POPULATION: ONE

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Population: ONE is a fast-paced battle royale game set in a dynamic, ever-shrinking world. Players can climb anything, fly anywhere, and fight everywhere in this VR-only game. Team up with friends or take on solo quests, with the goal of being the last one standing. Gear up, loot up, and stay in the circle to win!

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,843 reviews

gameplay131 positive mentions

stability22 negative mentions

The climbing and gliding mechanics are innovative and add a unique layer to gameplay.
The game has a friendly community, making it enjoyable to play with random teammates.
Fast-paced matches with quick queue times keep the gameplay engaging and exciting.

The graphics are subpar, especially for PCVR, and feel downgraded for compatibility with Quest.
The gunplay and reloading mechanics feel overly simplified and lack realism.
There is no solo mode, forcing players to rely on random teammates, which can lead to frustrating experiences.

gameplay
309 mentions
42 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its unique climbing and gliding mechanics, which are widely praised for their fluidity and fun, enhancing the overall experience. However, opinions on the gun mechanics are mixed, with many players finding them clunky and less satisfying compared to other VR shooters. While the game offers a fast-paced, arcade-like experience that is easy to learn, some players feel that the building mechanic, reminiscent of Fortnite, detracts from the competitive nature of gameplay.
- “The gameplay mechanics are very well polished; climbing, flying, shooting, and reloading feel great, and become second nature fairly quickly.”
- “The climbing and gliding mechanics are such a fun way to explore the map and they open up insane possibilities for approaching combat.”
- “The gameplay is fun, but it's not worth full price considering all the issues.”
- “I want to like this game, but there are just so many issues that hurt the gameplay.”
- “The gun mechanics are the clunkiest that I've ever seen in a VR FPS; the climbing mechanic was actually pretty good, but when it comes to gameplay, it's lacking.”
- “The problem is that it tried to copy Fortnite's terrible platform building mechanics, which adds a layer of unrealistic boredom that is hard to get over.”
graphics
174 mentions
21 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are simplistic, bland, and reminiscent of older titles, primarily due to the game's optimization for the Oculus Quest. While some appreciate the colorful art style and find the visuals serviceable for gameplay, others express disappointment over the significant downgrade from initial trailers and the lack of higher graphical settings for PC users. Overall, while the graphics may not impress, many players feel that the engaging gameplay compensates for the visual shortcomings.
- “The graphics are crisp and the gunplay is satisfying.”
- “While it may not graphically look the best, I think this is one of the most well-done games out there on the VR marketplace.”
- “The graphics are good enough for VR, and graphics is not what this game is trying to do.”
- “The graphics are terrible.”
- “The graphics are weak but honestly who really cares when the game is this fun?”
- “The graphics are a massive downgrade from what was promised, so let's just get that out of the way.”
story
139 mentions
10 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, with many players noting that it feels more like a gameplay-focused experience rather than one driven by story. While some reviewers express a desire for more storytelling elements to enhance engagement, the consensus is that the game is primarily about the mechanics and multiplayer interactions, particularly with a young player base from the Quest platform. Overall, the absence of a compelling story is a common point of feedback among users.
- “There's a lot of room for storytelling in the game, and I think the implementation of this would make it more interesting and engaging.”
- “The game has a high player base as it is supported on all platforms, including the Quest, so finding games is very easy.”
- “Another great thing is that this game is being heavily marketed with the Quest 2 and is completely crossplay, meaning that the player base for this game should stay large for the foreseeable future.”
- “☑ no story”
- “☑️ this game has no story”
- “The game straight up feels like a low quality quest game.”
optimization
38 mentions
37 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its smooth performance and fluid mechanics, particularly on lower-end systems and Oculus headsets. However, some users report issues such as stuttering, especially on PC, and express frustration with the developers' focus on Oculus optimization at the expense of other platforms. While the game is generally well-optimized for VR, there are calls for better support and performance adjustments for PC players.
- “Its optimized really well so it runs nice and all the movements feel natural and fluid.”
- “This is by far the most optimized first-person shooter I have played yet. I have played all the FPS VR titles and this one is the easiest to pick up; the tutorial is fast and tells you everything.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are tight, and the game is highly optimized for a smooth experience.”
- “No solos, hackers in DM, free to play on only one platform, poor optimization, never seen more out-of-touch devs; updates are extremely slow and always lack content.”
- “Performance minimum only applies if you're using anything other than a Quest headset, which Oculus fails to mention. This results in even an i5 6600k, GTX 1060 3GB, 8GB DDR4 RAM system not being able to run it decently (over 20 FPS) once you drop down into a building.”
- “Unfortunately, the developers make no effort to hide the fact that this game is made and optimized for Oculus, and Steam support is an afterthought.”
stability
26 mentions
15 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can significantly impact gameplay. While some users appreciate the developers' quick response to issues and note that the game runs better than similar titles, others express frustration over persistent problems that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game shows potential and can be enjoyable, its stability remains a concern for many players.
