Both teams play in first-person, except one player can become "Commander", who leads his team to victory from a top-down perspective. The Commander researches technology, places structures around the map and gives orders to his team. Think of it as "Counter-strike meets Starcraft".
Two Unique Sides
Whether you play as one of the elite marine Frontiersmen or the vicious alien Kharaa, you must use unique strategies and your abilities to win. Marines buy weaponry and form persistent squads to find and destroy alien hives. Aliens can choose a wall-running Skulk, pudgy Gorge, flying Lerk, murderous Fade or gigantic Onos that can devour enemies whole.
Real-time Strategy
New strategy gameplay allows players to Command from overhead. Build structures anywhere, collect resources and research upgrades. The marines can build phase gates, sentry turrets and siege cannons to assault the enemy. Aliens can build upgrade chambers, evolve special abilities, lay eggs and plant traps.
Dynamic Environments
Levels change as you play. Spreading alien infestation deforms hallways and causes space station power failure, halting all lifts. Destroying a catwalk's supports causes it to fall, revealing a new route. Use a flamethrower to clear infestation, spin webs to block a passage or weld a bulkhead shut for a last defense. Every game is different.
Instant Gratification
Rated maps and powerful matchmaking allow you to play with people of any skill level. Play on servers from Easy to Expert or compete in tournaments. Play on the Internet, on a LAN or offline with any number of players. Clever bots will do the rest.
Unlimited Variations
Flexible game rules and scripting allow you to create your own unique scenarios like "Colonist Rescue", "Alien vs. Alien" or anything else you can dream up. Free automatic updates keep the game fresh by adding new levels and abilities.
Natural Selection 2 is powered by the Half-life 2 engine and will be released in the near future on Steam.
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