Xbox Bringing Free-to-Play Survival RPG 'Once Human' Without Game Pass Required

Xbox is opening its doors to a survival game that won't demand a Game Pass subscription—a rarity in Microsoft's ecosystem, where most free offerings come bundled with the service. Once Human, an open-world survival RPG developed by Starry Studio, will launch a closed beta on Xbox Series X/S starting March 26 at 10 p.m. ET, running through April 9 at 2:59 a.m. ET. Every Xbox owner can participate at no cost, regardless of subscription status.

To gain access, players need to register through the Xbox Insider Hub, available on the Microsoft Store. The process is straightforward: open the app on your console, find Once Human Closed Beta in the Previews section, select Join, and complete registration. The catch is that access isn't guaranteed during this testing phase—Microsoft will control who gets in. Those selected can pre-download the game now and prepare for launch day.

What players will encounter during the beta is substantial. The game allows progression up to level 20, giving a meaningful slice of the full experience rather than a thin vertical slice. Everyone who participates will receive the Closed Beta Pack, an exclusive reward that carries over to their account when Once Human officially releases later this year. This approach lets Xbox owners test the waters before committing to the full game while also building a community of early adopters who've already invested time in the world.

Once Human isn't arriving as an unproven title. The game has already found an audience on Steam, where it holds a Very Positive review status with thousands of players vouching for it. The game drops players into a post-apocalyptic future where survival hinges on fighting monsters, gathering resources, and constructing a base to hold ground. The setting blends science fiction with eldritch horror—a combination that appeals to players seeking atmosphere alongside mechanical depth. Starry Studio built something substantial enough to gain traction on PC, and now Xbox players get their turn to see what the fuss is about.

The decision to offer Once Human free without a Game Pass wall signals a shift in how Xbox is approaching free-to-play titles. While Microsoft's subscription service regularly adds new games and serves as a major draw for subscribers, not every free experience needs to live behind that paywall. By letting all Xbox owners try Once Human during the beta period, Microsoft is casting a wider net and potentially converting players who might otherwise never discover the game. The closed beta becomes a gateway—a way to prove the game's worth before asking players to commit to the full release.