Is Once Human free to play?

Once Human will be released on July 9, 2024 as a survival MMO, but is it going to be free to play? NetEase and Starry Studio’s upcoming MMO has been in the testing phase for a significant amount of time and already has an eager fanbase, ready to tackle the harsh, unforgiving environments the developers created. The game will be launched on mobile devices at a later date.

Thankfully, Once Human is free to play on both platforms. There is no cost associated with playing the game itself, but that could lead to other problems down the line.

Once Human would not be the first free-to-play title that wound up going the pay-to-win route, though the developers insist this will not be the case once the game officially launches.

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Once Human is free to play on PC and mobile devices

Nothing in this game is gated by money (Image via NetEase Games)

Once Human will be completely free to play, whether you play on PC (Steam/Epic Games Store) or on mobile devices. Unfortunately, the iOS and Android version of the game will not be available until later, with a release date yet to be determined.

That said, there will still be some form of monetization in the title, with the developers insisting that this will be primarily cosmetic and will not give players any kind of distinct advantage.

Whether you play Once Human solo or multiplayer, Starry Studio's survival MMO will be free toplay. However, since this is a live-service game, you will need to be connected to the internet.

There is no ‘offline mode’ that we’re aware of at this time. Starry Studio and NetEase are releasing this survival MMO with a seasonal system, so players can expect a regular deluge of cosmetics, alongside a Battle Pass. Even with the Premium Battle Pass, it’s only a greater assortment of cosmetics.

Only time will tell if the title remains free to play and not at all pay to win. This is a trap that many free-to-play games fall into.

The closest that Once Human has gone to giving out items so far were the large assortment of rewards for players who pre-registered the game online ahead of launch.

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Check out our other guides related to the game:

• PC Minimum and Recommended requirements
• Release date, platforms, and features
• Is Once Human on Android and iOS?