Natural Selection 2

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Natural Selection 2 is a unique game that combines elements of first-person shooter and real-time strategy. Players can choose to be a marine or a alien, each with their own unique abilities and roles. The human Commander supports their team with resources, structures, and weapons, while the alien Commander grows hives and spawns eggs to spread infestation. With two distinct sides and a variety of lifeforms to play as, Natural Selection 2 offers a challenging and dynamic gameplay experience.

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,289 reviews

gameplay266 positive mentions

optimization31 negative mentions

Unique blend of FPS and RTS gameplay that encourages teamwork and strategy.
Still receives updates and has a dedicated community, making it a worthwhile experience.
Offers a variety of playstyles with distinct roles for both Marines and Aliens.

Toxic community that can be unwelcoming to new players, often leading to harassment.
Steep learning curve that may discourage newcomers, especially when matched against experienced players.
Low player base, making it difficult to find balanced matches and often resulting in one-sided games.

gameplay
683 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The gameplay of Natural Selection 2 is characterized by its unique blend of first-person shooter (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) elements, featuring asymmetric gameplay where marines and aliens have distinct mechanics and roles. Players appreciate the depth and complexity of the mechanics, which encourage teamwork and strategic planning, although the steep learning curve can be daunting for newcomers. While the game is praised for its engaging and dynamic gameplay, some users note issues with balance and community toxicity, which can affect the overall experience.
- “This game is on a category of its own, featuring asymmetric FPS gameplay for the majority of players, be it as a fast and sneaky alien predator, or as a marine armed to the teeth.”
- “The gameplay is rich and varied and different than the normal FPS/RPG sort of titles.”
- “Natural selection 2 is a competitive FPS-RTS mix that features asymmetrical gameplay.”
- “Natural Selection 2 often gets described as an FPS/RTS hybrid, but only one player per team experiences RTS-style gameplay.”
- “It all sounds great on paper, but in practice, there are limited viable options, and the vast majority of the skill lies in the mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and the mechanics are broken, same as the commander UI.”
graphics
244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The graphics of Natural Selection 2 have aged impressively since its 2012 release, with many players praising their quality and atmospheric design, often comparing them favorably to more recent titles. While some critiques mention the art style as generic and optimization issues, the overall consensus highlights the game's solid visuals and the developers' ongoing support through updates. Despite being nearly a decade old, the graphics remain a strong point, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience.
- “The graphics hold up almost a full decade later... really impressive.”
- “Graphically, this game from 2012 still outshines some current day releases and is well optimized.”
- “The graphics are amazing for this game's age, and the engine runs incredibly well.”
- “Very fun but terrible graphics optimization.”
- “The games unique and fun mechanics are quickly snuffed out by sloppy graphical optimization and sinfully long load times.”
- “The gameplay was monotonous and the graphics leave much to be desired.”
optimization
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
59%
28%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, long loading times, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved performance slightly, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, making it difficult for players to enjoy the experience fully. Despite its engaging gameplay and impressive graphics for its age, the optimization problems significantly detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Graphically, this game from 2012 still outshines some current day releases and is well optimized.”
- “The graphics are amazing for this game's age, and the engine runs incredibly well.”
- “Performance seems to be quite well optimized for my system; I run 40 fps+ with an old 550 ti.”
- “The optimization is pretty horrid.”
- “This game is badly optimized to say the very least.”
- “Game is so poorly optimized it's completely ridiculous.”
atmosphere
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
21%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, reminiscent of classic sci-fi horror films like "Alien." Players appreciate the detailed graphics, claustrophobic map design, and the tension created by dark environments, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay balance and player engagement, the unique blend of atmospheric elements and strategic team mechanics contributes to a compelling and memorable gaming experience.
- “While all of this is great, one of the best aspects of the game is the atmosphere; it is amazing, the levels just look and feel great.”
- “The maps are very reminiscent of the alien movies, with narrow steel corridors flanked by pipes, vents, and so on, creating an eerie sci-fi-horror atmosphere.”
- “Walking into a pitch-dark room knowing that an alien creature has just recently busted a power box, with only your flashlight giving you some sanctuary in the hostile dark, is a uniquely atmospheric multiplayer experience that only this game has done so far.”
- “The maps are very reminiscent of the Alien movies, with narrow steel corridors flanked by pipes, vents, and so on, creating an eerie sci-fi-horror atmosphere.”
- “With its tight, enclosed environments and creepy atmosphere, you will be running through the halls with your torch aimed at the corners checking for the little blighters.”
- “Natural Selection 2 is truly one of a kind; the graphics are good and there's an eerie, misty atmosphere which makes you alert and keeps you staring at the screen looking for extraterrestrial movement. However, this can be demanding on your computer, so a proper gaming PC is preferred.”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
81%
8%
The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal or non-existent, with many players expressing a desire for a more developed narrative and single-player experience. While some acknowledge the potential for an engaging universe, the focus remains predominantly on gameplay rather than storytelling, leading to a lack of depth and coherence in the plot. Overall, the absence of a compelling storyline detracts from the experience for those seeking a richer narrative.
- “I think part of me always wanted a single player story and a bigger universe.”
- “Maybe this is too risky for developers, but if I become rich, I'm doing this universe with a huge epic story across space.”
- “The feeling of this game is amazing; the idea of an infection and marines fighting for the survival of some base in the middle of nowhere is a great way to engage with the story.”
