Comparison

Once Human vs DREDGE

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

DREDGE

Explore remote islands and their depths as a fishing trawler captain. Sell your catch, complete quests to uncover local secrets, and upgrade your boat. Beware of the dangers lurking in the dark.

Highlights
  • Explore remote islands and depths
  • Catch and sell diverse sea life
  • Complete quests to uncover secrets
  • Upgrade fishing boat and equipment
  • Survive nighttime dangers
  • Unravel a dark mystery
Features
Read full description

*TRY BEFORE YOU BUY* Play the first area for free. One-time purchase unlocks the base game. DLC expansions available as additional in-app purchases. Captain your fishing trawler to explore a collection of remote isles, and their surrounding depths, to see what lies below. Sell your catch to the locals and complete quests to learn more about each area’s troubled past. Outfit your boat with better equipment to trawl deep-sea trenches and navigate to far-off lands, but keep an eye on the time. You might not like what finds you in the dark... Explore the Islands & Discover their Secrets Starting from your new home in the remote archipelago, ‘The Marrows’, take to the water and scour the depths for curious collectables and over 125 deep sea denizens. Explore each area while completing quests and visiting neighboring island regions – each with their own unique opportunities, inhabitants, and secrets. Dredge the Depths Someone wants you to dig up the past, but can you trust them and will it ever be enough? Beware the Fog Danger is everywhere, so watch for sharp rocks and shallow reefs, though the biggest threats of all lurk within the fog that cloaks the night-time seas... Game Features: - Unravel a Mystery: Captain your fishing trawler across a collection of remote islands, each with its own inhabitants to meet, wildlife to discover, and stories to unearth. - Dredge the Depths: Scour the sea for hidden treasures and complete quests to gain access to strange new abilities - Study Your Craft: Research special equipment and upgrade your boat’s capabilities to gain access to rare fish and valuable deep-sea curios. - Fish to Survive: Sell your discoveries to the locals to learn more about each area, and upgrade your boat to reach even more secluded locations. - Fight the Unfathomable: Strengthen your mind and use your abilities to survive trips out on the water after dark.

Screenshots

Once Human4 screens
DREDGE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Once Human at 4.6 against DREDGE's 4.3. Once Human also leads on ratings volume (17K vs 1.1K) and chart position (#46 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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 DREDGE sells 4 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Once Human has 17K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of Once Human's written reviews are positive against 60% of DREDGE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Once Human ships an update monthly, DREDGE every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Once Human versus DREDGE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnce HumanDREDGE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (17K ratings) — better4.3 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews57.2% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17K — better1.1K
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#46 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size3.7 GB785 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperNETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTDBlack Salt Games

Customer experience

Once Human

All ratings16,777 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews2,275 reviews
Positive57.2%
Neutral11.3%
Negative31.4%

DREDGE

All ratings1,082 ratings
Positive82.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative14.1%
Written reviews1,144 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral10.2%
Negative29.8%

User reviews

Once Human

From 17K 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

DREDGE

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great game
  • 🚀 Excellent port to mobile
  • 🎮 Supports controllers
  • 🎨 Stunning graphics
  • 🕹️ Intuitive controls

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive for a mobile game
  • 🔍 Misleading 'free' description
  • 📱 Text/UI too small on phones
  • 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
  • 🎮 Controller support needs improvement

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

DREDGE

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Controller issues
  • Inventory/menu navigation problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Larger text and UI options
  • Cross-save between devices
  • More content and DLC
  • Minimap or navigation aids
  • Ability to walk around boat/town

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
4 purchases

DREDGE

One-time4
  • Blackstone Key2 variants$0.99
  • The Pale Reach2 variants$5.99
  • The Iron Rig2 variants$11.99
Show 1 more
  • Base Game Unlock2 variants$24.99

Questions

Is Once Human free?
Once Human is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DREDGE free?
DREDGE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Once Human or DREDGE?
Once Human is rated higher. Once Human averages 4.6 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while DREDGE averages 4.3 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Once Human or DREDGE have ads?
Neither Once Human nor DREDGE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Once Human or DREDGE?
Once Human ships an update monthly, and DREDGE every 3 weeks. Most recently, Once Human was updated on September 24, 2026 and DREDGE on September 23, 2026.

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