- “Great fun, great game! Played on Rift S, Ryzen 7, 5700 XT, Windows 64; runs great.”
- “Overall, this game is a must buy! It runs great even at 120Hz and 100% resolution on my Index and 1070 (overclocked).”
- “Amazing VR experience; feels very polished and runs great.”
- “The game is buggy, servers laggy, and the game constantly crashes on startup.”
- “I would not be exaggerating to say that my 40 hours of Cyberpunk 2077 had fewer freezes than the 1.6 hours I had in this game.”
- “There are plenty of minor glitches and even a few critical ones.”
monetization
20 mentions
10 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
35 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions despite the game's initial purchase price, which ranges from €25 to $30. While some appreciate the optional nature of these purchases and the availability of free cosmetic items, others feel that the focus on microtransactions detracts from the game's development and overall quality. Additionally, concerns about ads and performance issues have led some players to recommend caution before spending money on in-game purchases.
- “As expected, there are microtransactions in the game, just like basically every other battle royale game, but it’s all optional.”
- “I also really enjoy the free skins and outfits mechanic; even without making microtransactions, you can still get some sick skins for free.”
- “If the game developers spent more of the money they receive from in-game purchases on fixing their game, this would be a well-developed game.”
- “It's a fairly expensive game that wants you to buy a battle pass and will surely be riddled with microtransactions (though optional).”
- “Nowhere in the store description does it say this thirty-dollar game has microtransactions.”
replayability
9 mentions
44 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, particularly in social settings, with many players noting that each match offers a unique experience. While some technical issues and competitive balance concerns were mentioned, the potential for ongoing updates and diverse gameplay modes could enhance its longevity. Overall, it appeals to both casual and competitive players, suggesting a strong foundation for replay value.
- “If the game keeps getting updates with events and new unlockables, it will be replayable forever.”
- “Tons of fun with friends and has lots of replayability.”
- “Lots of lag and desync, microtransactions, rubber bullets, the way sniper scopes work is an abomination. I would recommend several other VR shooters before this if you're competitive or want long-term replayability.”
- “I know it's only published as a battle royale, but adding singles, duos, or even a 2-teams battle mode would massively increase replayability.”
- “The replay value here is huge as every match is different.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be a standout feature, often highlighting amusing moments and interactions within the community. Many reviews mention the game's ability to create funny situations, even in unexpected scenarios, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. The lighthearted atmosphere and lack of toxicity further enhance the comedic elements, making it a fun environment for players.
- “The community is hilarious.”
- “But I was dying in laughter at the hilarity of the situation.”
- “It's funny because I bought this game and I was thinking, 'Hmm, mixing battle royale with VR sounds like a very weird idea.' I'm not a fan of battle royales myself, but I do enjoy them.”
grinding
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious and lengthy, with some describing it as requiring significant effort and time investment. While some enjoy the overall experience, they acknowledge that the grind can feel excessive at times, leading to a mixed reception.
- “This game is freaking awesome! Reloading is fun, not tedious, but I do have one complaint: whenever I open the Oculus menu on my CV1, all the audio goes to my computer. Other than that, awesome!”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The free battle pass feels very grindy.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
music
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as lacking the exhilarating quality typically found in battle royale games, potentially contributing to a less engaging experience. Additionally, the presence of various player-generated sounds, including singing and inappropriate language, detracts from the overall atmosphere, making it feel chaotic and distracting.
- “This may be due to the music, graphics, or low number of players, but it doesn't give the same exhilaration that most battle royale games do.”
- “It could be mature adults attempting to be good role models, someone spamming religion (yes, it's happened a few times already... which is baffling to me... Jesus saves! bang-pop-pop-pop, haha, I killed you! *boggle*), a 6-year-old French kid singing some song (cute but annoying when you need the channel open for combat chat), or some immature person targeting young kids and ridiculing them in-between bursts of profanity and other mature language.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a light-hearted and goofy vibe, with players encouraging a focus on fun and consideration for others. Reviewers suggest that embracing this playful tone could enhance the overall experience.
- “This game has a goofy atmosphere, and I think they should lean into it.”
emotional
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate its wholesome and family-friendly nature, others report feeling frustrated and incompetent, particularly when faced with harsh criticism from other players early in their experience.
- “This game evokes a deep emotional connection, making every moment feel impactful and meaningful.”
- “The storytelling is so powerful that it left me in tears, truly a testament to the emotional depth of the game.”
- “I felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout my playthrough, from joy to sadness, which made the experience unforgettable.”