Natural Selection 2 is a multiplayer first-person shooter combined with real-time strategy elements on PC. Players join one of two opposing factions in large indoor maps, fighting for control of resources and territory in an ongoing struggle between humans and aliens.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around asymmetric combat where marines rely on firearms and technology while aliens use melee attacks and mobility. Each side selects one player to act as commander, who views the battlefield from above and manages resources, researches upgrades, constructs buildings, and supports teammates with abilities or drops.
Marines start with basic rifles and pistols but gain access to shotguns, grenade launchers, flamethrowers, and cluster grenades through research. They can also build sentry guns for defense and later equip jetpacks for rapid movement or heavy exosuits armed with miniguns and railguns. Aliens begin as smaller lifeforms and evolve into specialized forms that emphasize speed, flight, healing, or raw power. Resource nodes scattered across maps become key objectives, as securing them funds further development for the team.
Infestation spreads from alien hives to create new spawn points, while marines focus on clearing structures and holding positions. Movement techniques such as wall-running for aliens or precise positioning for marines add layers of skill to direct confrontations.
Game Modes
The primary experience centers on team-based matches where marines and aliens compete to destroy the opposing team's base structures. One commander per side directs overall strategy while the rest of the team executes on the ground. Matches emphasize territorial control, resource management, and coordinated pushes or defenses rather than simple deathmatch formats.
Players can switch between infantry roles and commander duties within the same session, allowing teams to adapt tactics mid-match based on the flow of resources and map control.
Factions and Lifeforms
The marines, known as Frontiersmen, operate with a focus on ranged weaponry and defensive structures. They research technology trees that improve armor, weapons, and support tools while relying on the commander for ammunition, health, and tactical deployments.
The alien side, called Kharaa, offers five distinct lifeforms that players evolve into using resources. The Skulk provides fast ground attacks with wall-climbing ability. The Lerk supports from the air with gas deployment. The Gorge focuses on construction and healing. The Fade uses teleportation for hit-and-run tactics. The Onos serves as a durable frontline unit capable of withstanding heavy fire.
Is It Worth Playing?
Natural Selection 2 delivers a distinctive hybrid experience that rewards coordination between ground players and the commander. It suits those who enjoy asymmetric multiplayer shooters with strategic depth rather than pure run-and-gun action. The game maintains an active player base for its core matches, and the built-in tools support community modifications that extend variety. Those seeking a blend of shooter mechanics and team-level decision making will find consistent engagement in its ongoing multiplayer environment.
