Space Marines vs Aliens Rages on in Natural Selection 2 - Preview
by Nick Pantazis , posted on 08 June 2012 / 5,096 Views
Multiplayer shooters aren’t exactly a rare thing; nor are multiplayer strategy games. Games that combine both, however, are extremely uncommon. Natural Selection 2 is out to redefine the competitive multiplayer experience. The original Natural Selection was a popular mod of Half-Life. It created an asymmetrical gameplay experience between aliens and humans. This means aliens and humans play completely differently, with different strategies and classes.
There are two factions in Natural Selection 2, humans and aliens. Each race has individual playable units and a commander, who fills the real-time strategy role of the game. The commander places structures and plays from an overhead view of the map, assisting the troops on the ground, and providing a tactical perspective. Each unit has their own advantages and disadvantages as well, and they’re played from a first-person perspective.
Marines will need to group up in squads to be effective, using their wide variety of available weapons (which they can purchase from armories during gameplay) to effectively counter alien forces. They can also build turrets and siege cannons for defense and assault. Marines have to be careful though, because their structures require power to work, and if the power goes out their turrets will be useless. Protecting their investments, be it turrets or building, is essential for marine success, and they’ll depend on their commander to effectively spawn the right tools for the job.
In the spirit of asymmetry, the aliens play nothing like this. Instead, the aliens have 5 types, each with a completely unique gameplay style. The Skulk can run along walls and through vents to ambush unsuspecting marines, while the Gorge skids along the ground spewing poison gas and giving poison bites. Meanwhile the Lurk can fly at ridiculous speeds and shoot spiny projectiles and the Fade can blink. The Onos is a tank, which can take tons of damage and dish it out as well, but it’s so slow that it will need plenty of backup... at least until it charges down marines in a mad rush. The alien commander requires infestation to place structures, which include upgrade chambers and traps.
In practice the game plays great. It’s a speedy game, especially when using certain aliens, and players will need to keep on their toes to compete. On the marine side the shooting mechanics are tight and effective, and while navigation can be tough with certain aliens much of that is just getting used to their wild movement mechanics. It’s an undeniably fun experience, and potentially hugely addicting multiplayer romp. Natural Selection 2 launches this summer on Steam for the bargain price of $35.
