Natural Selection 2 sets human marines against the alien Kharaa in a struggle for survival, but its defining idea is the combination of first-person combat and real-time strategy. Each side has a Commander who surveys the battlefield, directs teammates, manages resources, builds structures, researches technology, and deploys abilities. That makes the frontline fight part of a larger contest over where each team can operate and what support it can bring to bear.
The two factions approach that contest differently. Marines use firearms and can construct Exosuits or equip jetpacks, while alien players evolve into one of five lifeforms with distinct roles: Skulks attack at close range, Lerks fly and support allies, and Gorges heal and build tactical structures, among other options. Command decisions can shape those encounters, from supplying a marine squad to establishing a new alien Hive. The result is not simply a shooter with opposing character classes; it asks players to combine individual combat with coordinated objectives and battlefield planning.
Its design also supports community-made variations: the game includes mod tools, open-source code, and Steam Workshop sharing. Those features sit alongside the central human-versus-alien match, giving the game a distinctive mix of tactical teamwork and customizable play.
