Comparison

Once Human vs DARKEST DAYS

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Once Human

Embark on a multiplayer survival adventure in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by an alien substance. Team up with friends to battle monstrous creatures, build a sanctuary, and uncover the truth behind the world's collapse. Harness supernatural powers to fight, rebuild, or dominate.

Highlights
  • Multiplayer open-world survival
  • Post-apocalyptic setting
  • Base building and customization
  • Battle monstrous aberrations
  • Harness supernatural powers
  • Team up with friends
  • Collect and train Deviation Pals
Read full description

Once Human is a Strange Worlds Survival Game set in a bizarre, apocalyptic world. Fight side by side with friends for survival resources, build your home territory, and overcome the terrifying unknown together as you uncover the truth behind the fall of the world. You were once human. Do you still hold the answer to what it means to be human? World Awakened They were buses, TVs, and chairs. Now they walk, speak, and stare. Scavenge or Die Old-world scrap keeps you alive. Anomalies power your gear and home. Squad Up Capture the Anomalies you defeat. Yesterday's enemy is tomorrow's ally. Craft Weapons Turn scrap and Anomaly power into hundreds of deadly, custom weapons. Build Your Home They chop wood, mine ore, and tend fields. This home runs on all of you. Become Them Shed your humanity. Fuse with defeated Anomalies and wield their power. Continuous Meta Pass Subscription Activation Instructions 1. MonthlyMeta Pass Activation Instructions --Subscription Period: 1 Month --Subscription Price: 4.99 USD per month 2. Other Rules --Payment: Charges will be deducted via the user's iTunes account. Payment is made upon user confirmation of purchase. --Renewal: The Apple iTunes account will be charged within 24 hours before expiration. Upon successful payment, the subscription period will be extended by one subscription cycle. --Cancel Renewal: To cancel renewal, please operate at least 24 hours before the current billing period ends. Operation method: From the Home page, go to [Settings] —> Tap [iTunes Store & App Store] —> Tap [Apple ID], select [View Apple ID] —> [Account Settings] —> Tap [Subscriptions], then tap [Cancel Subscription]. --NetEase Games License and Service T&c: https://protocol.unisdk.easebar.com/release/latest_v487.html --NetEase Games Privacy Policy: https://protocol.unisdk.easebar.com/release/latest_v475.html

About

DARKEST DAYS

Explore a post-apocalyptic open world filled with zombies, uncover the virus's origin, and build a sanctuary. Survive by scavenging, crafting, and fighting hordes with various vehicles and weapons. Engage in both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

Highlights
  • Open-world exploration
  • Vehicle collection and upgrades
  • Zombie combat
  • Base building and community management
  • Multiplayer modes (co-op and PvP)
  • Story progression
Features
Read full description

The world has become a wasteland due to a sudden zombie virus outbreak. You will start as a fragile survivor in this world, overcoming various threats around you and uncovering the secret of the zombie virus. A Vast, Living Open World Explore every corner of the seamless open world offered by DARKEST DAYS. The apocalyptic world, realistically rendered, delivers an immersive experience. Your journey begins in the desolate town of Sand Creek, where death fills the air. From desert villages to snow-covered islands and charming resort cities, explore the diverse themed open world, uncover the origins of the zombie virus, and write your own story. A Variety of Vehicles for Survival in the Open World Explore the vast open world of DARKEST DAYS using a range of vehicles. From everyday family cars once used before the apocalypse to powerful trucks and specialized vehicles like police cars and ambulances, you can utilize modes of transportation to navigate the wasteland. Vehicles can also be used to plow through hordes of zombies. Collect different vehicles and upgrade them with apocalypse-ready modifications to enhance their survival potential. Surviving the Endless Zombie Threat In DARKEST DAYS, a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a massive zombie outbreak, you'll face terrifying undead creatures that constantly threaten your survival. These zombies exhibit aggressive behavior and unpredictable movement, sometimes using different attack patterns to hunt you down. To survive, you must use every means available. Take them out one by one with precise shooting or unleash devastating firepower with explosives to wipe out entire hordes. Build Your Own Sanctuary With Residents In a world full of dangers, you can construct your own shelter to survive. Recruit various survivors who have endured the apocalypse to form a community with you. Build facilities for survival with their help to create a safer haven. Recruited residents can enhance your shelter's production efficiency or become reliable companions in combat and exploration. Diverse and Immersive Multiplayer Experiences Beyond the tense single-player mode, DARKEST DAYS offers dense and engaging multiplayer modes. Team up with other players to survive endless waves of zombies, or take on terrifying giant mutant zombies to earn rewards. However, cooperation isn’t the only path to survival. Venture into competitive combat zones to compete against others for rare resources while experiencing thrilling battles. When it comes to survival, there is no single right answer.

