NS2: Combat

A solid and highly enjoyable title, Natural Selection 2: Combat is recommended to fans of Half-Life and competitive multiplayer shooters.

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"NS2: Combat is a sci-fi, team-based, multiplayer shooter with a focus on competitive gameplay. Players can choose from several alien and marine races, each with unique abilities and strengths. The game features class-based mechanics, tactical gameplay, and various game modes, including objective-based and kill-based matches."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online

Reviews

42%

Audience ScoreBased on 204 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features visually stunning lighting and solid gameplay mechanics that hold up well over time.
It offers a unique asymmetrical multiplayer experience with engaging gameplay elements like XP gathering and instant upgrades.
Players who enjoy fast-paced action and team-based gameplay may find it fun, especially if they can gather friends to play together.

The player base is virtually non-existent, making it difficult to find matches or enjoy multiplayer gameplay.
Many players feel that the game is overpriced for the content it offers, especially compared to the original Natural Selection 2.
The game suffers from balance issues and a steep learning curve, which can be discouraging for new players.

gameplay
28 mentions
21 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Gameplay in this title is marked by a mix of solid core mechanics and frustrating restrictions, particularly regarding upgrades and matchmaking, which can hinder new players. While the fast-paced combat and balance are praised, many feel it lacks differentiation from its predecessor, Natural Selection 2, and suffers from issues like unbalanced matchups and a poorly implemented progression system. Overall, the game offers visually stunning environments and enjoyable combat, but significant gameplay flaws detract from the experience.
- “But the core mechanics, the balance, the 'combat' if you will, are excellent.”
- “Fast-paced combat, fluid gameplay, perfect balance, these things make this game a blast.”
- “One of the things I really liked about ns1:combat is its more casual gameplay style.”
- “They placed a number of restrictions on buying upgrades and abilities that are downright stupid, ruin the flow of the gameplay, or make it more frustrating.”
- “New players are pitted against experienced players and there are no mechanics to help new players win.”
- “Matchmaking works awfully and gameplay is castrated compared to the original game.”
optimization
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally viewed positively, with players noting improved performance and quicker loading times in the standalone version compared to previous builds. The separation from the original game allows for greater creative freedom and the removal of unused systems, enhancing overall gameplay experience. New players may find the optimized settings beneficial, as personal performance is less critical in this version.
- “There are some advantages to it being a standalone, too, chief among them being more creative freedom for mechanics and content, as well as increased performance due to being able to cut out a lot of the unused systems from the engine.”
- “Ns2 mindless combat and nice performance compared to ns2 (build 269)!”
- “Ns2 combat should have optimized your settings to allow the game's loading times to be a bit quicker.”
- “A new player would actually have an easier time in standard ns2, as personal performance doesn't matter as much.”
- “(because it is their own separate game, so they do deserve to be paid for it. Beware of misinformation about UWE simply being greedy and chopping up ns2.) There are some advantages to it being a standalone, too, chief among them being more creative freedom for mechanics and content, as well as increased performance due to being able to cut out a lot of the unused systems from the engine.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, capitalizing on a previously free mod for NS2, while simultaneously disrupting the original mod and neglecting necessary updates.
- “It's a vain cash grab at monetizing a previously free mod for NS2, with the forced breakage of the natural NS2 mod (and refusal to update it to fix it) coinciding with the release of this game.”