Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Review

GameSpotScore8.5great
Metacritic Score8338 reviews
User Score7.8401 votes
Your Score- -
hover & click to rate
- 1
- 1.5
- 2
- 2.5
- 3
- 3.5
- 4
- 4.5
- 5
- 5.5
- 6
- 6.5
- 7
- 7.5
- 8
- 8.5
- 9
- 9.5
- 10

Game Emblems

The Good

Junior_AIN
Still hardcore as hell.
Read the Review
User Score: 9.0 superb
sarkaos
The franchise that started multiplayer FPS stays true to the classic and is now even more polished!
Read the Review
User Score: 9.5 superb

Hot Forum Topics

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Review »

Posted by Eric Neigher

on August 31, 2012 6:24PM PDT

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a solid update to a classic shooter.

The Good

The intense, skill-based combat of Counter-Strike is as enthralling as ever
Low price
New modes put a clever spin on classic Counter-Strike.

More update than honest-to-goodness sequel, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive maintains much of what made the original Counter-Strike (and Counter-Strike: Source) so fantastic, while adding a couple of new game modes, both of which were based on user-made mods to the original game. In this update, Counter-Strike continues to enjoy the enthralling gameplay and near-perfect balancing that took it from a cult hit in college dorm rooms to one of the seminal games in the multiplayer first-person shooter genre.

CS:GO features new maps for the new game types. This Arms Race map is more suited to individual deathmatch than the usual CS level.

In case you're unfamiliar, Counter-Strike is an entirely multiplayer experience. You can play offline against AI bots, but these are still merely simulating what it's like to play online, rather than really giving you a single-player game. The good news is that this is as good as online team-based shooters get. In the traditional game mode, there are two types of matches and two tiers of play. Casual level is for newer players and removes aspects like friendly fire and the need to purchase armor and ancillary items each round (more on that in a second). Ranked level is the original style of CS, with all the "realism" settings enabled, but it also features a comprehensive skill-based ranking system to try to balance teams and place good players with other good players.

Both of these tiers feature several maps--original CS maps like de_dust are reproduced here and still going strong, mixed in with entirely new maps--and each map is tied to one of two game types. In Defusal, one team (the Terrorists) must plant a bomb at a critical site and defend it until it explodes, while the other team (the Counter-Terrorists) must try to either prevent them from planting it or defuse it before it goes off. The other game type, Hostage Rescue, turns the tables. Here, the Terrorists have taken a group of AI hostages that they must protect until time runs out, while the CTs must assault their location and free the hostages.

In Arms Race, killing someone with a knife gives you a better weapon and knocks your victim back to a worse one.

One important facet to both of these game modes is that there are multiple short rounds in a match, and after each round you must purchase weapons, armor, grenades, and other equipment using money you earn for killing enemies, winning the round, or doing other important tasks. Thus, as games go on, winning teams tend to have better equipment, while losing teams tend to be worse off. The disadvantage is never insurmountable, but it does give teams an incentive to work, well, as a team. In serious matches, communication and planning are key, because players who die cannot respawn until after a round is over and cannot communicate with living team members.

The traditional CS modes are excellently balanced. Games are fast-paced without being unmanageable, skill is rewarded in both the planning and outfitting stages as well as in battle, and good teamwork typically beats individual skills. Pacing is fantastic, too, because you will generally die at least a few times, giving you time to observe other players' work, review your own mistakes, and plan for the next round during the downtime. Heck, even watching other players go at it can be entertaining in and of itself, as you shout at them to do this or not do that, knowing full well they can't hear you.

173 comments

Newest | Oldest

Lyon111

I know counter striker for many, many years, but never liked it. The problem is that it has no singleplayer campaign, and the multiplayer is onl engaging if all players are god enough, which is almost impossible on-line. However, the maps are close to ridiculous in terms of creativity. I never liked multiplayer. I mean, going from one point to the other killing almost everyone you find is not a good experience for me, for I learn nothing, and waist time of my life that I could be using to play an engaging singleplayer campaign, like Actiivision knows all too well with COD MW.

