We have games like Stray that take a more relaxed approach to post-apocalyptic stories with what we described as a “heartwarming journey”. We also have games like Dead Man’s Diary that take a grittier approach. And now we’ve stumbled upon one that might be a new The Last Of Us-like. You can check some video footage about it here. They even mention in their description that “this game with ultra realistic graphics is a single player story-driven post-apocalyptic action adventure walking simulator that will remind you of The Last of Us and What Remains of Edith Finch”. Will they be able to support their bold claims? Let’s take a look at Once Alive and see for ourselves.
The game is made in Unreal Engine 5 by a solo developer. And we’ll now take a look their Steam page to pinpoint what’s it about.
A story-driven, first-person adventure game offering a cinematic experience. Embark on a journey to HaustVille, an abandoned settlement in a post-apocalyptic world. Explore your surroundings and uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of the last survivors.
Here’s what we can find out from their Steam description:
Part I: The Last Survivor
Sixteen years have passed since humanity’s extinction due to a global virus outbreak. You play as James, who, along with his brother, believes they are the last survivors. However, this changes when he discovers an invitation to a survivors’ base, HaustVille.
Part II: Whatever It Takes
Determined to find others, the brothers leave everything behind. After a few days, they reach HaustVille, but something feels wrong about this village.
Part III: They Are Gone
Key Features
- Developed using Unreal Engine 5, utilizing cutting-edge technology for a fully immersive experience.
- The entire village is waiting to be explored. And every place has a story to tell.
- Discover the past through environmental storytelling, speech echoes, and objects left behind by other survivors.
- A hostile world awaits, where the virus has not only decimated the population but made animals more aggressive. Caution is essential in the wilderness.
- Experience cinematic cutscenes that intensify the narrative.
Once Alive Release Information
The full game will be available very soon, with a release date set for 18th November. There’s also a demo up for grabs on Steam if you want to test it out before you decide to throw your cash at it. Below you have some footage of me giving it a try. Slow-loading textures and stuttering did happen at times. But again, this is a demo and the whole game is developed by one person. They might be able to fix these given time. We’ll see if they manage to deliver on their bold claims once the game is out.
The full release is set for 18th November and the full game should have controller support. I used both a keyboard and an Xbox Controller. Below are the PC requirements:
Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS *: Windows 8 or higher
- Processor: New Intel i3 or old Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB / AMD RX 570 4GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 15 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Graphics Mode: FHD (1080p), Low Quality, 40fps Upscaler: FSR Balanced
The recommended settings just state the need for a 64-bit processor and operating system. I did reach out on social media to see if they have plans for a console release. In the meantime, it will only be available for PC folks.
Leave a Reply