CounterStrike : Healthy agression release ! (Counter-Strike for Half-Life (PS))

Member Name: kyrgyzvodka

Product:	Counter-Strike for Half-Life (PS)
Date:	21/08/01 (197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent, thrilling action game, Great fun to play with friends, Simple to pick up, hard to master

Disadvantages: Mainly internet based - good net connection essential, Good P.C required for internet play

Counterstrike : where to begin ? :)Counterstrike was originally an upgrade to the popular and successful Valve software game Halflife, which rocked the gaming and first person shooter worlds with its challenging puzzles, great graphics and fantastic action and atmosphere. This relatively new addition to the series is an improved version of an old modification available on the internet called Team Fortress, which was basically a test program for Counterstrike. The game is available in two ways : you can download a 'mod' from the internet, and run it through halflife's custom games option. It is available freely from several sites, but is rather large and you must have a copy of halflife already installed on your pc. The second and much easier way is simply to pop down your local pc/games store and buy it for 20 quid ! Both versions are identical, although the release of a new Counterstrike 1.1 patch soon on the net will change this.

After a little background, time to cut to the chase. Counterstrike is a team-based first person shooter (you see the action through the head of the person you control, with your gun in view), and was developed mainly for internet play. Teams are divided into Terrorists and Counter Terrorists, with suitable 'skins' to match (basically different people, what you look like on other peoples screens). Each side has control of a good variety of weapons to complete their goals, ranging from pistols through machine guns to one shot kill sniper rifles and a good variety of tactical equipment such as grenades and body armour. A great feature is realistic recoil on the weapons, mimiced down to the shaking of your zoomed in scope as you fire a powerful rifle. This great idea increases the realism of the game a lot, and in my opinion teaches trigger happy players not to just hold down the fire button, as it simply results in them not hitting their target! Sound effects for these weapons are excellent, from the bond-esque
'plink' of a silenced pistol to the roars of a shotgun or rifle. All weapons and equipment are bought in a buying area, usually where the team first starts off on the map.
An innovative system of financial reward is employed in the game, giving a player money for kills, rescuing hostages (if a counterterrorist) or completing their mission objective.An interesting twist is that terrorists can kill their hostages in a 'Hostage rescue* situation simply to minimise the Counterterrorists earnings!
This money can the be used to buy bigger, better or simply more appropriate equipment for the task in hand. The losing team also receive a lesser amount of money each time, ensuring they can afford to stay in the fight, and that repeated death for less exerienced players is less of a handicap.
All maps included are excellent graphically and gameplay wise, with many available on the internet.
Battle arenas are set in widely ranging areas, including a ruined city, english stately home and grounds and urban warehouses. These are excellent graphically and in their layout, with many options for out flanking and sneak attack strategy thanks to valve's extensive playtesting. The two teams start at generally opposite areas of the map to each other, and wage war till a team is eliminated or mission goals have been achieved. Maps come under one of three current mission types :

1) Hostage Rescue :
Terrorist Objectives :
Eliminate all Counter Terrorists
Prevent as many hostages from escaping as possible

Counter Terrorists Objectives :
Make contact with and rescue as many hostages as possible, and lead them to a Evacuation zone. Mission can also be won by eliminating all Terrorist forces.

2) Bomb Disposal / Planting :
Terrorist Objectives :
Locate a Bomb site on the map, plant a bomb and defend it from defusion until it explodes. Mission can also be won by eliminating Counter Terrorists.

Counter T
errorist Objectives :
Locate and defuse any Terrorist bombs planted. (Special bomb defusal kit available as equipment speeds process). Mission can also be won by eliminating Terrorists.

3) VIP Escort / Assassination :
Terrorist Objectives :
Assassinate the VIP.

Counter Terrorist Objectives :
Escort VIP to safe location ensuring he is alive! Mission can also be won by eliminating Terrorists.

What I havent been able to capture in this review is the sheer excitement of play : the whole teamwork thing works really well, and your tactics change constantly as your enemy get wise to your style. Scouting around, sneaking up on an enemy, the thrill of a firefire and the dread of death whilst reloading all make the game a thrilling experience. Great satisfaction from popping off an enemy with a tricky sniper shot or a well executed plan also make the game well worth playing. The easiest way of working as a team in my opinion is in a room of networked pcs, but across the net there are easy keyboard menus with set phrases to say to your team, such as 'go now', 'follow me' etc. Those with a good connection can also use voice chat with a mike and speakers.

I was introduced to Counterstrike by a friend, and never looked back :) Its a great game for internet, local network and even single play, as bots can be obtained from the internet. The real bulk of the experience is online however, and a disadvantage is that a good fast internet connection and pc are required. I tend to prefer LAN, or networked play as the whole internet pricy phonebill side is cut out, and connection is very quick giving a fast experience. Still, if you have a reasonable pc and a bit of money then a spend on some upgrades is well worth the price! My advice ? Get it, and good hunting to you ;)
Craig

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