ThePotatoGiant

@Lyon111

Counter-Strike does have a Singleplayer campaign which is Counter-Strike Condition Zero. But that isn't really the MEAT in the series. The real thing is its multiplayer. You probably don't enjoy the game because you are used to playing games like Call of Duty. Counter-Strike is more focused on playing as a TEAM. Otherwise, you won't enjoy the game because Counter-strike is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay different from Call of Duty.

Lyon111

@ThePotatoGiant @Lyon111

I have been playing FPS games for years, so I know all about them, including CS. I do not like CS because it is really boring to say the least. I mean, do you really consider it a good game to walk from one place to the other, in small maps and with very low creativity towards action and design etc, just to kill? The best FPS games are halo, crysis, call of duty games, yes, planetside, and very few others. When CS was released, there were not much choice, but now there is a lot, which clearly humiliate CS in every way. I know many like CS, but I do not, and I also hate multi-player games; going around killing each other or the other team is extremely boring after a short while, very boring.

super94you

does anyone knows how to download this game here for free?

dreamerdonkey

1 Like

Why people still mixed it up with BF and COD:MW, I don't understand. May be they think that all of these game are FPS. But they are missing the point. CS is totally different genre. It first person that's right but its shooting dynamics and playing style are completely different. The people like this game because its classic background and they are still keeping it. And yes its really cheap and also hard that will be the reason for why new player hates it too much.

drgribb

I'd take this over that COD Black Ops whatever stuff any day. Still haven't bought a "modern shooter" and I don't plan to any time soon.

subhumanmoron

5 Like

The fact that CS:GO doesn't want to conform to modern-day shooter features is part of its appeal to the CS community. It provides more challenge not to have sprints or iron sights, and adds a more realistic feeling of a need to survive without the constant spawning in the middle of a round except for the new game mode. I'm disappointed that there are people here who just bark bullshit and compare this to BF and MW without even trying to appreciate it for what it is. There's a reason this franchise is still alive, and that's because of its respectable persistence at the classic mechanics and balance and its demand for player strategy and intelligence. And at 15 bucks on Steam? Jesus, I'd rather have this than spend 50 to 60 on a "new" MW clone every single year.

danetz88

@subhumanmoron how can it add a more realistic feeling is the game isn't realistic in any way, i was a massive cs player, played more than 3-4000 hours since the game started, but stopped playing about 2 years ago, it's just that the franchise has become a little stale, not changing anything in 12-13 years just made me stop, i bought cs-go, didn't impress me, played like 20 hours since i got it on the first day it came out. I moved to co-op shooters, much more fun and at least they didn't get the elitist yet. That's the other downside too much people spending hours in front of walls just to learn the way guns recoil.

ThePotatoGiant

@danetz88 @subhumanmoron

The reason why they didn't change some of the gameplay is to keep it original. The gameplay of Counter-Strike is way better than any other multiplayer game. Changing it too much would disappoint fans. Change it to a CoD like gameplay, I'll be damn pissed off myself.

danetz88

@ThePotatoGiant @danetz88 @subhumanmoron

I didnt't mean cod, i hate cod, i was refering to coop shooters like killing floor and dino beatdown, as for multiplayer games i play bf bad company 2 and red orchestra 2, and i have plans to buy arma 2 for day z mod and arma 3 because it looked awesome. as for cs-go it already changed alot, deagle is crap ak has far less recoil, p90 and negev are beasts, the awm part of the game is just like cod now, quick snipping is at home

KAZA5789

good

clsid

I played it for free in a 2-day trial from Steam. As many previous posters stated, this game belongs to the past. After playing Battlefield 3, I can honestly tell you that if you can't afford something better than CS:GO, you are much better off playing Battlefield Pla4Free.

majoras_wrath

3 Like

@clsid Those games are not related in anyway, shape, or form beyond the fact that they have guns.

Apsestas

Worth every cent and its value increases every hour ;) 10/10!

