When comparing Natural Selection 2 vs Orcs Must Die! Unchained, the Slant community recommends Natural Selection 2 for most people. In the question“What are the best niche online multiplayer games with active communities?” Natural Selection 2 is ranked 1st while Orcs Must Die! Unchained is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Natural Selection 2 is:
Natural Selection 2 has full Linux support.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Linux support
Natural Selection 2 has full Linux support.
Pro Integrates RTS elements on top of a shooter
The game has two completely different factions - the humans and an alien race called Kharaa. One player in each team can become a Commander, who then issues orders, RTS-style.
Pro The 2 sides have vastly different strategy and playstyles
Pro In-depth choice of equipment
There is a wide range of weapons for each side that allows for plenty of choice for the player.
Pro Teamwork is essential
To really advance and do well in the game teamwork is essential.
Pro Kharaa can evolve into 5, highly distinct classes
There are 5 different classes that the Kharaa can evolve into.
Pro Developed to be heavily modifiable
By utilizing LUA files the game is highly moddable.
Pro Community driven development
From the very beginning NS2 has had a very passionate community - they've contributed maps, designs and even core features (such as the Spectator Mode). And since build 265, the game's development has been handed off completely to a 14-man community development team (with oversight from UWE).
Pro Dynamic environments
During play levels will change and react, making for dynamic levels and environments.
Pro A great twist on the tower defense genre
Most tower defense games follow the same formula – you build a bunch of towers and watch enemies slowly get slaughtered by them. The Orcs Must Die franchise steps away from this by allowing you to jump into action yourself. You can choose one of the many heroes and just slash, shoot, and cast spells at the incoming enemies in a third person view. This creates a really fun experience with hardly any downtime at all.
Pro Really fun to plan out trap layouts
This game is all about slaying hordes of orcs and other demihumans. To do that you’ll have to set up many traps, including spike traps, tar pits, massive meat grinders, and many others. Your success depends on how well you plan out the layouts, so it feels really satisfying when you make a great death trap.
Pro Quite funny
It's very surprising how lighthearted it feels despite all the blood and death in it. From its cartoony and colorful designs to heroes cracking jokes in the heat of combat and the nonsense orcs spout at you, this game clearly doesn't take itself too seriously. OMDU somehow makes orcs getting dismembered feel funny.
Cons
Con Learning curve
The learning curve for Natural Selection 2 feels unapproachable at times.
Con Really long loading
10 minute loading times to join matches is way too long to wait.
Con Poorly balanced singleplayer
OMDU is primarily designed as a multiplayer game, so you'll have some difficulty when playing alone, especially when just starting out. This is mostly because the enemies have a lot of health, meaning your damage might be too low to take them out on time. There’s also the issue of some levels being quite big, so you might not be able to cover all the paths easily. OMDU is certainly playable on singleplayer but only if you’re up for the challenge.