Visually the game is pleasing, though not a huge step up from Source. |
The tweaks that were made to these layouts aren't particularly momentous and certainly don't cast a new spin on the previous iterations. While PC gamers will presumably still be well served by community designs, it's a real shame that the developers have not taken the time to create some original maps and, beyond a minor graphical overhaul when compared with 2004's Counter-Strike: Source, there's little to provoke much interest in the series' fans.
The new levels are uninspired and basic. |
The one area where things have changed significantly is in the gun mechanics department. Arguably sequels can and should vary things up a little, but change for change's sake is never a good thing. With the move from Counter-Strike 1.6 to Source, Valve made a number of alterations to the recoil model that some saw as a deficit to the game by adding in a higher degree of randomised bullet spray placing harder limits on burst control. With Global Offensive the designers have dialled this back somewhat, lowering the recoil spread pattern. However, at the same time they've also reduced the affect on recoil that is caused by movement and made the hit boxes significantly smaller. When combined these elements result in a system whereby a higher emphasis is placed on running and gunning than the careful, measured progress interspersed with hectic firefights that is the hallmark of the franchise.
Cs_Office, now with added circle strafing! |
The changes to the physics have, however, cast an entirely new light on the maps included. Whereas in past games the defenders have usually had an easier time of things, able to quickly get to choke points and keep them covered, now the tide has turned in favour of the attackers, who are able to close distances faster and make dashes round corners without fear of instant death. Arguably this has actually reversed things a little too far, with most match ups now being soundly dominated by the attackers, and it has stripped a lot of the tension from playing on the aggressor team. Nevertheless, it's the one thing this game does that actually offers something new and makes a change for series veterans; it just doesn't feel like a change that will retain interest in the long term.
The inclusion of bots is a nice touch. |
There are also some issues with the user interface design. Rather than providing a server browser, Valve have incorporated matchmaking with a small number of playlists. Counter-Strike is a title where more than anything your enjoyment is determined by the people in the room with you, and as such can be ruined by troublesome players not adhering to the spirit of the game. Say you find yourself in a match with teammates who like to shoot at each other, it can take multiple rounds of backing out to the main menu, searching and loading before you manage to be placed in a different game, which is both time consuming and cumbersome. Then there's the fact that when selecting a playlist you have to also specify whether you want to play on Bomb based or Hostage based levels. This arbitrary split is frustrating in the extreme, particularly given that there are only two Hostage maps in the whole game. So should you find yourself in a really good group that you don't want to leave, you can end up stuck playing these two levels back to back continuously, with no ability to switch out to the others.
Doug would be ashamed... |
Overall Global Offensive fails to deliver as a sequal. It's more of a variant, a tweaked and altered version that does little to stand out from its predecessors, which, given the large number of years that have passed since Source hit, is pretty underwhelming. Much of the core magic is still there but the changes to the gunplay mechanics aren't for the better. It's still a fun game but it gets by on the elements created in previous Counter-Strike titles rather than anything it has brought to the table this time around. While enjoyable enough, players are best served by sticking to any of the previous offerings on the PC.
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Score: 5/10
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