JFERNANDEZ84

It's still a great game but it feels like I'm back to year 2000-2001 with revamped graphics only. The gameplay feels unchanged. It's fun to play with friends like always. My score: 7

youngzen69

1 Like

A boring game

ThePotatoGiant

@youngzen69

Go back to playing call of duty asshole. -.-

totto210

1 Like

GAME SPOT U ARE POOR.... GAMESPOT RIP QEPD 2004 APROX....

CS GO MY REVIEW 1.0 CS DUTY OFFENSIVE.... THIS GAME SUCKS,, SOURCE IS ONLY BURIED BUT IS THE ONLY FPS PLAYABLE...

AND VALVE SUCK M1 D1CK!

majoras_wrath

1 Like

@totto210 ...yet you gave Far Cry 2 a 10.

You are a genius among men*

*Men whose intelligence rank somewhere around room temperature

Langaroti

1 Like

How can anybody compare a game like counter strike to games like BF3 and MW2. This outdated game lacks a lot of modern day features and is good for amateurs..

rodan32

4 Like

@Langaroti Know your roots! Just because you get pwned doesn't mean the game stinks.

IshantheRocker

Cant wait to get my hands on this game. can anyone tell me if it is only multiplayer or single player mode is also there???

Jsen

1 Like

@IshantheRocker single player is available but not a campaign mode. you can play all of the game modes and maps with bots, but the real game is online. bots are a great way to practice your aim though, a feature which people often overlook

johno102

i was quite excited to see it returned as i gave up on the original from hackers ruining it 24/7i do miss the sprays tho ;(hopfully they smash out some dlc soon

Spike1988

1 Like

CS was great back in the day, but the fact that you can't aim down the sights of weapons makes it terrible compared to newer FPS games such as Battlefield.

JFERNANDEZ84

@Spike1988 That's true. That's a letdown... they should've implemented it at least...

Jeffreiii

@JFERNANDEZ84 @Spike1988 :P

DaTa9192

10 Like

@Spike1988 Is this guy serious?

Spike1988

1 Like

@DaTa9192 100% I played CS: Source about 2 months ago for the first time in years, and it felt incredibly outdated and completely inferior to modern shooters. Just my opinion though.

Spike1988

@danetz88 @Hikiera @Spike1988 @Flavorysoup @nguyentrongnhan

Just reading back over this old argument I still find it hilarious that people think aiming down sights is less realistic and shouldn't be there because it's 'mainstream'. Ridiculous. People in RL with assault rifles don't run around firing from the hip. They aim down the sights and carefully and precisely fire off a couple of rounds to shoot to kill.

danetz88

@Hikiera @Spike1988 @Flavorysoup @nguyentrongnhan actually some weapons in game are way off in terms of recoil, for example the mp7 is a long range smg and it has no recoil, go to youtube and watch somebody shoot the mp7 in full auto, it doesn't even move, so there goes you realistic recoil theory out the window

Hikiera

1 Like

@Spike1988 @Flavorysoup @nguyentrongnhan To be honest I think you need to calm down. I was giving my opinion too. Calling everyone "butthurt losers" is being insulting lol. Sort of caved in your own arguement there. We all respect your opinion mate. Everyone is in turn replying back. thats what a discussion is. lol

Spike1988

1 Like

@Hikiera @Flavorysoup @nguyentrongnhan Cry more you butthurt losers. I'm not insulting it at all..I've said multiple times that I'm just sharing MY opinion. It's obvious that you have a different opinion. Why does it matter what I think if YOU enjoy it?Calm down =)

Hikiera

@Spike1988 @Flavorysoup @nguyentrongnhan The Idea of recoil is what makes it more realistic than other shooters. instead of just aiming down your sight, shooting and always hitting. you have to shoot like real people have to and consider your recoil. learn where to shoot. its the shooter that separates newbies from pro's (provided you're not hacking). the whole idea you cant just slam down your trigger and get a kill. you have to squeeze it like a normal gun. pros dont need to aim cos they so used to just knowing where there reticule is, know how there recoil will factor. you just cant master a skill like that on other shooters where u just aim down the barrel shoot...this doesnt say other shooters are bad and doesnt meanthis shooter has everything. just dont insult a classy shooter that cant be matched for what it has.

