H-L Natural Selection Client

Following the preparatory release of the Natural Selection dedicated server (story), the version 2.0 client for the Natural Selection modification for Half-Life is now available. The Natural Selection Homepage offers a list of mirrors for the 119 MB update, along with word that: "The Kharaa presence has been detected. Repeat: the Kharaa presence has been detected. Somewhere onboard the aliens have already begun to breed. We have just received notice that a Frontiersmen response craft will be docking in moments. They represent the height of small squad technology, and the peak of modern military training -- but even so, the outcome cannot be predicted. We expect the fighting to be intense, and the casualties high."
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22 Replies. 2 pages. Viewing page 1.
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22.
 
Re: No subject
Aug 2, 2003, 10:26
22.
Re: No subject Aug 2, 2003, 10:26
Aug 2, 2003, 10:26
 
Actually, it somehow worked now - and I did (and do) have CD enabled.

And I love it

21.
 
No subject
Aug 1, 2003, 22:40
21.
No subject Aug 1, 2003, 22:40
Aug 1, 2003, 22:40
 
If the game disconnects on you, remember that most servers are running Cheating Death, and you need that or it'll cut you off.

-DSR

20.
 
Re: Download
Aug 1, 2003, 12:23
20.
Re: Download Aug 1, 2003, 12:23
Aug 1, 2003, 12:23
 
I'll try, though I always keep all my drivers and games current. I hate going through those motions, but this mod looks like it's worth it. From what I've seen, it looks like it has a huge amount of potential, especially for a free mod. Perhaps I'll finally have to get a headset.

Maybe you can strike a deal for making a commercial HL2 version of it

19.
 
Re: Download
Aug 1, 2003, 12:12
19.
Re: Download Aug 1, 2003, 12:12
Aug 1, 2003, 12:12
 
Thanks for the great review speechrut. I don't know if you follow the forums or the web site, but if you actually perceived all that from the game, then we're truly flattered. You hit every one of our goal-nails on the head.

Xeno, I haven't heard of anyone having that problem, so I'm thinking it might be something on your machine. Just do the usual (updating video and sound drivers, latest Half-life, re-install NS, if all else fails, re-install Half-life, rinse, repeat). I haven't seen or heard of anything like this, so I think you should be able to get it working soon.

18.
 
Re: Download
Aug 1, 2003, 11:44
18.
Re: Download Aug 1, 2003, 11:44
Aug 1, 2003, 11:44
 
Thanks for the review, speechrut.

The game sounds amazing, and it looks great - when I start a local game on my own. However, it crashes every time I try to join a server. The home page doesn't seem to have any information on it right now due to their focus on distributing their mod. Is there any place I can get some troubleshooting help?

The game always hangs when it's trying to connect to the server.

Thanks.

17.
 
Re: Download
Aug 1, 2003, 04:20
17.
Re: Download Aug 1, 2003, 04:20
Aug 1, 2003, 04:20
 
My review: looks VERY good at this stage, with only a few minor issues to be worked out. If you don't know the game, it is basically about working RTS elements into a FPS environment. But it works VERY differently for each team: the marines have a commander who define squads, gives orders, decides the course of research, places structures, etc. The aliens are more organically organized: they can evolve to the builder class (the gorges) but have less need of team-wide coordination: their abilities naturally allow them to help each other without explicit orders. The result is a game which forces the teams to think about strategy: to plan their way through a map, controlling resources and other key areas, pushing forward and being driven back. Unlike simple CTF games or simple "objective" maps, it really feels like a progression of events: every battle means something. It's also suspenseful: lots of quiet creepy moments of transit that are suddenly punctuated with deadly ambushes. It's pretty intensive for a HL mod: lots of entities means you need a solid computer as well as a good net connection (56K doesn't quite cut it)

2.0 really fixes most of the major problems with previous versions. In 1.04, only one of the three alien "abilities" chambers got any initial use: the defense chamber. Now all three chambers provide abilities that are truly worth having. If anything, the new sensory chamber, which can cloak aliens and their structures (a fantastic looking effect, fading in and out as needed), is looking to be the new favorite.

The biggest change is that aliens can evolve to any creature without having to control hives (there are 3 on every map, and the aliens start with only one): it is the aliens attack powers that vary with the hives. Fades no longer have any ranged weapons until 3rd hive: but their blink ability is scary and very effective. Skulks look great in the way they rotate to match walls, flipping around crazily as they try to bite off people's heads. Onos appear much more often without it meaning that the marines are totally doomed. But it is truly scary to see a HUGE Onos decloak right in front of you, then devour you whole (after which you get digested, screaming at your fellow marines to kill the Onos and save you).

The marines haven't been changed as much, though the changes to the alien side makes them have to adapt their tactics. They now have eletrified structures, meaning that key elements of the marine base can be fully secured from skulks. HMGs are still uber powerful: but not as much against alien structures, meaning that the GL is much more prominent.