- “I am not going to recommend it because I did not find any joy out of a poorly constructed plotline and weak motives behind each mission.”
- “There is no unfolding story to this game unfortunately and there is no single player campaign mode.”
- “The designers of Natural Selection 2 decided that they shouldn't really mess around with a storyline, instead allowing the player to just jump straight into the game itself, and as a result, the game has little to no storyline at all.”
replayability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
31%
9%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many reviewers highlighting its unique gameplay mechanics, strategic depth, and the influence of RTS elements that contribute to an almost infinite replay value. Players appreciate the variety of playstyles and the dynamic nature of matches, which ensures that each session feels fresh and engaging. Additionally, the presence of mods and a dedicated community further enhances the game's longevity, making it a standout title in terms of replayability.
- “The RTS elements make for an almost unlimited replay value.”
- “It has a bit of a steep learning curve, but once you get things down, the game is infinitely replayable.”
- “Natural Selection is simply the best FPS/RTS hybrid of all time and offers a tremendous amount of replayability because of its asynchronous gameplay and large complex maps.”
- “Pretty fun but no replayability, strong community following.”
- “The idea of an alien kind of game is nice, but the game somehow didn't have much of a replay value for me.”
- “Natural selection is simply the best FPS/RTS hybrid of all time and offers a tremendous amount of replayability because of its asynchronous gameplay and large complex maps.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some players have experienced stable performance over extended playtime, the overall consensus highlights persistent technical issues, particularly when joining servers or using mods. Despite ongoing community support and patches, many feel that the game remains plagued by instability and poor balance.
- “The game is to this day being patched and balanced by people from the community, so it is a very bug-free and fair experience (if your teams have comparable gameplay experience, of course).”
- “Also runs great!”
- “Everything runs great on GNU/Linux.”
- “Game freezes when trying to join a server.”
- “This game has been out for this long and it's so hard to finish a single match without some technical issue that completely ruins the game for me, either making all my sound except for voice not work or just kicking me out of matches for no reason.”
- “Game crashes or freezes up all the time.”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding joy in the absurdity of gameplay interactions, such as yelling at toxic teammates and the comedic dynamics of alien versus human battles. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create funny moments through its asymmetrical gameplay and the antics of players, making it a source of laughter despite its technical shortcomings. Overall, the humor adds a layer of enjoyment that keeps players engaged, even amidst frustrations.
- “Funny alien game, no really this is a gem of a game.”
- “Makes you think twice about sending all of those Terran marines to their bloody hilarious deaths.”
- “The next you're laughing as you play an alien, eating the faces of marines (and being cute as you do so).”
- “Playing this game is just not funny and feels like a waste of time.”
music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, with many reviewers highlighting an impressive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, players often find themselves needing to turn off background music to focus on in-game sounds, as communication and environmental audio are crucial for gameplay. While the soundtrack is noted as ambient and fitting for various settings, it is not prominently featured during matches, leading to mixed feelings about its integration.
- “Amazing soundtrack, outstanding graphics, and the gameplay doesn't leave much to be desired.”
- “The environments look and feel fantastic for the setting, and the soundtrack is perfectly done.”
- “Really fun and addicting, and has an awesome soundtrack.”
- “The game ends, wait 3 minutes for new map shuffle - I load in; I can hear my teammates talking, but no gunshots, ambiance, or music.”
- “There is too much valuable communication to play music in the background.”
- “The in-game experience of Natural Selection 2 doesn't actually offer any music and the sound effects are a little poor in some places.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
15%
64%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it tedious and requiring significant time investment, others appreciate that the game minimizes the need for extensive grinding compared to other titles. The balance between strategic gameplay and grinding elements varies, with some players enjoying the tactical depth while others feel overwhelmed by the grind, especially in prolonged matches. Overall, the game is noted for reducing the grind compared to its predecessors, making it more enjoyable for those seeking a less grind-heavy experience.
- “It's a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the rewards are worth it.”
- “Grinding can feel a bit excessive at times, yet it keeps the game engaging.”
- “Games can be won on single kills or by slowly grinding down the enemy side.”
- “Overwhelming the marine team after a long game as aliens can be very tedious and lengthy, even after the whole map apart from one base is under alien control.”
- “Natural Selection 2 is the first game for a long time in my game list that does not require grinding weeks to get something usable, does not offer achievements, or level up or customization possibilities.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
14%
57%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of intrusive microtransactions, aside from a skin pack DLC. This approach allows for a more enjoyable experience, as the game focuses on solid gameplay rather than cash grabs, contributing to its longevity and player satisfaction.
- “All love to making a great game better, but with no microtransactions.”
- “Cash grab with skin pack 'supporter' DLC.”
- “(I hate microtransactions) so that means you're lucky!”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of empowerment and satisfaction, particularly during intense gameplay and victories. The experience elicits a range of feelings, from joy and adrenaline to deeper emotional responses, indicating that the game has a significant impact on its players.
- “I deeply hope a literal or emotional sequel will come about when this game does finally come to rest.”
- “This game made me feel like a powerful mistress and the only game that gave me the satisfaction and adrenaline rush after my team won.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 pounds!”

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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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65h Median play time

394h Average play time

10-300h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs

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