Spike1988

@Flavorysoup @nguyentrongnhan I don't care about realism..this guy above me was just saying it's the only game with 'true recoil', so I was merely pointing out that it's not very realistic to not be able to aim down the sight. And I consider it dated and crap. My opinion.

Flavorysoup

2 Like

@Spike1988 @nguyentrongnhan Not aiming doen the sight doesn't make it dated, it just makes it stylized. And what you said about it being realistic, most modern shooters have regenerating health and tons of respawns. Would you consider that realistic? CS has stuck to its roots and I am very happy it has.

Spike1988

@nguyentrongnhan Aim down the sight? Realistic and smart IMO ;)

nguyentrongnhan

@Spike1988 omg you noob, cs is the only game nowadays that have somewhat true recoil. Aim down the sight ??? mainstream :sigh:

Spike1988

@Jsen @DaTa9192 Well I made the argument so your argument that there is no argument is invalid.There's my new argument ;)Hahaha

Jsen

2 Like

@Spike1988 @DaTa9192 There's simply no argument to be made that this game is anything less than great. It's a 2012 title that costs $15 brand new and has simple, original gameplay that lasts forever. This game has its own flavor and can't be criticized for something like "not being able to aim down sights". Simplicity is key in this game, that's why CS: Source is still one of the top 10 games on Steam.

Spike1988

@Jsen @DaTa9192 Not at all. Diablo 2 has aged very well and is actually ultimately superior to D3 in my opinion. The point I'm trying to make is that CS hasn't aged well when you compare it to modern shooters. My biggest problem with it is that you can't aim down the sights of your weapons. I think if they added that simple feature in, I'd enjoy it a lot more.

Jsen

5 Like

@Spike1988 @DaTa9192 the game is 8 years old and you say its problem is that its outdated? -_- CS is one of the very few games that are actually original and havent had their gameplay style copied. do you also think that diablo 2 is a stupid game because other games have come out since then?

ninos7

2 Like

This game is awesome but without a silencer m4 is not CS and without selecting your character is not CS too but at least it feels that you are in CS

vault-boy

@ninos7 I could be wrong but I think they are going to be releasing more content for the game later, maybe that will be part of it.

ninos7

@vault-boy @ninos7

Yea i hope that but you are right they will add more content

Eboslav

Just tell me if they..- returned spray paints- enabled prop and ragdoll physics- fixed the bullet registry at close range- returned the silencer- made the deagle fearsome again... And if they did, I'll start playing this again.

nord1c

It's poor compared to 1.6 - So I would call it a fail.

stavstav2

@nord1c I would agree with you if it werent for all the cheaters/hackers on 1.6, they completely ruin it

Vividnightmare

4 Like

I won't be buying another CS title until it's on the Half Life 3 engine.

cshourihan

@Vividnightmare Assuming HL3 even uses a new engine.

Conscrumptured

@Vividnightmare Though I agree with you that it should be on such the engine, I still generally enjoy Global Offensive. It's not as stupid as TF2, even if the players all look like Stephen Merchant.

Starsail0r

@Conscrumptured @Vividnightmare Tf2 stupid? o.0

raichou

@Vividnightmare Cool story bro (Y). Have fun with the haysack.

Tacoholic23

@Vividnightmare hahaha...good luck with that.

Sergeant_

1 Like

@Vividnightmare I won't be buying Half Life 3 engine til its a CS title

ijdow

@Vividnightmare cool

Conversation powered by Livefyre

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Not Following

Add to List

Publisher(s): Valve Software
Genre: Action
Release: Aug 21, 2012 (US) »
ESRB: M

More info »

Game Stats

Rank:
911 of 0
PC Rank:
368 of 18,674
Highest Rank:
NANot Ranked
Followers:
2,062Follow»
Wishlists:
143Wish It»
- Player Reviews: 16
- Player Ratings: 401
- Users Now Playing: 96
Number of Players:
1 Player
M Rating Description
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Learn more

Also on:

CS: Global Offensive Navigation