Once Human (F2P) Arrives on Xbox Series X|S with Game Pass

Developed by NetEase Interactive Entertainment, Once Human officially launched on Xbox Series X|S on September 7, 2026. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a cosmic substance known as Stardust has transformed the planet into a supernatural landscape. Players, referred to as Meta-Humans, must battle anomalous creatures called Deviants, establish territories, and uncover dark conspiracies within a vast 256 km² seamless map.

The title features full support for cross-play and cross-progression, allowing players to survive alongside friends regardless of their platform. The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, ensuring that progress is maintained across devices. The developers emphasize that the experience remains strictly committed to a fair gameplay model with zero pay-to-win mechanics.

For the console version, the team has optimized the game from the ground up to deliver a seamless living room experience with controller integration and 4K resolution. A significant addition for console players is the official introduction of the First-Person Perspective (FPP). Players can dynamically toggle between first- and third-person views at any time, providing a more immersive way to face the surreal chaos of the game's world.

The visual identity of Once Human draws heavy inspiration from the "New Weird" genre, a literary style that blends fantasy, science fiction, and horror through surreal and biological weirdness. The design philosophy focuses on creating a sense of the "strange within the familiar," transforming everyday objects into living anomalies. Examples include the Devourer, a massive biomechanical worm disguised as a subway train, and the Wanderer, a bus walking on giant human arms. This aesthetic extends to the environments, such as the Stardust Pollution Zones and the Dream Zone, which alter the open-world atmosphere and gameplay rules.

Survival in the game goes beyond traditional crafting. Players can catch and tame anomalous beings known as Deviations to assist in combat and survival. These creatures can provide various abilities, such as levitation for rough terrain or defensive tools for territories. By combining the strange worlds with creature-catching mechanics, the game offers unexpected moments during exploration, building, and combat.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers receive exclusive membership benefits to kickstart their journey. These perks include an Exclusive Avatar, a METAPASS Benefit Card containing 300 star sources and 30-day benefits, a Discount Voucher Bundle, and Battle Pass XP Cards. The subscription also includes free outfits with monthly updates.

Looking ahead, the developers have announced the Ocean Expansion, which is scheduled for launch in October 2026. This will be the biggest content update to date, delivering a survival experience spanning islands, the ocean surface, and the deep sea. Players will encounter new entities such as gazing lighthouses, ghost ships, and mechanical behemoths. The expansion also introduces the ability to build an Exclusive Sea Fortress, starting from a simple wooden raft and upgrading it into a mobile maritime sanctuary.