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Just when I thought we’d had quite enough of multiplayer survival shooters, Once Human provides us with an intriguing new take on the genre. It turns out, all it really needed was terrifying aliens to gun down.

What Are Those Once Human Enemies?

Once Human sees you exploring a post-apocalyptic world, which, at first glance, looks like any other zombie apocalypse. That’s right, there are zombies here, and we’ve definitely had enough of those.

But then you encounter your first alien, which are absolutely terrifying. They’re gigantic, for one, and come in a variety of forms. There are tall, gangly humanoid variants, spider-like monsters, and even a Stranger Things-like Mind Flayer.

It’s rare that a game gets its enemies truly frightening, but Once Human’s collection of horrors do genuinely offer up a scare. I wouldn’t want to encounter any of these beings in a game, let alone the real world.

What Does the Story Involve?

In terms of plot, aliens have basically invaded the earth, and infected all life with ‘Stardust’. This changes the nature of whatever life form it corrupts, be it plant, animal, or human. That’s where the sheer variety of enemies you encounter comes from.

You join forces with real-life friends to forge a survival in this universe. You can craft weapons, armour, and equipment that will keep you alive, as well as build your own house. There’s a wide variety of housing on offer here, including bases with incredible defences, or a cutesy townhouse.

It’s not just aliens that you fight either. You will also battle against fellow human factions The Walking Dead-style. Not all survivors are bad though. You’ll also make friends, explore other settlements, and even trade resources.

Where Can I Get Once Human?

If you like the sound of Once Human, go ahead and wishlist it on Steam. It launches officially in Q3 2024, but you will get a taste of it by signing up for the beta test arriving on December 7.