PlayStation Drops Free 265-Hour Open-World RPG, No PS Plus Needed

Published Sep 12, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

When it comes to PlayStation games being "free to download", it often means that it does not cost any additional money for those subscribed to PlayStation Plus. So, is it really free? Not really, especially with the price of both PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass memberships increasing on a yearly basis.

However, when it comes to this free game, there is no catch. If you have a PlayStation 5, you can go ahead and download it right now, and with the game offering over 260 hours of content, at least according to HowLongToBeat, it is safe to say that this is an experience you do not want to miss out on.

The title in question is none other than Once Human, a survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future where Lovecraftian-esque monsters haunt the landscape and players will need to go it alone, or team up with friends, in order to take them down, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build their own territory in order to defend against these monsters and equally monstrous humans.

Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world.

Developed by Starry Studio and first launched back in July 2024, Once Human has built up a dedicated fanbase, and it is hard to believe a game with this much content is still completely free to play across all platforms, including PlayStation.

"You wake up in the middle of nowhere," the official game synopsis reads. "You'll have to brace yourself for the cruelty of nature (from monsters to lack of food); however, Stardust's influence does not restrict to living things, it also affects the soil and water. Eating polluted food and drinking dirty water will reduce your Sanity. When your Sanity drops, your max HP would drop accordingly. To eat or not to eat, it's a question."

When you are not fighting monsters and bosses from other dimensions, you will be able to delve into the mystery surrounding Stardust. By exploring other human settlements, you will be able to explore its history and its true side effects, but with several factions across the world, you will soon discover that not all of them are open to receiving guests.

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Luckily, you will have access to over 100 gun blueprints, allowing you to collect and craft a formidable arsenal. "Did I mention accessories and gun perks? Right, they are the heroes here. If our current weapon cannot satisfy your need, you can add different parts and perks, upgrade your firearm to your heart's content."

In order to defend your supplies, you will need to build your very own territory in Once Human. Whether you want your home to be practical or kit it out with a kitchen, patio and garage, is entirely up to you, but with an extensive build mode, you can truly make a house a home.

Once Human has received mainly positive reviews since its launch, and with it costing absolutely nothing to play, you do not stand to lose anything by checking out, and yes, even if you do not have a PS Plus subscription.

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