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Counterstrike: GO review from Gamespot

by Admin on September 2, 2011 in Reviews with No comments

PAX 2011: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Hands-On Preview – New Gear

Since its initial release as a humble mod roughly 13 years ago, Counter-Strike has grown into a first-person shooter icon built on quick matches and hair-trigger reflexes. At this year’s Penny Arcade Expo we got the chance to play Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the latest chapter in the ongoing struggle between terrorists and counterterrorists. The game is being developed by Hidden Path Entertainment, which codeveloped Counter-Strike: Source and runs on an updated version of the Source engine. The result is a crisp and smooth FPS that’s every bit as frantic as we remember it.

During our hands-on time with the game we made sure to sample the three new pieces of gear that were on display: the Molotov cocktail, the decoy grenade, and the Taser gun.

In the battle between terrorists and counterterrorists, no matter who wins, we also win in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Just like its many other video game incarnations, the Molotov cocktail laid down a bed of flames that would gradually damage those who dared to pass through. While we were limited to one per round, we found that the Molotov was great for cutting off key areas of the map. Setting one hallway ablaze meant our opponents had to either wait the fire out–which lasted about five seconds–or funnel into the obvious alternative path. And if we were feeling extra devious we could drop it near the bomb site and make the counterterrorists’ job that much harder.

CS:GO INGAME SCREENSHOT 20

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IGN review for CS:GO

by Admin on September 1, 2011 in Reviews with 1 Comment

IGN First Look Review for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

It’s easy to forget how unforgiving Counter-Strike can be. Valve’s competitive online shooter truly rewards the skilled and stomps all over the newcomers. There are no Call of Duty-style kill streaks, no artillery barrages to call in or packs of dogs to let loose. It’s just you, your guns, a few grenade types and your ability to react. Map knowledge, teamwork and quick reflexes are the only things that matter.

With Global Offensive (or GO), the next version of Counter-Strike,Valve isn’t trying to completely reinvent the franchise. This isn’t Counter-Strike 2, it’s more like an incremental update. Terrorists still fight Counter-Terrorists in round-based combat. You still plant bombs on Dust and rescue hostages on Office. Some maps, like Dust and Aztec, received updates while others, like Dust 2, are largely unchanged. Though the changes aren’t wild, franchise fans will find a few new interesting additions to the formula that may very well turn out to be series staples moving forward.

If you’re using GO’s matchmaking system you’ll be dumped into relatively small maps for five versus five gameplay. Valve built an ELO-based ranking system into GO to determine your skill level, so ideally you’re set up with players around your level of skill. Bots of appropriate difficulty settings will also be added in if a full game of live players can’t be put together. If the idea of a five on five match sounds too limiting, PC players will be able to set up custom matches that Valve assures will provide the same degree of flexibility as is available in Counter-Strike: Source. Console players will not have the option to set up servers, however.

CS:GO INGAME SCREENSHOT 17

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