Cream of the crop FPS
For those of you who don't know, Counter-Strike is the world's most popular on-line Shooter, and for good reason. It's definitely not without it's bugs, but compared to other games in this genre out there it seems extremely well rounded. Constant updates from Steam make sure that new bugs and fresh content get loaded onto your machine whenever they arrive.
When you first get into the game, don't be surprised if you're not as good as the other players. Counter-Strike is far from an easy game, and takes plenty of time to get used to. For veterans of the original, it may be even more confusing for you. The recoil, hit-boxes and even some of the maps have been changed completely. It's better to think of it as a completely separate game rather than the next step in the franchise (It's that radically different).
The graphics are like any you'd expect from the Source engine - Nothing less than amazing. The player and weapon models are all superbly animated and skinned, and everything looks fluid. No imperfections there. The maps all have excellent layout, along with many props to make it seem more realistic. Recently HDR (High-Dynamic Range Lighting) has been implemented into a few maps, and can only add to the graphical experience. It really adds that extra flare to the visuals.
The sound, while good, is nothing to really brag about. Standard sounds for all the weapons, and all make a satisfying "boom" when you shoot them (Excluding possibly the five-seven and the glock). The radio commands seem stiff and robotic, and get fairly repetitive. They really seem to take away from the immersion experience so it's best not to use them.
For around $20, Counter-Strike: Source is a game not to be missed. There's definitely enough content there to keep anyone satisfied, and more is constantly being added. For newcomers and veterans alike, it will be a long hard road in order to gain any progress. But if you enjoy a challenge, this is a game for you