The survival genre has been on fire over the past few years, with standout titles like Palworld, Valheim, Sons of the Forest, and Rust dominating player attention. Among these heavyweights, Once Human has carved out a loyal following, and as we step into 2025, developer Starry Studio is showing no signs of slowing down.
Launching with a strong player base on Steam in 2024, the free-to-play survival game continues to thrive. Now, Once Human update 1.3.5 is rolling out, addressing common frustrations and introducing quality-of-life improvements that players have been requesting for months.
If you’ve been immersed in the world of Once Human, battling for survival, expanding your base, or managing your ranch, this update promises to make life in-game much smoother.
Character Deletion – A Long-Awaited Feature
One of the most notable additions in this update is character deletion.
Previously, managing characters could become frustrating, especially for long-time players with maxed-out rosters. With update 1.3.5, players can now delete unwanted characters through the new character management tool.
Here’s how the system works:
- Once initiated, the character will enter a five-day holding period.
- During this time, the character’s name is reserved, giving you a chance to reverse the process.
- After five days, the character is permanently deleted, freeing up one of the ten character slots.
🚨 Important: Make sure to remove any items from the character before initiating deletion. Once the process begins, you cannot access that character.
Overhauled Ranching – Less Micromanagement, More Efficiency
Managing your ranch in Once Human is now easier than ever.
Animals are a crucial part of survival, providing resources and contributing to the overall ecosystem of your base. However, keeping their hydration and energy levels up could previously feel like a chore.
With this update:
- Animals require less micromanagement – reducing the time spent constantly tending to them.
- Trough food no longer spoils, ensuring animals stay fed without the need for regular replenishment.
- Food placed in troughs cannot be withdrawn, adding an element of commitment but streamlining overall maintenance.
Your own food is also more durable.
- Items stored in the fridge will now last 20 times longer than before.
These updates reduce survival game stress and let players focus on exploration and expansion.
Vehicle Repairs On the Go
Exploration is at the heart of Once Human, and that often means venturing far from your base. In the past, repairing vehicles required a return trip, adding unnecessary downtime.
With update 1.3.5:
- Players can now craft vehicle repair drills at intermediate or advanced workbenches.
- These drills allow on-the-go vehicle repairs, keeping your transport in top shape during long expeditions.
This feature is a game-changer for players who enjoy exploring distant areas or setting out on extended resource runs.
Enhanced Construction and Storage Options
Base building and crafting are central to Once Human’s gameplay loop, and this update makes those systems more intuitive.
- Furniture formulas have been expanded at the Designer’s Workstation, allowing for greater customization and design flexibility.
- A recent and most-used components tab has been added to construction mode, making it easier to access frequently needed items.
- When placing traps or weapon combat facilities, attack ranges are now visible, providing better defense planning and strategic layout options.
These tweaks aim to reduce clutter and improve efficiency during base construction.
Red Dot Notifications – Finally Addressed
Another welcome quality-of-life improvement addresses red dot notifications.
- Previously, players had to manually click each ‘new’ red dot notification to clear them.
- Now, simply viewing the tab will automatically clear the notifications, significantly reducing unnecessary clicks.
For players who manage large inventories or complex bases, this small change makes a big difference in day-to-day gameplay.
Twitch Drop Issues – Fixing Missing Rewards
Players missing their Christmas Twitch drops have not been forgotten. Starry Studio has issued the following instructions:
- Ensure you have completed the scenario settlement.
- Clear your mailbox to avoid full inbox issues.
If issues persist, missing Twitch rewards will be reissued via in-game mail by Friday, January 17.
What’s Next for Once Human – 2025 Roadmap Highlights
This update is just the beginning. Starry Studio has big plans for 2025, and the first major content drop kicks off on January 16.
Here’s what to expect:
- Visional Wheel – A new feature launching mid-January, introducing rotating challenges and fresh gameplay twists.
- Lunar Oracle Event – The first phase of the Visional Wheel. Under the eerie light of a red moon, players’ sanity will slowly degrade. To survive, you must hunt and eliminate enhanced Deviants to restore balance.
This evolving, dynamic challenge system aims to keep gameplay fresh, engaging, and unpredictable.
Final Thoughts – A Strong Year Ahead for Once Human
With significant quality-of-life improvements, Once Human update 1.3.5 addresses key player frustrations while paving the way for exciting future content.
From streamlined ranching and easier vehicle repairs to long-awaited character management features, Starry Studio is clearly listening to its community.
As survival enthusiasts dive into Once Human’s evolving world, 2025 is shaping up to be another stellar year for the game.
Are you excited for the latest update? Let us know how these changes impact your gameplay experience!
