Once Human will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25, NetEase Games and Starry Studio have announced, bringing the free-to-play survival title to consoles with a new first-person perspective mode and full cross-platform support from day one.
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Pre-orders opened this week on both the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store, with two purchasable packages available. The $9.99 Starter Pack includes a cradle skin, three weapon skins, a 30-day METAPASS, a home facility skin, and profile customization items. The $14.99 Radiance Pack adds three character skins, a premium battle pass, a 30-day METAPASS, two lottery tokens, and an exclusive avatar frame. The base game itself remains free-to-play on all platforms, as confirmed on the official Once Human website.
The console release introduces a first-person perspective option, letting players switch freely between third-person and first-person views at any time. The developers say this feature was designed specifically with larger 4K displays in mind, offering a more immersive experience for players on living room screens. It is not yet clear whether the first-person mode will also come to the existing PC version through a future update.
On the technical side, the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions support two graphics modes. Quality Mode targets 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, while Performance Mode aims for 120 frames per second for smoother gameplay. The console port also adds controller-specific haptic feedback, including distinct rumble patterns for large enemy encounters, adjustable trigger resistance during boss fights, and tactile feedback tied to loot drops. These features leverage the haptic capabilities of both the PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller, giving each platform a tailored feel.
Console players will have access to six scenarios and a PvP spin-off mode at launch, which Starry Studio says adds up to more than 300 hours of content. Scenarios in Once Human function as distinct gameplay modes with their own objectives, maps, and rulesets, rotating in and out on a seasonal basis. The PvP mode pits players against each other in a more competitive version of the survival formula, a departure from the primarily PvE-focused base game. The game also supports full cross-play and cross-progression across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, meaning players can team up with friends regardless of platform and carry their progress and purchases between devices.
Once Human originally launched on PC in 2024, blending survival-crafting mechanics with extraction shooter elements in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by supernatural anomalies known as deviations. The game drew a sizable audience with its base-building systems, creature combat, and open-world exploration, and has been updated regularly with new scenarios and seasonal content since its PC debut. Its free-to-play model, supported by cosmetic microtransactions and battle passes, has kept the player base active through regular content refreshes rather than paid expansions.
The console launch arrives roughly two years after the PC release, following a pattern common among Chinese publishers who prove a live-service title's longevity on PC before allocating resources to console ports. NetEase has expanded its console footprint steadily with titles like Marvel Rivals and Naraka: Bladepoint already available on PlayStation and Xbox, and Once Human's console debut extends that reach further. The company's broader strategy of bringing established PC hits to living room audiences has paid off for several of its titles, and Once Human's crossplay support positions it to benefit from the same network effects.
Starry Studio has not announced any platform-exclusive content beyond the pre-order incentive packages, nor has it confirmed whether post-launch updates will run on the same cadence across all platforms. The developers have stated that the console versions will receive the same scenarios and seasonal events as the PC version, though specific timing details for concurrent updates have not been shared.
Once Human arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25. The game is already available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
