Once Human experienced a glorious Early Access launch on Steam it delivered a satisfying MMO experience with a good balance between combat, grinding, base-building, and crafting.
There is still more room for Once Human to grow, but if you reach the endgame, then you may start looking for new experiences to switch between.
The amount of MMO games out there is enormous, and fortunately, there are more than a few games that share similar gameplay mechanics with Once Human in one aspect or more.
Palia
Combat-Free Gameplay With Base Building
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PC
- Price: Free
- Content updates are free
If you like Once Human because of its combat system, then Palia might not be the best replacement as a combat-free, relaxing experience, but if you enjoy the base-building options in Once Human, then you are in for a treat in Palia as it takes that specific gameplay mechanic to the next level.
Palia is all about living a life in a peaceful medieval setting. Players can farm, fish, hunt, and craft to create new items and then go creative with the home they are building. These packs of homes will form towns, and while expanding your territory, you will also make progress in the background story, unraveling more about the hidden secrets of Palia’s past.
Final Fantasy XIV
Tons Of Gameplay Content With Unique Housing System
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Price: $20 (base game) + $40 (each new DLC)
- Subscription Fee: $13 per month
Final Fantasy XIV is an MMO world for the dedicated, and that’s why costs a lot more than any other game on this list with a monthly subscription fee.
Final Fantasy XIV has everything you can expect from an MMO experience. A unique housing system instead of a base building mechanic that allows players to own a house and then decorate it the way they want. There is a deep, long story to uncover with new expansions dropping every two or three years.
If you are looking for a game with massive content, then Final Fantasy XIV is the way to go, but keep in mind that it will require a lot of time and effort to become a master in the job you pick. So, think twice before going down this rabbit hole!
The Elder Scrolls Online
Massive Worlds To Explore But With Technical Limitations
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Price: $20 (base game) + $40 (each new DLC)
- No subscription required
Similar to Final Fantasy XIV, there is a huge world in The Elder Scrolls Online to explore, and there are countless activities to do. However, this game is stuck with the old tech, and its excessive loading screens may become annoying in the long run.
The Elder Scrolls Online has both traditional base buildings and a housing system. So, while you can purchase pre-built houses in different sizes and decorate them the way you want, there is also the option to craft home materials like stairs, walls, pillars, and floors to build the home of your dreams.
The Elder Scrolls Online usually gets a new expansion every year, and the new content always stays behind a paywall. So, again, this is an MMO for the veterans of this genre as you will need to spend around 40 bucks every year, but it is still not as expensive as Final Fantasy XIV.
Fallout 76
Superb Base Building But Shallow On Content
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Price: $40
- Content updates are free
Fallout 76 is Bethesda’s second attempt at an MMO experience, and while it had a pretty rough start, the developers managed to improve the game over time, up to a point that is now on par with some of the best Fallout entries.
While the world of Fallout 76 might not be as big as other MMO titles, it delivers enough content for beginners to keep them busy until they are done with the story. You will realize the lack of content once you reach the endgame. Although the developers keep releasing free content updates every year or so, Fallout 76 could be more content-rich.
The best part about Fallout 76, however, is the incredibly detailed base-building system. You will never get tired of expanding your base in this game, as there are so many things to add and so many things to customize. It’s not just about a home, you can expand your base to make it look like a big town. And that’s what keeps players engaged with this game over time.
No Man’s Sky
Incredible Content Support And Unlimited Worlds
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC
- Price: $60
- Content updates are free
If the size of the world is what matters to you the most, then No Man’s Sky is ready to scratch that itch for you! With its procedurally generated worlds and planets, players have an unlimited world to explore in this game, each coming with different biomes and wildlife.
No Man’s Sky is yet another amazingly content-rich experience, that receives more than one major update every year. The game offers anything you can expect from a space simulation. Fighting, exploring, crafting, resource gathering, base building, trading, bounty hunting, and so many other things.
There is a lot to discover and a lot to be surprised by in No Man’s Sky. The game’s base building is so detailed that some players have managed to build an entire city in this game.
