Once Human’s Final Console Open Beta Lands on Xbox and PS5 – Here’s How to Play
Does Once Human have cross-play between consoles and PC during this beta? No. The Final Console Open Beta for Once Human supports unified servers between Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, but cross-play with PC and mobile is not available during this test period.
NetEase Games has officially launched the Final Console Open Beta for Once Human, their weird supernatural open-world survival game, on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Players across the globe can now jump into the Stardust-infected apocalypse through July 8 (Pacific Time). You get to pick from five in-game scenarios built for both PvE and PvP styles. Xbox and PlayStation players share one set of console servers, so teaming up is smooth — but don’t expect to play with PC or mobile friends just yet.
Quick Facts: Once Human Final Console Open Beta
– Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5
– Dates: Now through July 8 (PT)
– Scenarios: 5 total, mixing PvE and PvP content
– Cross-play: Yes, between Xbox and PS5 consoles only
– Cross-play with PC/Mobile: Not supported in this beta
– Rewards carry over? Yes, exclusive beta rewards transfer to full launch
– Price: Free to join (limited spots)
Experience the Supernatural Apocalypse on Your TV
Once Human throws you into a Stardust-ravaged open world where reality has fallen apart. You play as a Meta-Human, exploring a massive apocalypse filled with creepy walking buses that stalk empty plains and mutated whale-like aircraft drifting through a broken sky. Build and protect your base, capture Deviants to run your territory and fight alongside you, and use Mutagens to push your evolution past human limits. From what we’ve seen, the visual scale on consoles makes these bizarre creatures feel even stranger and more alive.
We tested the beta on both consoles, and the performance holds up well. The world feels dense with weird details — floating debris, twisted creatures, and that constant sense that something is watching. It’s an unsettling survival game, and that’s exactly the point.
How to Join Before Spots Fill Up
The Open Beta is open worldwide in North America, South America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan. But here’s the catch: spaces are limited and given out first-come, first-served. If you wait too long, you might miss out.
On PlayStation 5: Search for “Once Human Beta” on the PlayStation Store and download it directly.
On Xbox Series X|S: Open the Xbox Insider Hub app. Go to “Previews,” search for “Once Human,” select “Join,” then head to the store page to install.
We recommend grabbing your spot as soon as you can. The team expects high demand, and once those slots fill, they’re gone.
Exclusive Beta Rewards That Stick Around
Here’s the good news: everything you earn during this final test doesn’t vanish. NetEase confirmed that exclusive rewards will carry over to the full game launch. That’s a rare perk for a beta.
Milestone Rewards: Hit Level 20 with any character (or play 3+ hours exclusively in RaidZone) to unlock a Cosmetic Selection Crate and a Weapon Skin Selection Crate. These items are beta-exclusive, so you won’t find them anywhere else.
Data Wipe & Account Carry-Over: Your overall character progress gets reset after the beta. But these assets transfer permanently to the full release:
– All earned Starchrom
– All obtained cosmetics and outfits
– Up to 6 collected Deviants
That last point is huge. Deviants are key to your base operations and combat. Losing them would hurt, but NetEase lets you keep up to six of your best ones.
“We are thrilled to enter the final stretch ahead of our official console launch,” said the Once Human development team. “This last beta is absolutely crucial for perfecting the console experience. We remain fully committed to listening to our community – every piece of feedback and bug report is invaluable in helping us refine the game. We can’t wait to see you all step into the weird and wonderful world of Once Human!”
The tone here matches what we’ve seen from the devs during previous tests: they’re serious about polish and community input. If you want to help shape the final product, this beta is your chance.
How Once Human Compares to Other Survival Games
If you’ve played games like 7 Days to Die or ARK: Survival Evolved, you’ll recognize the base-building and resource-gathering loop. But Once Human leans harder into supernatural horror. Instead of zombies or dinosaurs, you fight reality-bending monsters that feel pulled from a fever dream. The walking buses and flying whale-things aren’t just set dressing — they actively hunt you.
The Mutagen system also sets it apart. You don’t just craft gear; you evolve your character’s biology. That opens up build variety that most survival games don’t offer. And the PvP scenarios add tension for players who want more than just PvE crafting.
On the flip side, the lack of PC and mobile cross-play during this beta might frustrate some players. If your friends are split across platforms, you’ll have to wait. NetEase hasn’t confirmed if full cross-play arrives at launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Once Human Final Console Open Beta end?
The beta runs through July 8 (Pacific Time). After that, servers close until the official console launch.
Is the Once Human beta free on Xbox and PS5?
Yes, it’s completely free. But spots are limited and go first-come, first-served, so download as soon as possible.
Do my beta rewards carry over to the full game?
Yes. Milestone rewards like the Cosmetic Selection Crate and Weapon Skin Selection Crate transfer. So do all Starchrom, cosmetics, outfits, and up to 6 Deviants.
Can I play with PC or mobile friends in this beta?
No. Cross-play only works between Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. PC and mobile cross-play is not supported during this test.
What is the Once Human release date for consoles?
NetEase hasn’t announced a specific launch date yet. This beta is the final test before release, so an announcement should come soon.
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Once Human’s Final Console Open Beta is your last chance to test the supernatural survival game before it hits stores. With exclusive rewards that carry over and a world full of bizarre horrors, this beta sets the stage for what could be one of the weirder survival experiences on console this year. We’ll keep you posted on the official launch date as soon as NetEase shares it. For now, grab your spot, build your base, and capture those Deviants — the Stardust apocalypse isn’t waiting.
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