Once Human: Isles of Abyss Scenario Launches October 21
Isles of Abyss sets sail on October 21 (PT) with ship building, naval combat, diving and a 21-day PvE cycle. Here's what the dev blog confirms.
The developers of Once Human have announced that the new survival scenario Isles of Abyss launches on October 21, 2026 (PT), right after that day's maintenance update. It takes the game out to sea, with scattered islands, ship building and diving for lost treasure.
If you're planning to sign up on day one, the details matter: the scenario is PvE, runs on a fixed cycle and changes how progression works. Below is what the official dev blog says about the release, the world, ships, gameplay and launch rewards. The blog is a pre-launch preview, so some details, values and rewards are still being adjusted.
Release Time, Phases and Server Rules
Isles of Abyss is available on all platforms, including PC, console and mobile. After character creation and the new player experience, you sign up from the scenario selection screen, and players already in other scenarios can use the scenario sign-up screen. The rules are the same as for other scenarios.
- Cycle: about 21 days, split into two game mode phases, followed by the rest stage.
- Phase I: roughly 5 to 10 days. It gets shorter as the server's purification progress advances.
- Phase II: 11 days. As purification advances, the endgame challenge of The Sunken Lord unlocks.
- Worlds: 12 worlds per server.
- Vision: no Vision Tag at launch. The Vision World for Isles of Abyss servers opens later, alongside the S5 Vision release.
- Permanent Server: expected to open on November 12, 2026 (PT), before the first batch of servers closes.
Characters start at max level, and the Cradle system isn't available in this scenario. You advance through Tech instead, and your existing Blueprints and Mods carry over. Craftable gear rarity is limited by your Tech progress.
The Archipelago, Ships and Gameplay
The map runs from tropical coconut groves to cold tundra. Weather anomalies called Haywire Zones change the exploration rules: Mist of Deceit in Reefshadow Bay, Black Tide in Misty Marsh, Time Rain in Spring Valley and Skyfire around Falling Ember. Each one adds pressure on things like visibility, temperature or sanity, and each yields its own special resources. You start at Fragrant Cape.
Ships are your main survival tool. You can design a hull freely in Build Mode, save ship designs, and pick propulsion from manual and sail power up to fuel and electric drive. Auto Cruise follows a route you've marked. Ship Cannons include the Harpoon Cannon, Long Cannon, Rapid-fire Cannon, Frost Cannon and Corrosion Cannon, and Phase II adds options like the Rocket Launcher and Freezing Cannon.
New activities include:
- Beachcombing and treasure hunts: collect supplies along the coast, then follow treasure maps to underwater ruins and laboratories.
- Abyssal Sea Fishing: use the Abyssal Sea Fishing Rod to go after large fish such as Shark and Tuna. For more on fishing, see our best fishing locations guide.
- Bay Crocodile: capture one with the Tranquilizer Throwing Needle, then breed it or mount it on the water.
- Boss content: Voyagers, the Calamity Tower, the Calamity Nest, the Sea Calamity Zone, Drifting Greenhouses and, in the end, The Sunken Lord.
Beating The Sunken Lord can drop the new Deviation Duet, which changes weather effects in your territory. Eight new Morphed Deviations are also added, including Shattered Maiden - Sailor Suit from the Calamity Tower and Whalepup - Don't Get Wet from Voyagers. Two new armor Mods arrive too: Precision Load (Lower Body) and Turret Enhancement (Gloves).
Launch Rewards and RaidZone
The launch comes with in-game benefits:
- New Legendary Blueprints and Gear Blueprints as sign-in gifts
- Double Rebate on first purchase
- A free Isles of Abyss launch commemorative Weapon Skin
- Halloween events starting at the same time, with limited cosmetics and Shiny Mods
Once Human RaidZone also gets Isles of Abyss: RaidZone, a PvP mode where everyone competes in the same waters with no separate worlds. You enter it by switching Mode on the character sign-in page and picking its server.
That covers what we know ahead of launch. You can read the full post on the Steam news page. While you wait, check our guides on the hardest bosses ranked, tamable animals and where to find them and how to get and use cosmetic tokens. See you on the water!
