Sanctum 2 vs Natural Selection 2
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
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.
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.
- 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
- 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
- Graphics are dated compared to modern titles
- Limited post‑launch content updates
- Steep learning curve for balancing building and shooting
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Limited matchmaking options can lead to long wait times
- Graphics are dated compared to newer titles
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Sanctum 2
View all →Alternatives to Natural Selection 2
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNatural 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.
Gameplay & fun factor
NS2’s asymmetric evolution system and 32‑player battles create deeper strategic variety than Sanctum 2’s tower‑defense FPS.
Platform availability
Sanctum 2 runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, and Xbox 360; NS2 is limited to PC (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Price & value
NS2 is $19.99 versus Sanctum 2 at $29.99, offering lower upfront cost.
Multiplayer / co‑op
NS2 supports up to 32 players in competitive matches; Sanctum 2 only supports up to 4 co‑op players.
Content & replayability
NS2’s persistent evolution system and strong community mod tools extend replayability beyond Sanctum 2’s limited post‑launch updates.
Difficulty & accessibility
Sanctum 2’s co‑op and tower‑defense mechanics are generally easier for newcomers than NS2’s steep learning curve.
Graphics & performance
Both games are noted as having dated graphics compared to modern titles.
Choose Sanctum 2 if…
Casual or co‑op gamers seeking a simpler tower‑defense FPS with broader console availability.
Choose Natural Selection 2 if…
Competitive players who enjoy deep, asymmetric FPS/RTS battles and want strong mod support.
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).


