Counter-strike : Global Offensive

[hudson]

It's a tough game, but I like that. No assisted aiming. No perks, just good ol' guns, tactics and great maps.

I mostly get tossed around the map, but keep getting that one morego feeling.

[nonny]

I picked up the 360 version.

Yep it is very much a PC game ported across more than pandering to the console masses which is good and bad depending on how you look at it. I think it looks alright on 360 for what it is and what tech its running on.

The only criticism I have is the handful of matches I played there didnt seem to be any regional matchmaking at all and lag was a huge factor. Once I had a few matches with more local players it seemed to hold up much better but time will tell. That was a negative as well as the fact the bots are thick as mud and a completely pointless addition due to how they behave. I would have though we'd come a long way in terms of smart AI in these sorts of games?

Anyway I dont like how it substitutes bots in for a full 5 on 5 at present because of their overall worth but once you get a full local server it is the CS we know and love/hate.

[dataDave]

These are all reasons why I'm sticking to PC games from now on. I can modify the autoexec.cfg file so that it will only give me games within a personally predetermined latency range (Thanks again, Adam).

[Neon Ignition]

Went with the PS3 version over the 360 under the theory that if the Valve/Sony Steam relationship really does exist at all still then the PS3 version might fare better for fixes.

Had a quick couple of games and it's alright, I'm sure the PC version is a very different beast due to the experience of the players involved but it didn't come across as the ruthless experience I'd heard of. You can die easily if you muck about but generally getting kills is easy enough. I like that weapons carry across, I haven't felt the need to buy anything so far, I just hang back for a few seconds and then grab an assault rifle off a corpse Already maxed my wallet.

It's all... very retro. It looks worse than Modern Warfare visually but the games I played were rock solid and it's so devoid of features that it's apparent very quick that everyone is on an even playfield. Overall, first impressions are not too bad.

[speedlolita]

It runs on the Source engine still, it isn't very demanding, go PC!

Indeed, I get 100 fps plus solid at 1080p maxed out on my modest i3/6850 setup.

[Wools]

I downloaded the trial last night on Xbox 360 and used up the 45 minutes in one session!

It’s a really good game and from what I’ve heard about the PC version, it’s an identical port aside from frame rate and resolution… Obviously.

Frame rate wise it’s really slick and the world is so beautiful and solid but filled with detail. Dust II looks so odd after a decade of playing it and going back to screenshots of the original map, it now looks like a featureless maze. Valve have made the maps like they’re inhabited with the blank walls now replaced with shop fronts, homes and barricaded entrances.

Of all the features of the Xbox port, I was most concerned about the controls but luckily they’ve nicely mapped the analogue triggers with smooth movement so I’ve almost forgot I’ve not been using a mouse and keyboard. Of most interest to me is the apparent fact the Valve have no soft locking when you scroll over targets (Halo) nor a snap when you take aim. (Call of Duty) Unless I’m mistaken, this is one of the rare FPS’s on a console where no lock on occurs, so it really feels like a genuine Counter Strike experience where you have to be precise. It took 20 minutes to adjust after 2 years of Modern Warfare 2 but near the end of the trial, I was back in CS mode, aiming for heads and controlling recoil.

Also I love the little touch of having your entire team on the OSD using their Gamertags and when one is killed, it’s wiped off the list. It’s a nice way to show who you’ve got left and whether you should be running to diffuse or plant the bomb!

It’s a beautiful refinement of a classic game and the Xbox 360 port is handled perfectly. I’ll be buying the full game in a heartbeat.

[Synthesthesia]

Of most interest to me is the apparent fact the Valve have no soft locking when you scroll over targets (Halo) nor a snap when you take aim. (Call of Duty) Unless I?m mistaken, this is one of the rare FPS?s on a console where no lock on occurs, so it really feels like a genuine Counter Strike experience where you have to be precise. It took 20 minutes to adjust after 2 years of Modern Warfare 2 but near the end of the trial, I was back in CS mode, aiming for heads and controlling recoil.

Not really a FPS, but Gears of War doesn't do that either...

I'm not sure if I want this. Might download the 360 trial...but even then, I don't know whether to go for the 360 or the PC. I'd likely play the PC one a little less but obviously it'll have more staying power overall since the xbox is on the way out.

[hudson]

If you like Counter-Strike, but prefer the comfort of playing console games, I'd highly recommend going for the console version. Been playing it solidly the past couple of days on PS3 and just love it.

It also has a very do-able Platinum. I think they can be achieved by fighting just bots too. Apart from the 27 kills streak (ending with a knife kill) in Arms Race, the rest of the trophies are pretty easy.

[nonny]

Yeah you can do them against bots as well.

I'm enjoying the 360 version more now. It really has a bedding in time and isn't this instantly accessible feel to it. I guess in part because the mechanics are sending you back in time compared to what some would now call standard fare in FPS territory.

The bots are still average but I noticed an option last night where you can take over control of a bot if you have already died which is smart. I've also fiddled with the sensitivity and found a good ratio for how I play. I'd normally have BF3 set higher than defaults but on this because it's so floaty & you have the 180 spin I'm finding it's better to go a little lower than default? That may change the more I play.

The controls actually remind me of Left 4 Dead.

On 360 I'm still finding issues though. Stuttering when strafing (just circle strafe on even the gun course) and lag all over the place in some matches. The spectator mode is hopping all over the place as well. Maybe it's due to Australia being remote & not too many players? I dunno. But it's definitely a factor at present.

[Adam]

Just read that you can use USB keyboard and mouse on the console versions? Bet that is a laugh.

[Neon Ignition]

Spent a while on this last night, used the Arms Race mode to get into the swing of things, trying out all the weapons till I could win/rank high each game. It's good fun, can't see me sticking with it for long as there's not enough to it to hook me, but I'm enjoying it at the mo'

[hudson]

Just read that you can use USB keyboard and mouse on the console versions? Bet that is a laugh.

Only the PS3 version supports mouse/keyboard out of the console versions.

[MrKirov]

Played the 45 min trial. I'm On the fence really, I just got ?ber bummed all the time

[averybluemonkey]

Getting your butt kicked makes up most people's first few hours with the series so you're not alone in that one .

Went with the console version in the end, purely because most my friends will go that way. Have to say I'm seeing a lot more fresh blood than I ever did on the PC, loads of people not checking their corners and running around like loons. I'm really glad at what appears to be a lack in auto-aim though obviously without mouse and keyboard that has led to the odd moment of circle strafing that I'm sure never happens on the PC. On the plus side it also means AWPers are having a much harder time of it . Glad I went with the 360 version now people have mentioned on PS3 some are using mice and keyboards though!

[hudson]

Anyone else having a love/hate relationship with the Rampage! achievement/trophy?

Arms Race, Baggage, 27 kills without dying. Last kill with a knife.

Got to the end a good few times now, needing just the knife kill, but I can't seem to get a one-hit kill with it. I suspect I need to find someone with low health.

Now, I've set this up against Easy bots, but don't let that fool you! They can still tear you a new arse if you give them half a chance.

I find Baggage map has the best vantage points.

I recommend you try this achievement/trophy as it is a very addictive single player alternative.