Once Human Came to Consoles

NetEase Games and Starry Studio announced the release of Once Human for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. The free-to-play open-world survival game thus expands to consoles, following its PC and mobile releases. The game, where players battle strange creatures, post-apocalyptic environments, and constantly changing threats, aims to reach a new audience with its console launch.

Once Human is Now Playable on PlayStation and Xbox

With the console release, Once Human is now available to download for free on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The core structure of the game retains the experience from other platforms. Players can explore a vast open world, gather resources, build bases, and battle supernatural creatures roaming the environment, alone or with other players.

Once Human’s world is built around a post-apocalyptic scenario where a mysterious substance called Stardust has changed everything. The strange creatures and anomalies that emerge after this catastrophe are central to both the game’s visual identity and gameplay loop. Choosing the right base location is as important as gathering food and equipment for survival.

In addition to classic survival mechanics, the game also features creatures called Deviants with different abilities. Some assist the player during combat, while others can be used in areas such as resource production or base management. This system sets Once Human apart from standard survival games that rely solely on weapon and resource gathering.

The most significant announcement at Gamescom 2026 is that console players can now join the game directly. Console versions of Once Human will be available and free to play starting August 25, 2026. NetEase’s expansion of the game to new platforms could allow the already large community to grow even further in the coming period.

To see all the announcements, new games, and trailers from Gamescom 2026 in one place, check out our Gamescom 2026 dedicated page.