The marines also have an awesome new minimap in both always on upper corner form as well as a full map toggle mode. This allows new players to get some sense of the map, as well as seeing where their fellow marines and waypoints are located.

Overall, things are very good: it's a much faster game without ruining the element of suspense and "story," and many of the issues that led to boring stalemates in 1.04 are resolved. So far, the major problem really seems to be that the aliens are too powerful, and the comms seem overwhelmed with all the new things they have to keep track of (many more things need to be upgraded, and they have many more res to worry about spending properly, leaving little time to think without it piling up pointlessly). But perhaps that'll change as the marines learn their new abilities and teamwork options.

One last issue: Voice comms are very important: they really make or break some teams. It's certainly a must for any good marine comm, and it adds great atmosphere to things as well, like when a chattering marine down the hall from you sudddenly has his mike cut off and you hear his dying scream...

16.
 
Download
Aug 1, 2003, 00:53
16.
Download Aug 1, 2003, 00:53
Aug 1, 2003, 00:53
 
It cruised for me on FP @ 130k. Good Times to be had, although the scout aliens are waaay too evil with that bite now.

-DSR

15.
 
Re: Fun Times
Aug 1, 2003, 00:21
15.
Re: Fun Times Aug 1, 2003, 00:21
Aug 1, 2003, 00:21
 
145k/s on bit torrent...



Anyhow I finally got HL to reinstall, the cd is scratched to hell and back so its taken about 3 months to get a lucky install. So can anyone give a paragraph or less decription of NS? I just know its supposed to be good...

"I'm too much of a narcisist to really hate stupid people."
14.
 
Re: Well?
Aug 1, 2003, 00:04
14.
Re: Well? Aug 1, 2003, 00:04
Aug 1, 2003, 00:04
 
It's great... this is by far the best HL mod for teamplayers. Although I have to say the game time has been sped up in general you still sometimes get those 1 hours games.

13.
 
Well?
Jul 31, 2003, 23:07
13.
Well? Jul 31, 2003, 23:07
Jul 31, 2003, 23:07
 

Can anyone tellme how it is??
I only have the Steam version of HL and I havent figured out how to get mods in steam version working...I hope steam releases it for their service!!

This comment was edited on Jul 31, 23:08.
12.
 
Re: Fun Times
Jul 31, 2003, 21:39
12.
Re: Fun Times Jul 31, 2003, 21:39
Jul 31, 2003, 21:39
 
i've got that fileplanet subscriber service and it took a friggen lifetime to get this. cruising at 40k/second isn't what i was expecting from a pay service. it used to get 150k or higher.. it's very quickly gone down in speed over the last few months while other services have stayed fast. blah.

11.
 
Fun Times
Jul 31, 2003, 21:22
11.
Fun Times Jul 31, 2003, 21:22
Jul 31, 2003, 21:22
 
God Bless Fileplanet Subscriber Service

-DSR <--I WANT IT NOW!!!

10.
 
PTC is a good client too
Jul 31, 2003, 20:05
10.
PTC is a good client too Jul 31, 2003, 20:05
Jul 31, 2003, 20:05
 
PTC is a good bit torrent client, best one I think. Almost better than the "experimental" one.

9.
 
another mirror
Jul 31, 2003, 19:56
9.
another mirror Jul 31, 2003, 19:56
Jul 31, 2003, 19:56
8.
 
Re: WOOT!!
Jul 31, 2003, 18:43
8.
Re: WOOT!! Jul 31, 2003, 18:43
Jul 31, 2003, 18:43
 
7.
 
Re: WOOT!!
Jul 31, 2003, 18:37
7.
Re: WOOT!! Jul 31, 2003, 18:37
Jul 31, 2003, 18:37
 
Praised be the torrent.

6.
 
Re: WOOT!!
Jul 31, 2003, 18:34
6.
Re: WOOT!! Jul 31, 2003, 18:34
Jul 31, 2003, 18:34
 
You dont have the client?

http://ei.kefro.st/projects/btclient/

5.
 
Re: WOOT!!
Jul 31, 2003, 18:29
5.
Re: WOOT!! Jul 31, 2003, 18:29
Jul 31, 2003, 18:29
 
=( I don't have the torrent.

~Halo

4.
 
Re: WOOT!!
Jul 31, 2003, 18:26
4.
Re: WOOT!! Jul 31, 2003, 18:26
Jul 31, 2003, 18:26
3.
 
More mirrors!!
Jul 31, 2003, 18:21
Ant
 
3.
More mirrors!! Jul 31, 2003, 18:21
Jul 31, 2003, 18:21
 Ant
 
We need more! I can't get a download started. [pouts]

Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
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22 Replies. 2 pages. Viewing page 1.
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