Once Human Treant
Image via Starry Studio

10 Best games like Once Human

Then maybe a Vault Hunter, Guardian, and more.

If you are a fan of Once Human and are looking for other games just like it, there’s a lot you can get into. Because it borrows inspirati꧅on from other genres, there’s a broader selection of what makes this game stand out to you.

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That being said, these are the best games to play similar to Once Human.

The best games to play that are like Once Human

Because Once Human is a sci-fi, open-world, survival, looter-shooter, many ga💯mes can fit one or more of these descriptions as foll🐟ows:

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 glowing Fireteam.
Image via Bungie

Another free-to-play titan in the category that has to be mentioned. Destiny 2 has years of content that you can easily sink hours into, being qui🌄te beginner-friendly if you don’t want to dish money out on its expansions.

The dungeon instances and the open world should easily appeal to people who like exploring set⛎ areas with gradually better gear.

Ark: Survival Evolved/Ascended

If you like the survival genre in general, but with dinosaurs and taming other creatures, the Ark games are staples. Though Survival Evolved is the more favorable one between the two, either game will scratch that itch of the gameplay loo🤡p, just with some extra steps along th🍌e way (in a good way).

Palworld

Official artwork for the Palworld Sakurajima update
Image via Pocketpair

In the same breath as the Ark games and even Once Human, Palworld wꦗill continue that experience. It took the world by storm in early 2024, putting the survival 🍸genre on the map. 

The game is basically like the aforementioned games, but with creatures that admittedly are very similar to Pokemon des🦩igns. Still, it’s a lot of fun even if you aren’t a fan of the art style or the i🌱nspiration of the creatures.

Rust

Rust: a survivor on a field wearing a bright blue backpack.
Image via Facepunch Studios.

If you’re looking for something with more PvP to it while maintaining the core survival aspect, Rust will be that game fo🌳r you. Many aspects of what makes the genre are present, but they still give you a different experience. 

Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov Classic Shturman
Image via Battlestate Games

Escape from Tarkov is an extraction shooter game with PvPvE elements. It’s quite different in comparison to Once Human where the PvP part is optional. But given the survival aspect and using all means necessary to perform well, there are similaritie🙈s.

There’s a different sense of loss when things go awry in both games. It’s just a ma🔴tte💮r of what you’re willing to lose which adds to the core gameplay loop if you’re in it for the long haul.

Death Stranding

death-stranding
Image via Kojima Productions

If you’re more about exploration, seeing the landscapes, the vibes, and the futuristic sci-fi aspects of Once Human, Death Stranding will do just that. Being something a bit different than everything else on the list, the game still checks off the open world, traversal, and overall theme related to Once Human.

DayZ

DayZ; camouflage-clad players posing while holding their weapons.
Image via Bohemia Interactive/Steam.

If you like the whole survival aspect of Once Human, but with a zombie twist, DayZ can do just that. It’s different enemies with the same purpose. However, PvP in DayZ can be a lot more expꦓensive, and the price of blacking out is far greater than in Oꦅnce Human.

While you can still craft in the game, you’re encouraged more for looting and exploring. The slight variations in gameplay can still keep this genre fre♛sh for you.

Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3 promo image
Image via Gearbox Software

If you want something featuring an open world, but with more structure when it comes to dungeons and gunplay, Borderlands 3 is another must-play for Once Human fans. It’s also a lot more 😼light-hearted in nature and more akin to a traditional ﷺlooter shooter. 

The RNG may not necessarily bless yℱou, but the number of side quests and grinding can leave you with dozens of hours to sink. 

Fallout 76

Fallout 76 Milestone Header
Image via Bethesda

It took a while for the game to be good, but Fallout 76 has grown into a great title for people who want the Fallout experience in the form of an MMO-lite. The base building is solid and a lot of things from the Fallout games translate quite well for fans of Once Human.

The Division 2

Tom Clancy's The Division 2 image
Image via Ubisoft

The Division 2 is the most similar to Once Human when it comes to 💮the core gameplay aspect. The gunplay is right up there between both games as well as the third-person aspect. Traveling between environments is nearly seamless too. 

It’s a good game to༒ get into if you like the gameplay, but want to get into something slightly different from the survi🦄val genre.


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Elliott Gatica
Contributing Writer - Elliott has been writing about video games since he was in high school. Carrying that momentum forward, he has now appeared in outlets such as App Trigger, Attack of the Fanboy, and now Destructoid. He focuses heavily on Warframe, but he is also an avid fan of fighting games and shooters. When he isn't here, he's probably getting salty in Mortal Kombat 1 or climbing the competitive ranks with his friends on Overwatch 2.