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Natural Selection 2 vs Sanctum 2

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Natural Selection 2
Natural Selection 2A hybrid FPS/RTS where humans and aliens battle for evolution supremacy
Sanctum 2
Sanctum 2Blend tower‑defense strategy with first‑person shooting in a sci‑fi co‑op adventure.
Overview
Description

Natural Selection 2 blends first‑person shooter action with real‑time strategy, letting players command either the technologically advanced Marines or the adaptable Alien hive. Set in a sci‑fi horror universe, each side evolves its abilities through resource gathering and combat victories. The game emphasizes teamwork, asymmetric gameplay, and a dynamic evolution system that rewards strategic thinking as much as shooting skill, delivering a deep multiplayer experience for competitive players.

Sanctum 2 combines tower‑building and wall construction with fast‑paced first‑person shooter combat. Players design defenses during a build phase, then jump into the action to protect the Core from relentless alien waves. The game offers a single‑player campaign and up to four‑player co‑op, letting friends explore the alien planet LOEK III together while uncovering its secrets and surviving relentless alien assaults.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Co-op Shooters
First-Person Shooters
Best for
Competitive FPS and RTS fans
Players who enjoy strategy‑shooters and co‑op action
Specifications
General
msrp
$19.99−33%
$29.99
release date
2012-10-30
2013-05-15
Specifications
developer
Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Coffee Stain Studios
publisher
Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Reverb Communications, D3 Publisher, Coffee Stain Studios
age rating
ESRB M
ESRB T
multiplayer
Multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
critic score
85/100+6%
80/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Deep asymmetric gameplay keeps each match fresh
  • Robust evolution system rewards strategic planning
  • Strong community mod support extends replayability
  • High skill ceiling appeals to competitive players
  • Unique hybrid of tower‑defense and FPS gameplay
  • Supports up to four players in co‑op mode
  • Cross‑platform availability on PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, and Xbox 360
  • Engaging sci‑fi setting with a clear storyline
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Limited matchmaking options can lead to long wait times
  • Graphics are dated compared to newer titles
  • Graphics are dated compared to modern titles
  • Limited post‑launch content updates
  • Steep learning curve for balancing building and shooting
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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Alternatives to Sanctum 2

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Anomaly Defenders
Anomaly Defenders

Defend the alien hive from a human onslaught in fast‑paced tower defense.

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Commando Jack
Commando Jack

Defend the world by building towers and manning the turret yourself

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Sanctum
Sanctum

Blend tower defense strategy with first‑person shooting action

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Anomaly 2
Anomaly 2

Lead a convoy against alien machines in a tactical tower‑offense showdown

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Natural Selection 2 offers deeper asymmetric competitive play with a higher skill ceiling, while Sanctum 2 provides a more accessible co‑op tower‑defense FPS experience.

Key differences

  • •Asymmetric vs. tower‑defense focus: NS2 pits Marines vs. Aliens with evolving abilities; Sanctum 2 blends building towers with shooting.
  • •Multiplayer size: NS2 supports up to 32 players in large battles; Sanctum 2 caps at 4 players for co‑op missions.
  • •Platform reach: NS2 runs on Windows, macOS, Linux only; Sanctum 2 is available on PC, Mac, Linux, PS3 and Xbox 360.
  • •Price: NS2 costs $19.99; Sanctum 2 costs $29.99, making NS2 the cheaper option.
  • •Content longevity: NS2 has strong mod support and a persistent evolution system; Sanctum 2 has limited post‑launch content updates.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

NS2’s asymmetric evolution system and 32‑player battles create deeper strategic variety than Sanctum 2’s tower‑defense FPS.

Natural Selection 2

Platform availability

Sanctum 2 runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, and Xbox 360; NS2 is limited to PC (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Sanctum 2

Price & value

NS2 is $19.99 versus Sanctum 2 at $29.99, offering lower upfront cost.

Natural Selection 2

Multiplayer / co‑op

NS2 supports up to 32 players in competitive matches; Sanctum 2 only supports up to 4 co‑op players.

Natural Selection 2

Content & replayability

NS2’s persistent evolution system and strong community mod tools extend replayability beyond Sanctum 2’s limited post‑launch updates.

Natural Selection 2

Difficulty & accessibility

Sanctum 2’s co‑op and tower‑defense mechanics are generally easier for newcomers than NS2’s steep learning curve.

Sanctum 2

Graphics & performance

Both games are noted as having dated graphics compared to modern titles.

Tie

Choose Natural Selection 2 if…

Competitive players who enjoy deep, asymmetric FPS/RTS battles and want strong mod support.

Choose Sanctum 2 if…

Casual or co‑op gamers seeking a simpler tower‑defense FPS with broader console availability.

Common questions

Which game is cheaper?

Natural Selection 2 costs $19.99, while Sanctum 2 costs $29.99.

How many players can I play with?

Natural Selection 2 supports up to 32 players; Sanctum 2 supports up to 4 players in co‑op mode.

Is there console support?

Sanctum 2 is available on PS3 and Xbox 360; Natural Selection 2 is PC‑only (Windows, macOS, Linux).