Fans of FPS games will likely point toCounter-Strikeas one of their firsts. This title, which initially began as aHalf-Lifemod, has sprung into a series that gamers still love today. Twenty-four years after its release,Counter-Strikeenjoys mainstream popularity, thanks toCounter-Strike: Global Offensive(CS: GO), a multiplayer FPS.
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CS: GO’s mainstream attention is owed to its dedicated user-base and replay value. As of April 2020, the game housed 857,000 players, a large portion of which enjoy the title for its competitive multiplayer aspect. However, fans might wonder - just how different is CS: GO today compared to the first versions of Counter-Strike?
10New: Competitive Play Separates Wolves From The Prey
CS: GOintroduced ranked play to Counter-Strike players, and it’s this game mode that setCS: GOapart from its previous iterations. Players can enjoy endless bouts of Team Deathmatches from oldCounter-Strikeversions. However,CS: GOadded player ranks to raise the stakes for FPS fans and enthusiasts.
Ranked play features 18 ranks, which new players can reach through casual matches. They first start play ranked as Private Rank 2. Players then have to fight their way to be a part of the Global Elite. These ranks don’t necessarily define a player’s “expertise” as an FPS player, but they do indicate their level of skill when it comes to playingCS: GO.
9Same: Team Selection Remains Simple
CS: GOmostly retains the same theme as its classic counterpart, which focuses on two factions fighting each other.Counter-Strikematches offer two playable factions to players - the Counter-Terrorists and the Terrorists. Faction choice affects gameplay mode objectives, as well as the available weapons and accessories that players can purchase in Buy Menu.
Eagle-eyed players will notice how the Terrorist faction offers cheaper and more powerful weapons to players, while Counter-Terrorists providebetter tactical options. These differences might be subtle, but the game uses this system to force players into constantly adjusting their playstyle in every match.
8New: Matchmaking Has Never Been This Easy
Others might argue a multiplayer FPS game is only just as good as its matchmaking. This perspective might explain whyCS: GOremains quite a popular title amongst FPS fans. Unlike previousCounter-Strikeversions,CS: GOtaps into Valve’s capabilities of connecting players worldwide. This networking process allows Valve (and thereforeCS: GO) to connect interested players in matches.
Despite imperfections with the game’s matchmaking system, players can still expect to get matched with actualCounter-Strikefans in the game. This matchmaking system is a godsend compared to previousCounter-Strikeiterations. Matches made from within olderCounter-Strikeentries generally pair players of different playstyles and backgrounds. Others have to rely on IRC and “private” chat groups to find skilled players for challenging matches. Thanks toCS: GO’s matchmaking system, playing exciting games has become more accessible.
7Same: The Buy Menu Still Needs Quick Fingers
A lot of FPS fans get quick fingers thanks toCounter-Strike. Players acquire these “finger skills” not just from maneuvering the battlefield, but also from the intuitive Buy Menu that’s becomeCounter-Strikestaple ever since it’s released. The Buy Menu allows players to spend in-match credits to purchase new weapons and armaments to aid them in the match. Thanks to this feature, players continuously get to experiment with playstyles - and this might explain whyCounter-Strikehas become appealing to a lot of fans.
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CS: GOretains the classic Buy Menu, this time making weapon types and accessories more recognizable and more accessible. Players can see hotkeys on all items, forcing them to memorize their favorite combinations quickly or get left behind on a match.
6New: Graphics Completely Transform The Game
One can’t deny just how impressive gameplay feels, thanks to the Source engine. Crisp sounds make reloading intense, and more accurate physics make angles matter more for projectiles such as grenades. WhileCS: GOlifted much of its material from classicCounter-Strikecontent, the game applying a new graphical take on these assets has been such a fresh sight for veterans and a delight for newcomers.
FPS fans might sayCS: GO’s graphics aren’t “on par” with more recent FPS titles, butCounter-Strike’s graphics retain that lightweight feel that makes combat seem straight out of explosive action titles.
5Same: Dust II And Other Maps Remain Just As Exciting
Gamers get modernized fun when classic assets get that much-needed graphical spin.Counter-Strikeshows players that classics never die when Dust II feels just as exciting due toCS: GOand the Source engine. Veterans of the game will likely get a nostalgia trip whenever they play in Dust II, as thegame mapdidn’t change sinceCounter-Strike1.6. Moreover, fans might sayCS: GO’s faithfulness to original Counter-Strike material makes it such an appealing game to fans and FPS enthusiasts.
As such, older veterans will notice thatCS: GOretains much of the original maps from the game. Aside from mainstays, such as the Buy Menu, this feature makesCS: GOfeel like “same old Counter-Strike” with updated graphics for modern users.
4New: Ranked Matches Adds A Lot More Value To Weapon Stats
Casual FPS players typically won’t give that much value to weapon stats. After all, a weapon should only matter if it works with a playstyle, right? In any game, players that pay extra attention to numbers get considered as extra nerdy. However, being successful inCS: GO’s ranked play demands an in-depth understanding of weapon mechanics in the game. Other players might consider this overkill, butCS: GOfans enjoy the thrill this provides.
Weapons inCS: GOwork similarly to their older counterparts, so fans of the earlier series will likely be familiar with how some of the guns work inCS: GOmatches. For ranked play and eSports, players pay attention to other weapon properties besides ammunition, rate of fire, and recoil. These include hitscan (the in-game calculation of hits), aimpunch (reflex when certain body parts get hit), or tagging (slowing down after being hit).
3Same: Familiar Weapons Make Playstyles Flexible
Thanks to the accessibility of the Buy Menu, players ofCS: GOhave easy access to a slate of 34 weapons across different varieties. These include pistols, shotguns, SMGs, rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns, and knives. While most FPS titles will have similar weapon variants,CS: GOretained all of its franchise staples since the 1996 release. Moreover, the Source engine upgrade has given these weapons a “heavier” feel, adding a lot of realism to the game.
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Of course, players still debate whether these graphical and physics updates have made the game better or worse from a gamer’s perspective. However, featuring this classic roster of weapons did wonders for both newcomers and old players. For the former, having these familiar weapons fromother FPS titlescan makeCS: GOmore accessible. Meanwhile, the latter will find it easier to test their playstyles as they’re using the same weapons, albeit modernized.
2New: Characters And Weapons Become Personal
CS: GOplayers today probably love the fact that they’re not just free to customize how their characters look, but also the appearances of their weapons. After all, it feels terrific landing those kills with that much-desired weapon skin. Moreover, older players love how this customization system takes its cues fromCounter-Strike’s much-beloved modding community.
Unlike mods,CS: GOmakes its customization system accessible and easy-to-use. Players can easily purchase clothing and accessories to give their characters and weapons a unique look. This option means thatCounter-Strikemay consist of short matches, but the experience becomes personal if players know they tinkered with their characters' looks.
1Same: Modders Still Make Excellent Content
Fans of old-schoolCounter-Strikewill remember unique mods that customize a lot of gameplay and appearance options in the game. Other more creative-minded modders may have “converted” famous landmarks and locations intoCounter-Strikemaps. Some with a penchant for crazy may have “transformed” classic weapons into wackier versions. Combining these can have players have both exciting and memorable matches.
For instance, players can opt for a good Team Deathmatch in world-famous locations, instead of settling for Dust II. Moreover, fans will delight in the fact thatCounter-Strike’s modding community is still alive today! Players can head toModDBto see new weapon designs and maps from both new and old modders.
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