Alex Ruben
How To Play Once Human on PC and Mac: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve ever tried playing mobile-only games like Once Human on your computer, you probably ran into some issues. Maybe the game runs poorly, crashes, or just isn’t optimized for desktop controllers. Using an emulator like BlueStacks sounds like the way to go, but setting it up right can be a bit tricky, especially if it’s your first time. This guide cuts through the noise and lays out how to get Once Human running smooth and look good, using BlueStacks. You’ll learn how to install BlueStacks 5, tweak settings to suit your hardware, and map controls so it’s comfortable to play. The goal? Full-screen, responsive gameplay with keyboard and mouse support — no lag, no fuss.
How to Play Once Human on PC & Mac Using BlueStacks
Download and Install BlueStacks 5
This is step one because without BlueStacks, there’s no way to run Android games on your PC or Mac. Installing BlueStacks 5 isn’t rocket science, but it’s worth mentioning some common hiccups. Sometimes the installer stalls or it installs a slightly older version unless you get the latest from their website.
- Head over to the official BlueStacks download page: https://bstk.me/pq5zmbgAw.
- Run the setup file you download — it’ll be named something like
BlueStacksInstaller.exe. - Follow the prompts, choosing default options if you’re not sure. Be patient; on some setups, the installation can take a few minutes or might freeze temporarily. Give it a bit of time before trying to restart if needed.
- Once installed, BlueStacks usually opens itself, but if not, launch it from your desktop or applications folder.
Set Up Your Google Account in BlueStacks
Same as on your phone, you need a Google account to access the Play Store and download Once Human. Sometimes this step gets overlooked, and then you’re just staring at a blank screen.
- Open the Play Store inside BlueStacks — you’ll see the familiar Google interface.
- Log in with your Google credentials. If prompted, verify your account or skip through any initial setup screens.
Download Once Human from the Play Store
Now that you’re in, finding and installing the game should be straightforward, but a few things can trip you up. Maybe your Play Store search is weird, or the game won’t show up in your country. Sometimes, searching for the exact title helps, or you might need to sideload APK if it’s region-restricted.
- Type Once Human into the Play Store search bar.
- Click Install and wait — on some setups it takes a bit longer, depending on your internet.
Configure BlueStacks Settings for Better Performance
This part is kinda crucial. BlueStacks has a lot of settings that can make or break gameplay. I’ve seen plenty of folks struggle because they didn’t tweak these until after problems started.
- Click the gear icon in BlueStacks to open Settings.
- Go to the Performance tab. Here’s what to aim for:
- Assign more CPU cores if your CPU can handle it — usually something like 4 or more. It’s often in a dropdown, like CPU allocation.
- Set dedicated RAM — if your PC has 8 GB or more, allocate around 4 GB; for 4 GB RAM, set it to 2 GB maximum. You’ll find the slider under Memory.
- Switch to Balanced mode for a good blend of performance and stability.
- Enable High Frame Rate and set the frame rate to match your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz). Some users notice smoother gameplay once this is dialed in.
- In the Display section, set your preferred resolution. For most setups, 1920×1080 works fine, but if your PC struggles, lower it to 1280×720.
- Scroll down and turn on Display FPS during gameplay — helps monitor if your game is lagging.
Launch the Game and Update It
After settings are dialed in, your next step is launching Once Human. Sometimes the game prompts for an update, which is normal and worth doing to avoid crashes or bugs.
- Click on the game icon in BlueStacks — it’ll be in your app drawer.
- Follow any prompts to download patches, then log in or create a new account if needed.
Setup Controls & Customizations
This is where things get more comfortable. BlueStacks lets you map keyboard controls, which can drastically improve your gameplay. Because of course, playing with mouse and keyboard beats touchscreen controls for precision.
- Hit the Keyboard icon on the right sidebar.
- Review the preset control schemes. Often, they are decent, but you might want to change buttons for attack or movement — especially if you’re used to PC gaming.
- Use the Controls Editor to drag and assign keys. For example, map WASD for movement, or assign mouse clicks to in-game actions.
Adjust In-Game Graphics & Settings
Finally, tweak the in-game settings to match your hardware. Low-end PC? Crank down shadows, effects, and resolution. Higher-end? You can turn those up for better visuals. Sometimes, just turning off unnecessary background apps makes a difference, especially if BlueStacks still lags.
- Open the in-game menu and navigate to Settings or Graphics.
- Adjust resolution, detail level, and toggle effects according to your comfort.
- Set sensitivity controls for touch, if applicable, and tune accordingly.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Been there, done that — sometimes BlueStacks acts up right after install. Make sure your graphics drivers are current, and your PC meets the hardware needs. If performance isn’t smooth, try lowering the resolution or closing other applications. Also, check BlueStacks forums or GitHub repositories like Winhance if you want advanced tweaks, but that’s more granular tuning.
Wrap-up
Getting Once Human to run nicely on your PC or Mac isn’t magic, but it’s not completely straightforward either. With some tweaking—especially in performance and control configs—it’s surprisingly playable. Just remember: patience is key, and don’t be afraid to experiment with settings until it feels right.
Summary
- Download BlueStacks from the official site.
- Install and set up your Google account inside BlueStacks.
- Download Once Human from the Play Store.
- Optimize BlueStacks settings for your hardware.
- Launch, update, and customize controls for better gameplay.
- Fine-tune in-game graphics and settings for performance.
Fingers crossed this helps
If this gets one setup working without a hitch or at least makes things clearer, then it was worth the effort. Good luck, and happy gaming.