Does anyone have any suggestions on how to play this game? Which things are more important to evolve first? Sensitivities and resolution? I prefer to play aliens thanks

First things first, you're going to die alot. NS is pretty hard to pick up compared to other FPS type games. Don't be disheartened. With marine, the key to survival is not to rambo off alone. Stick with others, follow waypoints. To kill stuff, is pretty hard at first unless you got some "aiming skillz" you can import in. With NS, movement is extremely important too, but dont worry about dodging fade swipes, and jetpacking around yet...

Second thing. There are lots of tw@ts on the servers, and I dont mean cheaters. Unfortunately NS is in decline, and basically most people on the servers are pretty good already. A side-effect of this is that some people have lost all concept of what it is to be a newbie. So expect insults, the occasional deliberate tk and more insults. Try to read what they are saying and learn from it. But if they start throwing a wobbly, then ignore them.

Also, try looking at the map (default m I believe but bind it to a mouse key tbh) as often as possible, a quick glance will normally tell you whats happening and where you need to be. Maps can be very disorientating at first, but knowing them is essential to understanding the gameplay.

If you like alien more. I'd suggesting going gorge first. Try not to build many Offense Chambers (OCs). Instead, try to build Resource Towers (RTs), hive chambers (Movement, Defence or Sensory ones) and even the next hive. As for other lifeforms, unless you want to become flamebait, I would avoid them unless:
- you are playing combat ("co_" maps)
- your team is clearly winning
- you have tonnes of resources
- youve been gorge for a couple of games in a row and others are lifeform whoring

Good luck! Have fun.

Thanks for taking the time to post that.

Am i right in saying that most of this applies to ns maps though?

I like to play co maps

CO maps are good places to get your fighting skills tuned up, but don't teach you anything about the strategy/teamwork/map control elements of regular NS. I suggest playing 50/50 to start off. Whatever you do, don't play CO exclusively or you will feel like a total nub all over again when you finally play classic.

As for combat strategy I suggest you read:

http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index....howtopic=101319

Myself and a few others have posted the build orders we use most commonly. Use them as a guideline, not a rule. If you need to get cloaking first to get a few points and you find it fun, do it. In combat, its kinda whatever you feel like doing goes. When you get into classic, you need to listen to your team.

I should note that to a beginner CO is probably more fun initially. But if you play it for a while it will likely start to seem repetitive and you will probably want to graduate to classic. Classic is frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of it its usually extremely rewarding, even when you lose.

Play marine and see why you get taken out and then try the tricks yourself.
Play alien and see why the marine gets you and do the same thing. Experiment and find your play style. Try to keep sens quite low, but high enough to track anything that moves, no matter the speed.

As Zor2 said, ignore the insults.

I want you to know some things:

About Marines:
As Zor2 said (again... ), follow waypoints and all orders of your commander, and stay with your mates. But being with your mates is not only for you to stay alive... Just watch what your mates do, to be more independant in the future. The commander is very busy, and maybe he doesn't see that you need medpack or RT. Don't hesitate to ask him them...
And of course, go commander only when you know what you do !

About Aliens:
Remember to tell your mates what you are doing in the game. For example, at the beginning of the game, say "saving for hive", "saving for fade", "RT", etc. If you are not really good, go gorge, and build chambers or RT. Ask your mates what chamber they want, but they certainly won't answer... So wait a little bit, and then build MC: generally it's the chamber the people prefers. Practise your lifeforms in CO, or when your team is winning -or when you have plenty of ressources-.

Remember...
Look at your minimap ! When structures are being attacked, just tell your mates "GO 'position', 'structure' being attacked !"
Don't hesitate to join a community, or a team which doesn't expect good skill. Your teammates would be able to answer your questions, help you, or just make you getting a name in NScommunity
Never be desperate, Natural Selection is so good !!!