Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Critic Reviews

It may lack some of the community niceties, beloved maps (Assault, anyone?), and little features of past games, but Global Offensive delivers on the promise of a faithful, polished, and better looking Counter-Strike for whoever wants it. Even if the community doesn't meet the golden standard of 1.6 and Source, CS:GO will remain a multiplayer classic for those willing to put in the time to learn the maps and weapons.

The core of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a reminder that quality can be permanent rather than fleeting, and the new additions give us new reasons to take interest and - hopefully - another way in for people who are ready for something different.

CS: GO stands as a glowing reminder that quality game design is rewarded in longevity and variety. Valve has not only updated the shooter but has completely outclassed its contemporaries. This is Counter-Strike, whatever the format you choose to play it on, and there isn't a higher recommendation than that.

There's plenty of things to like about today's modern shooters, but Counter-Strike is the only one of its kind designed to be anything other than a throwaway novelty you replace every year. It's the Audi compared to Call of Duty's Fiat.

Counter-Strike: it´s a classic and its formula has never grown tired. Global Offensive is a really good interpretation of that formula, more refined and better executed than CS: Source in its first days, so it's in an excellent position to reinvigorate the community around this seminal title.

It's culled the crap, brought new content and tactics to a near-perfect series, and focused on community. It's got an extremely bright future ahead of itself.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the 2012 masterpiece of online multiplayer first person shooters. True to itself, beautiful to see and amazingly harsh and fun to play.

At the end, what matters is not if CS:GO is innovative or more of the same than CS: Source, what counts is if it's fun. And CS:GO couldn't be better in this regard.

In the end, CS:GO is CS. There's something to be said for a game that knows what it is and executes that idea well. Between the refined quality of classic CS, and the new tweaks and modes, there is plenty here to warrant a $15 price tag whether you have played CS before or not. The potential value is absurd given the historic and expected persistence of the community. CS:GO is hard, hardcore, and still a blast to play.

The new Counter Strike game is the king of tactical first-person shooters. It is perfectly suited for the professional gamers as well as for the casual ones. The game offers plenty of hours, even days, probably even years of fun and gameplay. You won't sleep well until you get to 1st place.

Brilliant old-school shooter has convinced us that Counter-Strike franchise is in no way to be retired or forgotten.

Counter Strike: Global Offensive it's a well balanced mixture of classic and new element, both well suited for the Half Life mod veterans and newbie. And for 10.99 euros, it's really a must have.

One of the best first person shooters available right now. The game has a unique character thanks to the required combination of tactical insight and pure skills. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's gameplay won't appeal to everyone, but that's also its greatest strength.

The most important aspect of any multiplayer game is how much you want to play after a session ends. This is where Global Offensive excels, possessing the same addictive quality that helped make the previous games a long-term success story.

The traditional CS modes are excellently balanced. Games are fast-paced without being unmanageable, skill is rewarded in both the planning and outfitting stages as well as in battle, and good teamwork typically beats individual skills.

This modern version of one of the best competitive games of all times does a good job in introducing new players to this highly tactical and skill-based gaming experience. If you are a veteran of the old days – CS:GO might disappoint you. It sure looks nice but lacks the precision that made CS 1.6 so damn good. It´s still a very good Counter-Strike, though.

A fast, demanding shooter with a huge potential for the future. It's basically CS: Source, but the maps are more polished and the game looks better.

Quotation forthcoming.

There are some touches that rejuvenate the game we've been playing for 12 years. The new scoreboard is terrific. There's both a server browser and a party system, if you prefer that. There's a slider for scaling the UI.

For a non-professional Counter-Striker, Global Offensive is just a cosmetic facelift, with re-run levels.