Star Citizen
Life-Size Universe And Realistic Gameplay Approach
- Game State: Playable in Alpha
- Platforms: PC
- Price: $45
- Content updates are free
Star Citizen also has a massive world similar to No Man’s Sky, but instead of using procedurally generated star systems, it has a realistic approach by creating life-size solar systems.
Currently, the game only has one star system, but it is supposed to get a second star system by the end of 2024. While Star Citizen doesn’t cost a lot, bear in mind that the game is still in the Alpha stage and you will face a lot of bugs that will not get fixed very soon.
That being said, even in its Alpha stage, Star Citizen offers a unique experience with superbly detailed ships and interesting jobs. The game doesn’t have a base building yet, but it is one of the promised content updates for the next few years.
Pax Dei
Player-Driven Medieval Life Experience
- Game State: Playable in Early Access
- Platforms: PC
- Price: $40
- Content updates are free
Pax Dei tries to deliver a realistic life experience in a medieval setting, where players take the majority of systems in their control rather than the NPCs. The game tries to let players moderate the resources in the game, and that brings a wide variety of jobs with it.
So, when someone needs weapons, they don’t visit an NPC to buy them. Instead, they find a player who is a master of forging and specializes in crafting weapons.
That being said, the game is still in development, and similar to Star Citizen, it doesn’t offer all the interesting content it promises for the future. So, again, you should play this game if you have a thick skin for bugs and technical issues.
Palworld
Pokemon-Inspired Combat With Farming And Base Building
- Game State: Playable in Early Access
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Price: $30
- Content updates are free
Although Palworld has lost a lot of players since its explosive launch earlier in 2024, the existing community is still big enough to make it feel like an MMO experience.
Palworld combines the idea of Pokemon with a third-person shooter, and the result is surprisingly adorable. While finding new Pals and improving their skills is one of your primary jobs in the game, players will also get the opportunity to build their very own base, decorate it, and even enjoy farming!
Palworld is still in Early Access, and that means the game will receive more Pals, more maps, and more content in the future. So, there is a lot to be excited about in this game, and the players who have already left may finally come back.
New World
Satisfying Gameplay But Lack Of Content Support
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PC
- Price: $40 (base game) + $30 (DLC)
Amazon Games has made multiple different online projects, but none of them could hit the milestones that New World did.
Set in a shared universe with a lot of places to explore, New World delivers a classic MMO experience with a third-person combat system, just like Once Human.
The game offers a traditional base-building system, where players get to build their home the way they like, almost identical to that of Once Human.
New World has received only one expansion so far, which is locked behind a paywall. This game does not receive events or content updates as frequently as other MMO titles, which is why players barely get something new to explore. That’s the main problem with New World and the reason why many players have stopped playing it since launch.
DayZ
PvP-Focused Survival Set In A Zombie-Torn World
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Price: $40 (base game) + $14 (Frostline DLC)
DayZ is probably the only game on this list that is not fully MMO, or if you like to call it an MMO, then it’s a roguelike one! If you like the survival elements of Once Human and you wish those elements were bold and more detailed, then why not give DayZ a try?
As one of the most brutal survival games out there, DayZ emphasizes more on staying alive rather than building bases or engaging in open combats. This game does not feature bosses, levels, skills, or anything that a usual MMO would offer.
It’s all about what you learn in each playthrough. The more you learn, the better you will react against threats. PvP is an inevitable part of DayZ in the official servers and you must be prepared for it, but there are modded servers where PvP is not allowed, and players can peacefully overcome the zombies and survival challenges while building their dream homes.
Rust
Build, Fight, Raid, And Live
- Game State: Final Version Available
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Price: $40
- Content updates are free
If you take DayZ and reduce its brutality, while adding many, many more crafting and building features, then you will have Rust. This game is the ultimate experience of living your own life in a virtual world.
Rust offers the most detailed and advanced base-building system. You can customize everything, even how to electrify the light bulbs! There is an endless opportunity in Rust to build your home, and then expand it to a massive clan house.
There are both PvP and PvE battles in the game, and just like DayZ, you will find a variety of servers with different rules and instructions.
There is so much to do in Rust, and it brings a true survival experience to everyone who wants to take a break from the real world for some chaotic fun!
