Sixteen years after a global virus wiped out humanity, James has come to believe that he and his brother are all that remain. But then an invitation arrives, pointing towards a survivors’ base in a place called HaustVille – and suddenly the idea of being alone doesn’t seem quite so certain. That’s where Once Alive begins.
Available now on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support, this post-apocalyptic mystery comes from developer Cem Boray Yıldırım and publisher NAISU, priced at £4.19.
At A Glance
- Game: Once Alive
- Price: £4.19
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Play Anywhere
- Genre: Post-apocalyptic adventure
- Developer: Cem Boray Yıldırım
- Publisher: NAISU
The Search For Other Survivors
Once Alive follows James and his brother as they leave their isolated lives behind and set out in search of others. The invitation to HaustVille offers hope that humanity may not have disappeared entirely.
After days of travelling, the brothers finally arrive. But HaustVille isn’t what they expected.
Something feels wrong about the village, and before long the search for other survivors becomes something else entirely. Where has everyone gone? What happened to the people who were supposed to be there? And what further answers can be uncovered about the virus that changed the world?
A Village Full of Stories
The mystery unfolds across three parts, with players exploring HaustVille and gradually piecing together what happened through the environment around them.
Every location has a story to tell, with Once Alive using abandoned objects, environmental details and echoes of past conversations to reveal more about the people who came before. The entire village is there to explore, but the answers won’t necessarily be handed over easily.
And while the world may seem empty, it isn’t completely harmless. The virus has also made animals more aggressive, meaning the wilderness presents dangers of its own.
Alone, But Not Quite
Built using Unreal Engine 5, and having previously launched on Steam, Once Alive combines its exploration and environmental storytelling with cinematic cutscenes to push its mystery forward.
The central question, though, remains a compelling one. If James and his brother aren’t the last survivors, then where is everyone?
For £4.19, Once Alive is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support. Make your way to the Xbox Store in order to get involved, just don’t expect HaustVille to give up its secrets without a fight.
