Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

A Revolutionary First-Person Shooter Series

Ever since the year 1999, a very innovative and fresh first-person shooter (FPS) has been evolving and revolutionizing the FPS genre, known as Counter-Strike (CS). Valve Corporation, the game company responsible for creating the game over the years, has released 3 follow-ups to the original Counter-Strike; Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (early 2004), Counter-Strike: Source (late 2004), and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012). 

The thing that makes CS so different from other, larger, more expensive shooters (*cough* Call of Duty *cough*) is that the gunplay feels more heavy and real, because the weapons have recoil patterns when you spray that create a sense of accomplishment when you defeat someone. Also the tactics needed to win in the competitive scene is much more advanced than in other shooters. Since you are only allowed 5 teammates on very small and complex maps, you must work with them to make sure that all of the areas are covered, so that sneaky-beaky players don't pull flanking maneuvers on you.

The newest game released in the series, Global Offensive (CSGO), contains the same core gameplay as past titles. The recoil, tactics, and map complexity have remained almost identical. The only things that have changed over the years is the graphics...and the craze for the competitive scene.

As I talked about in my last post about eSports, I used CSGO as an example for the popularity of online sports. A ton of people tuned in to watch their favorite professional players duke it out in Stockholm. The craze for competitiveness in this game is amazing, and I am just as caught up in it as anyone else. I spend hours playing game after game trying to improve my game sense and aim just to get ranked up in the game. I love the feeling that you get when you clutch a round, or even get a singular kill. The joy that overcomes you is immense, and I think that the game design plays a big role in that. I believe that the hours you put into something results in such joy when you complete it or overcome it, and that is what makes CSGO so addictive to players. When you beat someone, you feel like it was YOU doing it, and that is all you can as for from a game.

CSGO is a solid shooter that I would recommend to anyone starting off in the genre, or looking for a change from the mainstream shooters.

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