Let's show them who we are.


After having been under development for over a decade, Counter Strike: Global Offensive provides a platform for competition like no other. With grenades and an extensive ensemble of weaponry, the game makes it quite easy for a player to immerse themselves in ruthless, tactical and competitive play. After all, that’s what Counter-Strike is in a nutshell: a tactical multiplayer first person shooter.


Counter-Strike has a simple premise; minutes to learn but a lifetime to master. There are two teams. One team is known as the terrorists, and the other as the counter-terrorists. The terrorists have two main objectives. One is to plant their bomb in one of two bombsites, defend it from defusal, and ensure that the bomb detonates. Their secondary objective is to eliminate all opposing players. If either objective is achieved, they win the round. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that Counter-Strike is played in rounds, which can be thought of as points. The best of 30 rounds wins the game. Now, back to the counter-terrorists. Counter-terrorists can also win rounds by eliminating all opposing players; although their primary goal is to defend the bombsites and retake a bombsite when captured. They do this to ensure that the bomb is not planted, yet when it is, their main objective is then to defuse the bomb as fast as possible. Both teams are put under various time strains. The terrorists having to plant before 2 minutes pass, and the counter-terrorists having 45 seconds to defuse once the bomb has been planted.

Eliminating and protecting bombsites isn’t easy with your bare fists. As was mentioned, Counter-Strike is a first person shooter, with a widespread repertoire of guns to prove it. At the beginning of the round, teams (5 versus 5) have to purchase these guns with money earned from eliminating other players and winning rounds. (Don’t worry, you still get some money for losing.) This is the second element and level to the game: managing money along with managing your team's economy. Counter-Strike is just as much about hitting headshots as it is about working with numbers. It’s a tactical first person shooter for a reason.

Yet, don't be fooled by the simplicity of the premise. There's always something to learn.


Along with memorizing the common vocabulary of the game -- called “call-outs” -- and mastering distinct spray patterns, new players will have a lot to learn. Consider this your warning. They have to learn the characteristics and nuisances of each firearm. They have to learn how to dance around grenades as well as deal damage with them. They have to learn how to manage an economy or negotiate with differing, conflicting personas (sometimes both at the same time!). There’s always some skill to work on, even for me, a thousand hours in. And that in essence, is the strength of Counter-Strike. The capacity for skill. However, this strength is also Counter-Strike's downfall. Counter-Strike is unforgiving in it’s bombardment of new players with new information. The same reason why Counter-Strike is a such great game is also why it’s so unforgiving to new-comers: its capacity for skill.

Intimidated? No worries! There are more gamemodes for the lighter hearted, as well as an impressive, bubbling community. With a casual gamemode to counter Counter-Strike’s natural competitive nature, comes a host of other ways to hone your skills: Arms Race, Deathmatch and Demolition. While all have their own valuable qualities, they are nothing compared to the favored gamemode: Competitive. Competitive being the most serious gamemode, having direct impact on your rank. Your rank being a rough interpretation of your skill, which you rank up and derank down depending on your performance. With there being 18 ranks, there’s always something to work towards. And as you hone your skills, you can rise the ladder of ranks, gaining the respect of your fellow comrades.

So far I’ve been highlighting how Counter-Strike is a skill-based game with an intimidating learning curve for new-comers. While all of that is true, it’s also important to remember Counter-Strike is also a team-based game, involving an unprecedented amount of coordination and communication. You are playing alongside people. You are a team. Steam may ask for $15 to purchase this game, but there are more expenses. You have to have a decent microphone in order to give critical information to your teammates about the whereabouts of your opponents. You need to be able to converse about strategy with strangers. The game asks for good communication just as much as it asks for good aim. Never let ego tell you otherwise. This is what makes Counter-Strike revolutionary in its premise. Never before has a video game had the platform for this amount of communication and coordination to be exchanged. CS teaches good aim just as much as it teaches how to negotiate with conflicting personalities.