Screenshots

Once Human4 screens
DARKEST DAYS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Once Human at 4.6 against DARKEST DAYS's 4.1. Once Human also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 414) and chart position (#52 vs unranked). DARKEST DAYS's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Once Human sells 16 one-off in-app purchases and DARKEST DAYS sells 37 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Once Human holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Once Human has 18K ratings behind it against 414, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Once Human's written reviews are positive against 56% of DARKEST DAYS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Once Human ships an update monthly, DARKEST DAYS every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Once Human versus DARKEST DAYS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnce HumanDARKEST DAYS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better4.1 (414 ratings)
Positive reviews58.0% of reviews — better56.1% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better414
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#52 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size3.7 GB3.4 GB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperNETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTDNHN Corp.

Customer experience

Once Human

All ratings17,968 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews2,346 reviews
Positive58.0%
Neutral11.2%
Negative30.8%

DARKEST DAYS

All ratings354 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral8.2%
Negative18.4%
Written reviews221 reviews
Positive56.1%
Neutral16.7%
Negative27.1%

User reviews

Once Human

From 18K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great game with immersive graphics
  • 👍 Solid gameplay mechanics
  • 💡 Unique and challenging features
  • 🎮 Enjoyable on both PC and mobile

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional performance and graphics issues
  • 🔋 High storage requirements on mobile
  • 🕹️ Lack of controller support on mobile

DARKEST DAYS

From 414 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Open world zombie survival
  • 👍 Great graphics
  • 👍 Controller support
  • 👍 Short load times
  • 👍 Smooth inventory management

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 Performance issues and lags
  • 🐛 Excessive gas consumption
  • 🐛 Difficulty in solo play

Bugs and requests

Once Human

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Network errors preventing login
  • Stuck on character creation screen
  • Persistent bugs with garage and storage

Requested features

3 requests
  • Improved mobile controls and responsiveness
  • More customization options for character and base
  • Seamless cross-platform progression

DARKEST DAYS

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when looting
  • Game stays at loading screen
  • Glitches and inconsistencies

Requested features

2 requests
  • Controller support
  • Ability to turn off invites

In-app purchases

16 purchases

Once Human

One-time16
  • Shining New Star Selection Pack$0.99
  • Abyssal Whale Dream Gift Pack$0.99
  • 60 Crystgin$0.99
Show 13 more
  • Shining Newbie Pack$0.99
  • 330 Crystgin$4.99
  • Meta Pass$4.99
  • Battle Pass (Advanced)$9.99
  • Battle Pass (Upgrade)$13.99
  • 1090 Crystgin$14.99
  • Golden Accord: Astral Ride$14.99
  • Reward Covenant$19.99
  • Battle Pass (Deluxe)$21.49
  • Battle Pass (Deluxe)$23.99
  • 2280 Crystgin$29.99
  • 3880 Crystgin$49.99
  • 7880 Crystgin$99.99
37 purchases

DARKEST DAYS

One-time37
  • Beginner-Only Lucky Pack$0.99
  • Basic Construction Pack$0.99
  • 50 Red Diamonds$0.99
Show 34 more
  • 100 Red Diamonds$0.99
  • S3. Surprise Upgrade Pack$2.49
  • Silvermoon Beach Outfit$2.49
  • Bulletproof Catcher Outfit$2.49
  • 250 Red Diamonds$3.99
  • Barracks Construction Pack$3.99
  • 500 Red Diamonds$3.99
  • Standard Membership$3.99
  • Material Pack 1$6.99
  • Ltd. Facility Blueprint Pack$6.99
  • Resident Level-Up Pack I$6.99
  • Premium Membership$9.99
  • Weapon Upgrade Pack$11.99
  • 870 Red Diamonds$12.99
  • 1,740 Red Diamonds$12.99
  • Resident Level-Up Pack II$12.99
  • Limited Equipment Upgrade Pack 1$24.99
  • S12 Pass$24.99
  • 1,800 Red Diamonds$24.99
  • Kyla Jane$24.99
  • Luna Bloody$24.99
  • Community Pass S4$24.99
  • Community Pass S3$24.99
  • Special Enhancement Pack III$24.99
  • 3,600 Red Diamonds$24.99
  • Resident Level-Up Pack III$24.99
  • Scenario Pack$24.99
  • Limited Equipment Upgrade Pack 2$44.99
  • 3,200 Red Diamonds$44.99
  • Limited Material Pack 2$44.99
  • 6,400 Red Diamonds$44.99
  • Limited Advanced Weapon Pack$44.99
  • Limited Special Weapon Pack$89.99
  • Limited Combat Manual Pack$89.99

Questions

Is Once Human free?
Once Human is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DARKEST DAYS free?
DARKEST DAYS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Once Human or DARKEST DAYS?
Once Human is rated higher. Once Human averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while DARKEST DAYS averages 4.1 from 414 ratings.
Do Once Human or DARKEST DAYS have ads?
Neither Once Human nor DARKEST DAYS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Once Human or DARKEST DAYS?
Once Human ships an update monthly, and DARKEST DAYS every 9 days. Most recently, Once Human was updated on October 26, 2026 and DARKEST DAYS on October 25, 2026.

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