Building comparison
head to head
Once HumanvsVoid Bastards
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.
Once Human
Optimization · Practiced Mastery
Progressing through a contaminated open world by solving its scenario tech tree and optimising base builds.
Void Bastards
Optimization · Systems & Chaos
A strategic FPS roguelite where planning efficient resource chains across random ships is the real test.
Once Human leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Void Bastards leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Once HumanVoid Bastards
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 4
Once Human leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Once Human
Third-person shooting and dodge rolls require real aim and timing
Void Bastards
Light FPS combat with some aiming but heavy strategic emphasis
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Once Human
Deviant creatures follow scripted attack patterns only
Void Bastards
Alien enemies follow scripted patrol and attack patterns
Variance5 vs 6
Void Bastards leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Once Human
Deviant spawn composition and loot tables carry meaningful randomness
Void Bastards
Ship layouts and enemy compositions randomise resource availability each run
Optimization7 vs 7
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Once Human
Scenario tech tree, base construction, and gear crafting are solvable
Void Bastards
Resource chain planning and technology tree progression are the defining axes
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.