Is Natural Selection 2 co-op?

Steam's store page doesn't flag a co-op category, but players tag Natural Selection 2 as co-op.

Does Natural Selection 2 have PvP?

Yes, Natural Selection 2 has player-versus-player modes.

Do we both need to own Natural Selection 2 to play together?

Yes. Natural Selection 2 is played online, so each player needs their own copy on their own Steam account (or PC Game Pass where it is offered). Steam Families can share a library, but two people cannot play the same shared game at the same time.

How many people play Natural Selection 2?

About 95 players were in-game when this page's data was last refreshed (2026-09-09).

Ready Up — what game do we play?Compare two Steam libraries →

Multiplayer games › Shooter › Co-op horde shooter

Is Natural Selection 2 multiplayer or co-op?

Yes — co-op and PvP. Natural Selection 2 is a co-op horde shooter game released in 2012, 85% positive on Steam (13,139 reviews), with 95 playing right now. $4.99 on Steam.

PvPShooter · Co-op horde shooter

A fast paced multiplayer shooter that pits aliens against humans in a strategic and action-packed struggle for survival!

How Natural Selection 2 plays with friends, according to Steam

Online co-op: Not listed on Steam
Local / split-screen co-op: Not listed on Steam
Online PvP: Yes
LAN play: Not listed on Steam
Mods: Steam Workshop

Steam's own category list for the game, as of 2026-09-09. "Not listed" means the store page does not claim that mode; community mods or Remote Play can still add it.

Steam tags: Multiplayer, Strategy, FPS, Team-Based, Action, Sci-fi, RTS, Aliens

Do you and a friend both own Natural Selection 2?

Ready Up compares two Steam libraries and shows every multiplayer game you both have — including whether Natural Selection 2 is one of them — then helps you pick tonight's game with a weighted roll or a bracket.

Or open the Steam store page.

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Tired of Natural Selection 2? The Swap tab finds the closest unowned games of the same type that are newer or rated higher.

Quick answers

Is Natural Selection 2 co-op?: Steam's store page doesn't flag a co-op category, but players tag Natural Selection 2 as co-op.
Does Natural Selection 2 have PvP?: Yes, Natural Selection 2 has player-versus-player modes.
Do we both need to own Natural Selection 2 to play together?: Yes. Natural Selection 2 is played online, so each player needs their own copy on their own Steam account (or PC Game Pass where it is offered). Steam Families can share a library, but two people cannot play the same shared game at the same time.
How many people play Natural Selection 2?: About 95 players were in-game when this page's data was last refreshed (2026-09-09).

Ready Up is a free tool: enter two Steam usernames and it lists the multiplayer games you both own, runs a bracket to pick one, and suggests new co-op games that fit how you both play. Ratings, tags and player counts from Steam and SteamSpy; page updated 2026-09-23. Powered by Steam — not affiliated with or endorsed by Valve Corporation or Microsoft. Ready Up is a Somebody Decide program. How the data works · Legal & privacy · All types · Game Pass