"CS:S - Ruining CS or Revolutionizing FPS Graphics"

Counter Strike: Source
----------------------

[ Introduction ]
Counter Strike is a widely known First Person Shooter computer game. Terrorists take on Counter-Terrorists in a list of de_ [terrorists try to blow up bomb sites], cs_ [terrorists guard the hostages as the counter-terrorists try to bring them to safety], and a list of other custom maps. You buy weapons at the beginning of the round; such as Pistols, Automatics, Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, or Semi-Automatics. Counter Strike: Source is a newer version of Counter-Strike which includes better graphics as well as new maps and change in the weapon recoil and other aspects.

[ Gameplay ] 8/10
You really must know how to play a First Person Shooter for this game, its all about running around and shooting. As you get better and better, it is much easier to play, and it makes it that much more fun, also, other players have created maps that are designed to make the game more fun. It is quite hard when you first begin, because it takes a while to get used to the recoil, and the hand to hand co-ordination, even if you have played the first Counter Strike. In many ways, the recoil in this game is much more different that CS1.6, which makes it more difficult to transfer from one game to another. Steam has also made it very easy to control, allowing you with such features as customizing your keys and using different 'console' commands to improve your Frames per Second, or lower other aspects such as choke or loss.

[ Graphics / Sound ] 10/10
In Counter-Strike 1.6, there was definitely something lacking, and that was the graphics. Simply dirt on the ground which hardly represented what it would look like in real life really took some fun out of the game. But in Counter Strike: Source, that has all changed. Steam has updated, not only the graphics for the weapons, but also for the maps. There is almost a glimpse of reality in some of the maps which were never even thought of in 1.6, such as the detail of the bridge and water area in de_aztec [a bomb-defuse map]. The sound has pretty much stayed the same for the guns, but other sounds have been added in the maps such as town-like noises in de_dust2, which makes you that you are in a real town where people are buying and selling and creating music.

[ Play Time / Replayability ] 8/10
This game is great for replaying, hours on end you could play this game and for a while it would still be fun...but if you continue to play the same old map for such a long time you will get bored. This is a major factor in people who like to play specific maps, but those of you who love to play 'Pub' maps, generally maps created to make playing in Public Servers more enjoyable, could spend much more time playing Counter-Strike, because of the vast amounts of maps that Valve has created. As for the Play Time, you could definately play for quite a while until you get either tired or bored, so it is great for an early-morning play, or a quickie between homework and dinner!

[ Final Recommendation ]
This is one of my favourite games to play, and very addicting if you become a more competitive player, playing in leagues such as CAL, UGS, or CEVO. If your into First Person Shooters, then this is definately a great game, which combines some of the finest graphics and some great maps that never made playing video games more exciting. Overall, quite a good game after you get used to the controls and specifics about yourself! 8/10 FOLKS!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/05