human. The game has a strict no-hands policy that lets you decide your own actions and fate. Players are recommended to craft new gear and weapons. Each weapon has a different attribute and can be tuned to provide more stats. Players can improve their chances of survival by having a strong set of weapons and armor to fend off against hostile enemies lurking in the dark. You can get both weapons and armor items in the wild or via crafting. 

Be careful as there is a durability bar below each weapon and armor. As you continue to use them, this bar will decrease and their utility will fall off. You can repair them with the items you have to get their durability increased. Modding is another aspect of gearing that is often overlooked. By modding, you can infuse certain stats to the weapon and make it more customized according to your playstyle. This also helps in making the weapon stronger. 

Certain guns also let you add accessories, such as a muzzle, optic attachment, and tactical attachment. These can also be discovered through exploration. Pressing ‘J’ on a Weapons Workbench will also allow you to calibrate your equipment. Using various materials, you can utilize calibration to increase the stats of your gear for a set number of levels.

Take Care of your Body and Sanity

One of the bigger challenges in Once Human remains to stay sane and healthy. Your body is also an equipment that loses durability over time unless it’s nourished. You need to drink water, stay hydrated, eat, and sleep. All of these core human functions need to be performed to stay at the top of your game and shape. You will also be often exposed to harsh conditions or stardust pollution, giving you a decrease in sanity levels. 

Exploration is much easier when you are full to the brim with food and water. Eating can be a major problem as you can only carry a limited amount of food with you. It’s recommended to get a refrigerator for storing food. Keep in mind, some foods can spoil and expire within 24 hours. Much like you take vitamin pills in real life if you run short of nutrients, you can take Sanity pills if your Sanity levels are going down. Once it falls below a certain threshold, your health will decrease.  

Playing Once Human on a bigger screen of your PC or Laptop with BlueStacks without worrying about battery drainage and smooth gameplay, is highly recommended.