Comparison

DARKEST DAYS vs Once Human

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

Head to head
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.

About

Once Human

Engage in high-intensity PvP survival where every resource and victory must be fought for. Build bases, customize weapons, and utilize unique abilities to dominate a ruthless jungle. Victory is determined by skill and strategy in a fair, competitive environment.

Highlights
  • High-intensity PvP combat
  • Resource gathering and raiding
  • Base building and defense
  • Weapon and armor customization
  • Unique tactical abilities (Deviations)
  • Fair competitive environment
Read full description

Once Human: RaidZone is the first high-intensity, no-holds-barred PvP spin-off in Once Human. In this brutal survival jungle, only the echoes of gunfire, hidden traps of enemies, and the constant threat of losing everything remain. From the moment you enter the world, the battle begins. Rely on your combat skills, team coordination, and the power of Deviations to survive in this ruthless land, strengthen yourself step by step, gather resources, and rise to dominance. This is a world made for raiders. Are you ready? Survival Through Raiding — Where Only the Ruthless Survive Step into the RaidZone, where chaos reigns and survival is everything. Every gun, resource, and piece of land must be seized from someone else. Death means losing everything. Want to stay alive? Keep fighting — and never trust too easily. Start from Scratch — Survive with Your Own Hands From bows and axes to tactical gadgets, from long-range rifles and sniper weapons. In the vast selection in RaidZone, customize your unique weapon and armor build to create a tailored combat experience. Utilize the terrain, tactics, and your understanding of combat to engage in exhilarating skirmishes. Build Freely — Shape Your Fortress, Command the Battlefield Establish bases anywhere on the map. Plan your defenses and traps as you see fit. Set traps, raise walls, build your impenetrable stronghold — or a nightmare for your enemies. Your territory is your safe haven and your tactical edge. Defend it. Expand it. Use it to strike back hard. Fair Competitive Environment — No Inheritance, No Overpowering, Pure Skill Everyone starts on equal footing. No external weapons, resources, or blueprints can be brought in. All gear, armor, and Deviations must be discovered and fought for within the scenario. Victory comes from skill, planning, and your ability to adapt—nothing else. Power of Deviations — Turn the Tables with Tactical Abilities Seize rare resources and unlock powerful Deviations to dominate the battlefield. Pyro Dino helps you with firepower and Zeno-Purifier lets you dash forward and cut down your enemies. You can even summon Manibus to precisely destroy target areas. Turn the tide with one decisive move — and crush your enemies. Continuous Meta Pass Subscription Activation Instructions 1. MonthlyMeta Pass Activation Instructions --Subscription Period: 1 Month --Subscription Price: 4.99 USD per month 1. 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

Screenshots

DARKEST DAYS4 screens
Once Human4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Once Human at 4.5 against DARKEST DAYS's 4.0. Once Human also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). DARKEST DAYS's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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. DARKEST DAYS sells 37 one-off in-app purchases and Once Human sells 27 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. 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, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 354 and 291 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of DARKEST DAYS's written reviews are positive against 55% of Once Human's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DARKEST DAYS ships an update every 9 days, Once Human monthly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DARKEST DAYS versus Once Human: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDARKEST DAYSOnce Human
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (354 ratings)4.5 (291 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.7% of reviews — better54.5% of reviews
Number of ratings354 — better291
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3.4 GB3.7 GB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperNHN Corp.NETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD

Customer experience

DARKEST DAYS

All ratings354 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral8.2%
Negative18.4%
Written reviews219 reviews
Positive55.7%
Neutral16.9%
Negative27.4%

Once Human

All ratings291 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral6.9%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral12.7%
Negative32.7%

Bugs and requests

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

Once Human

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

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
27 purchases

Once Human

Subscriptions1
  • Meta Pass(Subscription)$4.991 Month
One-time26
  • Shining New Star Gift Pack$0.99
  • Abyssal Whale Dream Gift Pack$0.99
  • Shining New Star Gift Pack$0.99
Show 23 more
  • Player Sponsorship$0.99
  • Shining Newbie Pack$0.99
  • 60 Crystgin$0.99
  • Starter Selection Gift Pack$2.99
  • Optional Reward1$4.99
  • Meta Pass$4.99
  • 330 Crystgin$4.99
  • Battle Pass (Advanced)$9.99
  • Optional Reward2$11.49
  • Battle Pass (Upgrade)$13.99
  • Abyssal Rune Gift Pack$14.99
  • 1090 Crystgin$14.99
  • Luxurious Selection Gift Pack$19.99
  • Optional Reward3$19.99
  • Battle Pass (Deluxe)$21.49
  • Battle Pass (Deluxe)$23.99
  • Abyss Starforged Gift Pack I$29.99
  • Recharge Refund: Blazing Ring$29.99
  • 2280 Crystgin$29.99
  • Abyss Starforged Gift Pack II$49.99
  • 3880 Crystgin$49.99
  • Abyss Starforged Gift Pack III$99.99
  • 7880 Crystgin$99.99

Questions

Is DARKEST DAYS free?
DARKEST DAYS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Once Human free?
Once Human is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DARKEST DAYS or Once Human?
Once Human is rated higher. DARKEST DAYS averages 4.0 out of 5 from 354 ratings, while Once Human averages 4.5 from 291 ratings.
Do DARKEST DAYS or Once Human have ads?
Neither DARKEST DAYS nor Once Human shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DARKEST DAYS or Once Human?
DARKEST DAYS ships an update every 9 days, and Once Human monthly. Most recently, DARKEST DAYS was updated on October 17, 2026 and Once Human on October 17, 2026.

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