Half life: Counter Strike Review.

Anyone who has ever played video games has played a first person shooter. And anyone who
plays FPS’ knows what counter strike is. If you still haven’t played it here’s what you have
been missing out on.

Counter strike or CS for short is a First Person shooter 1st released in 1999. The current version
(1.6) was released in 2003. It is designed to be played online with friends or complete strangers.
The game pits 2 teams of terrorists (T’s) and counter terrorists (CT’s) against each other on a
multitude of maps with various scenarios such as bomb/defuse bomb, hostage hold/hostage
rescue, etc. That sets up a basic plot for the game. You may wonder why the terrorists are
holding hostages and why the counter terrorists are protecting some boxes in an abandoned
area in god-knows-where. But that would be missing the point altogether. That little story is
just an excuse to shoot your friend through the head in multiplayer.

The game starts with you choosing a team. After which, depending on your choice, you spawn
on the respective spawn point on the map. Then you have to choose your instrument of death
from among the many guns offered. You can choose only one primary, one secondary a couple
of grenades. So you have to choose the best weapon for the job. And like in ‘real life’ everything
has a price tag. One of the unique things about counter strike is that it has a simple economic
system. So to win games you need good guns. To get good guns, you need money. And to get
money you and your team needs play well and win games. This little cycle gives more of a
reason to kill than the stupid plot. After each level you do get a pistol and the mandatory knife.
But that’s like getting a kiss from your girlfriend as a birthday gift. Thanks, but I’m gonna need a
lot more.

Keep in mind that counter strike is not your normal run ‘n’ gun game. It’s a tactical shooter. This
means that a single well placed shot could kill you. And five hits usually mean death. This also
means that the guns behave realistically. They have recoil and spraying bullets like its holi
means almost certain death. This gives each and every thing you do or buy tactical implications.
Team work is the name of the game, if one team member buys a sniper, it would be smart to
support him with a close ranged weapon to take care of those idiots who suddenly pop up. Not
mention things such as flash bangs, smoke grenades, shields and various other things that may
give you a tactical edge.
The multiplayer aspect of counter strike is where it’s at. But unfortunately it is a victim of its
own popularity. All those years have spawned numerous hacks and cheats which can really be a
‘kabab mein haddi’ if you encounter some using it online. And remember, since this game is
almost a decade old there will always be someone who has been playing it longer than you
have and will kick your ass six ways till Sunday. This makes the game not very ‘newbie friendly’.
On the plus side this means that you get to learn what to do pretty quickly and killing a guy who
is cheating feels as rewarding as winning the Olympics. Its quite exciting, when you hear bullets
hitting the wall next to you and you realize you are under attack. Or those tense moments of
waiting when you have been blinded by a flashbang. And the joy of being labeled a pro by
everyone

In the end, the positives far outweigh the negatives and this makes counter strike a must-have
game for any FPS fan.

Graphics – 4

Well, what did you expect, like I said it’s almost a decade old. But it also means that it can run
on any system.

Sound-7

One of the best sound effects I’ve ever heard. The explosions of grenades, the shattering of
glass. Sound of guns reloading and cocking is all very realistic.

Gameplay-8

The most fun you can have killing your friends in the virtual world. WARNING-may lead to
addiction.

Value-9

For Rs 500 you get counter strike 1.6, condition zero, condition zero deleted scenes, half life
death match, day of defeat, and ricochet. C’MON!!! 6 games for Rs 500. Not to forget the
numerous maps, skins and mods to play with which increase the replay value infinitely.
Overall -8

Counter strike is a great gift which keeps on giving. If you still aren’t sure of buying it. Go to a
local gaming café and try it. I’m sure you’ll get hooked.