5 games like Once Human you should try in 2024

Once Human is a popular new open world survival-craft MMO, and if you've been enjoying it, you're probably looking for similar titles to play. The game combines elements and mechanics from several different genres, such as shooting combat, resource gathering, and home building. If any of these gameplay elements appeal to you, chances are there are a few games you'll also want to try.

In this article, we list five best games like Once Human you can try playing in 2024.

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5 games to try if you like Once Human

1) ARK 2

In ARK 2, players can tame dinosaurs to use in combat (Image via Studio Wildcard)

The long awaited sequel to ARK: Survival Evolved was recently confirmed for a "late 2024" release date by its developers. ARK is one of the most popular open-world survival craft games to ever be released, seeing an all time player peak of 247,292.

You play as a human in a savage dinosaur-filled world where you must fight, gather materials, and craft to survive. Very similar to Once Human, you can build a base, cook for yourself, and create defenses for your territory. You can also tame dinosaurs and use them for mobility and combat, as well as create increasingly powerful weapons.

Since we're halfway through 2024, it won't be long before this game is released. Fans of Once Human should try it out.

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2) Nightingale

Players can explore a Victorian-themed world for resources in Nightingale (Image via Inflexion Games)

Having released just a few months ago on Steam, Nightingale was a game many survival-craft players were excited for. Unfortunately it was in a rough state in its early stages but has been shaping up quickly with work from the developer, Inflexion Games.

Nightingale sees you playing as an adventurer exploring the dangerous and uncharted Fae Realms. This game has a notably colonial era theme to it, and as such, allows for a more modern crafting and building theme than many games like it. Like in Once Human, you can craft full scale homes, as well as firearms, and wear Victorian-era clothing in Nightingale.

Much of the game is centered on the "high stakes high rewards" nature of your characters journey into these new lands. Accordingly, Nightingale lays strong emphasis on the danger of the creatures found in the game. If you enjoy combat moreso, this may be the game for you.

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3) Enshrouded

Enshrouded has a heavy focus on MMO style dungeon combat (Image via Keen Games)

Enshrouded came from a developer with only one major title under its belt, Keen Games, and it has been a huge success. This open-world game, much like Nightingale, has a unique time period theme and largely focuses on combat. Enshrouded has you playing as the Flameborn, one of the last members of your race who must fight off horrid monsters to reclaim your lost kingdom.

The game has a distinctive medieval high fantasy theme throughout the character design, structures, and even music. The combat also has a very traditional MMO class system in Enshrouded. Players can choose to fight as a melee, caster, or ranged style combatant and venture into dungeons to fight monsters and collect loot.

Those who favor the base building elements of Once Human but desire a different combat gameplay will want to try this game.

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4) Palworld

If you love over-the-top combat and monster-collecting, Palworld is for you (Image via Pocketpair)

Palworld's popularity skyrocketed after its release in early 2024, seeing an all time player count peak of over 2.1 million. Many factors led to this number, with the most important being that it is fun. The game was, however, no stranger to controversy, with many accusing it of having monster designs too similar to other games. Palworld was also criticized by some for its dark style of comedy.

Palworld is an online open-world monster collecting game that involves third-person shooting combat and base building features like Once Human. You can traverse the world fighting both human and monster NPCs, all while crafting new weapons and collecting stronger monsters to fight for you. These monsters you collect can also be used to help hunt for food, gather, and craft items for you.

The game features an extensive list of craftable guns and explosives, having a much more cartoonish and jubilant theme to its combat. Players can even ride large colorful monsters into combat while wielding rocket launchers and grenades.

If you're a fan of over the top gunplay or collecting creatures, do check out Palworld.

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5) S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Fans of Once Human that enjoy FPS combat need to try Stalker 2 in 2024 (Image via GSC Game World)

The Stalker series began in 2007 with the release of its first title, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. The game quickly garnered a cult following, with many still playing it to this day. It is similar in theme to the Metro 2033 franchise, both in its setting, gameplay, and story elements. A very long awaited sequel, Stalker 2, releases in just over a month, on September 5 2024.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an open-world survival horror game where you must navigate and survive an irradiated apocalypse zone. Throughout the game, you will face harmful weather and natural elements, mutated monsters, and the struggles of finding clean food and water. Those who enjoy keeping their character healthy in Once Human should enjoy the similarities found here.

The game lays heavy emphasis on first-person shooting, unlike any of the other titles on our list. You will often find yourself scavenging for weapon parts and ammunition in an attempt to better your chances of survival against enemies. You will also need to struggle against different elements impairing your vision and hearing, as you attempt to shoot your way to safety.

For those that enjoy intense first-person shooting gameplay with the added difficulty of surviving in terrible conditions, then this is a must try.