Counter-Strike’s appeal doesn’t stop in the client. The community has branched off in a number of ways. Coming back to Counter-Strike’s capacity for skill, there is a professional scene for the serious CS players. You can spectate them to learn from the best, or bet on them to show you know who’s best. You win virtual cosmetic gun “skins” in return. Ahh yes, Counter-Strike has firearm cosmetics. Some players focus on collecting an extensive repertoire of weapon finishes (valued with real money), rather than focus on the competitive aspect. There are rare weapon finishes, as well as common ones. All of which are found in cases which you unlock with keys, priced at $2.50. Just another way Counter-Strike engages a whole other community of players.


Before you buy the game (which you should nonetheless), I have to equip you with a few concerns. Due to the extensive nature of Counter-Strike’s community, there are toxic players in the mix. Being anonymous doesn’t bring out the best in human nature as we all know. The toxic and the trolls are the same players who wish to be heard and felt more than anyone. But don’t let these players deter you from purchasing an amazing experience. I assure you the toxic players are only a fraction of the community. At times it can feel they are much more than a fraction, depending on your temperament. But that’s just another skill to hone in Counter-Strike: keeping cool and collected. I’d argue there is a quiet majority of players who have respectable values and morals, but who aren’t willing to tamper with toxic player's twisted ego. They just tend to keep quiet. Don’t let a personal anecdote ruin the how much Counter-Strike GO has to offer.

Toxicity isn’t the only concern you should carry unfortunately. Again, because Counter-Strike is a skill-based game, hackers have been known to be prevalent. In recent events Valve has banished a lot of offenders, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t lurking and toggling. Just remember when you ‘accept’ to a game, you are accepting to any possible hackers or toxic players that come with it. But again, don't let these concerns ruin an otherwise enjoyable game.


Having consistently played this game on daily basis for a year now, I could keep writing till my fingers bruised themselves bloody. But the fact of the matter is this. $15 is a miniscule amount to pay for a game that offers this level of competition, capacity of skill, team-based coordination and well, fun. Don't wait to buy one of the best games on Steam for your buck.

Brilliant and beautifully executed. 10/10.

[h1] "Bingo bango bongo, bish bash bosh!" [/h1] Let's show them who we are. [h1] [b] Introduction [/b] [/h1] After having been under development for over a decade, Counter Strike: Global Offensive provides a platform for competition like no other. With grenades and an extensive ensemble of weaponry, the game makes it quite easy for a player to immerse themselves in ruthless, tactical and competitive play. After all, that’s what Counter-Strike is in a nutshell: a tactical multiplayer first person shooter. [h1] [b] Basic Premise [/b] [/h1] Counter-Strike has a simple premise; minutes to learn but a lifetime to master. There are two teams. One team is known as the terrorists, and the other as the counter-terrorists. The terrorists have two main objectives. One is to plant their bomb in one of two bombsites, defend it from defusal, and ensure that the bomb detonates. Their secondary objective is to eliminate all opposing players. If either objective is achieved, they win the round. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that Counter-Strike is played in rounds, which can be thought of as points. The best of 30 rounds wins the game. Now, back to the counter-terrorists. Counter-terrorists can also win rounds by eliminating all opposing players; although their primary goal is to defend the bombsites and retake a bombsite when captured. They do this to ensure that the bomb is not planted, yet when it is, their main objective is then to defuse the bomb as fast as possible. Both teams are put under various time strains. The terrorists having to plant before 2 minutes pass, and the counter-terrorists having 45 seconds to defuse once the bomb has been planted. Eliminating and protecting bombsites isn’t easy with your bare fists. As was mentioned, Counter-Strike is a first person shooter, with a widespread repertoire of guns to prove it. At the beginning of the round, teams (5 versus 5) have to purchase these guns with money earned from eliminating other players and winning rounds. (Don’t worry, you still get some money for losing.) This is the second element and level to the game: managing money along with managing your team's economy. Counter-Strike is just as much about hitting headshots as it is about working with numbers. It’s a tactical first person shooter for a reason. Yet, don't be fooled by the simplicity of the premise. There's always something to learn. [h1] [b] Bulk of Review [/b] [/h1] Along with memorizing the common vocabulary of the game -- called “call-outs” -- and mastering distinct spray patterns, new players will have a lot to learn. Consider this your warning. They have to learn the characteristics and nuisances of each firearm. They have to learn how to dance around grenades as well as deal damage with them. They have to learn how to manage an economy or negotiate with differing, conflicting personas (sometimes both at the same time!). There’s always some skill to work on, even for me, a thousand hours in. And that in essence, is the strength of Counter-Strike. The capacity for skill. However, this strength is also Counter-Strike's downfall. Counter-Strike is unforgiving in it’s bombardment of new players with new information. The same reason why Counter-Strike is a such great game is also why it’s so unforgiving to new-comers: its capacity for skill. Intimidated? No worries! There are more gamemodes for the lighter hearted, as well as an impressive, bubbling community. With a casual gamemode to counter Counter-Strike’s natural competitive nature, comes a host of other ways to hone your skills: Arms Race, Deathmatch and Demolition. While all have their own valuable qualities, they are nothing compared to the favored gamemode: Competitive. Competitive being the most serious gamemode, having direct impact on your rank. Your rank being a rough interpretation of your skill, which you rank up and derank down depending on your performance. With there being 18 ranks, there’s always something to work towards. And as you hone your skills, you can rise the ladder of ranks, gaining the respect of your fellow comrades. So far I’ve been highlighting how Counter-Strike is a skill-based game with an intimidating learning curve for new-comers. While all of that is true, it’s also important to remember Counter-Strike is also a team-based game, involving an unprecedented amount of coordination and communication. You are playing alongside people. You are a team. Steam may ask for $15 to purchase this game, but there are more expenses. You have to have a decent microphone in order to give critical information to your teammates about the whereabouts of your opponents. You need to be able to converse about strategy with strangers. The game asks for good communication just as much as it asks for good aim. Never let ego tell you otherwise. This is what makes Counter-Strike revolutionary in its premise. Never before has a video game had the platform for this amount of communication and coordination to be exchanged. CS teaches good aim just as much as it teaches how to negotiate with conflicting personalities. Counter-Strike’s appeal doesn’t stop in the client. The community has branched off in a number of ways. Coming back to Counter-Strike’s capacity for skill, there is a professional scene for the serious CS players. You can spectate them to learn from the best, or bet on them to show you know who’s best. You win virtual cosmetic gun “skins” in return. Ahh yes, Counter-Strike has firearm cosmetics. Some players focus on collecting an extensive repertoire of weapon finishes (valued with real money), rather than focus on the competitive aspect. There are rare weapon finishes, as well as common ones. All of which are found in cases which you unlock with keys, priced at $2.50. Just another way Counter-Strike engages a whole other community of players. [h1] [b] Some Concerns [/b] [/h1] Before you buy the game (which you should nonetheless), I have to equip you with a few concerns. Due to the extensive nature of Counter-Strike’s community, there are toxic players in the mix. Being anonymous doesn’t bring out the best in human nature as we all know. The toxic and the trolls are the same players who wish to be heard and felt more than anyone. But don’t let these players deter you from purchasing an amazing experience. I assure you the toxic players are only a fraction of the community. At times it can feel they are much more than a fraction, depending on your temperament. But that’s just another skill to hone in Counter-Strike: keeping cool and collected. I’d argue there is a quiet majority of players who have respectable values and morals, but who aren’t willing to tamper with toxic player's twisted ego. They just tend to keep quiet. Don’t let a personal anecdote ruin the how much Counter-Strike GO has to offer. Toxicity isn’t the only concern you should carry unfortunately. Again, because Counter-Strike is a skill-based game, hackers have been known to be prevalent. In recent events Valve has banished a lot of offenders, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t lurking and toggling. Just remember when you ‘accept’ to a game, you are accepting to any possible hackers or toxic players that come with it. But again, don't let these concerns ruin an otherwise enjoyable game. [h1] [b] Conclusion [/b] [/h1] Having consistently played this game on daily basis for a year now, I could keep writing till my fingers bruised themselves bloody. But the fact of the matter is this. $15 is a miniscule amount to pay for a game that offers this level of competition, capacity of skill, team-based coordination and well, fun. Don't wait to buy one of the best games on Steam for your buck. [b] Brilliant and beautifully executed. [/b] [i] 10/10. [/i]