Counter-Strike

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 58,282 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Counter-Strike Game Cover
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Counter-Strike is a classic multiplayer first-person shooter, where teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists compete in various objectives. Originally a mod for Half-Life, it became a standalone game with Valve's involvement. Matches rely on strategy, teamwork, and precision as players try to defuse bombs, rescue hostages, or eliminate the enemy team.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 58,282 reviews
gameplay308 positive mentions
story35 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,012 mentions

    Counter-Strike 1.6 is celebrated for its timeless and addictive gameplay, which emphasizes tactical decision-making, teamwork, and skill-based mechanics. Despite its outdated graphics, the game remains a benchmark for competitive first-person shooters, offering a high skill ceiling and a variety of iconic maps that enhance strategic depth. The simplicity of its mechanics, combined with a vibrant community and extensive modding options, ensures that the gameplay continues to captivate both new and veteran players alike.

    • “This high-stakes gameplay makes every decision matter, whether it's saving your cash for better weapons or taking a risky push on a bombsite.”
    • “Its combination of strategic gameplay, teamwork, and timeless design make it a must-play for fans of the genre and a favorite among players of all skill levels.”
    • “The gameplay is as sharp as ever.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple - defend as a counter-terrorist, attack as a terrorist to plant the bomb or save the hostages as a CT.”
    • “The game has aged horribly, not only the graphics, but also the gameplay, and the multiplayer is overrun with cheaters and nerds; ugh, some games are better left in the past, where they belong.”
    • “While lacking in depth and mechanics, the game is still really fun, and there should be enough servers to play on.”
  • graphics992 mentions

    The graphics of Counter-Strike 1.6 are widely regarded as outdated by modern standards, often described as "dated" or "poor," reflecting its origins from the early 2000s. However, many players appreciate the minimalist design for its clarity and focus on gameplay, arguing that the graphics do not detract from the overall experience. Nostalgia plays a significant role in the game's appeal, with players often valuing the classic aesthetic and gameplay mechanics over visual fidelity.

    • “The minimalist visuals make it easy to focus on gameplay, with no distractions or flashy effects.”
    • “Visually, the game may not boast the most modern graphics, but its charm lies in its simplicity and the familiarity of its design.”
    • “While the graphics may show their age, the timeless gameplay ensures an enduring player base and competitive scene.”
    • “The graphics have clearly aged poorly; it's hard to see the player model and differentiate it from the map environment.”
    • “The graphics are definitely dated by today’s standards, and high FPS with a high refresh rate monitor does not feel as smooth as in most modern FPS games.”
    • “The graphics are old and weird compared to modern-day games.”
  • story318 mentions

    The consensus among users is that the game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics such as bomb defusal and hostage rescue missions. While some players reminisce about personal experiences and the game's impact on their lives, they acknowledge that there is no overarching story to engage with. Overall, the game is characterized by its straightforward objectives and multiplayer action rather than a developed storyline.

    • “With its challenging missions and intense storyline, players can truly immerse themselves in the world of Counter-Strike.”
    • “It's not just a shooting game; it's a great story that not everyone knows, and it's admirable that the game revolutionized the industry.”
    • “Every round was a new story, filled with tension, excitement, and the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “If you want a story, then go read a book.”
    • “There is no plot to this game; its purpose is to establish a fun co-op multiplayer game that allows gamers to either fight it off or team up around the globe.”
  • humor144 mentions

    The humor in this game is widely appreciated, with players sharing nostalgic and funny moments from their experiences, particularly when playing with friends or in community servers. Many reviews highlight the amusing interactions, quirky glitches, and the entertaining nature of various game modes, making it a source of laughter and camaraderie. Overall, the game's humor is a significant draw, contributing to its lasting appeal and enjoyment among players.

    • “From carefully planned tactics on de_dust2 to laughing with friends during intense clutch moments, every match is a unique experience.”
    • “We used to spend countless hours wasting opponents and laughing when they rage quit.”
    • “Find a server that has car maps or maps with func_vehicle entities and you will have endless fun running over teammates and enemies in all kinds of hilarious and goofy vehicles, not giving a care in the world.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music aspect of the game is generally viewed as lacking, with many players noting the absence of a dedicated soundtrack and main menu music. However, community servers often enhance the experience with custom music, creating a nostalgic and enjoyable atmosphere, particularly during gameplay. While some players appreciate the sound effects and the nostalgic main theme, others feel that the overall musical depth is insufficient, detracting from the experience.

    • “Listening to techno/trance music or jungle + dnb music with this game is a path to enlightenment.”
    • “But as they loaded up Counter-Strike 2 and heard that familiar 'dun dun dun dun' of the menu music, they knew the journey was far from over.”
    • “There isn’t much music in the game, but the main theme is really good and very nostalgic.”
    • “It doesn't have a soundtrack.”
    • “Players may find the sound effects and soundtrack lacking in depth and variety, detracting from the overall experience.”
    • “Classic masterpiece, even shocked there is no main menu theme music.”
  • optimization65 mentions

    Counter-Strike 1.6 is widely praised for its excellent optimization, allowing it to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including low-end PCs. While the graphics may be dated, the game's performance remains responsive and consistent, making it accessible to a broad player base. However, some users have noted occasional performance issues on higher-end systems, particularly in intense multiplayer scenarios.

    • “Counter-Strike 1.6 is praised for its optimized performance on a wide range of hardware configurations, ensuring smooth gameplay and responsiveness even on older systems.”
    • “The simplicity of the graphics allows for smooth performance even on lower-end systems, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable experience for a wide range of players.”
    • “This game is great to play because you don't need a high-performance computer and it's so much fun when you're bored.”
    • “It appears to just be poor optimization, and should also be addressed.”
    • “Wish Valve would update the GoldSrc engine to make it optimized for newer systems to extract even more frames for the frame drops out there such as myself; edit: the FPS drops for me are only particularly noticeable on lower resolutions/high player counts/maps.”
    • “Only unique problem is that it is kind of poorly optimized for systems with specs well above the recommended.”
  • grinding57 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, with many players suggesting that it requires "a second life" to complete. While some acknowledge that it can be a bit grindy at times, the general consensus is that the grinding experience is long and tedious, detracting from overall enjoyment.

    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “Some elements of the single-player campaign are tedious.”
  • replayability55 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, largely due to its robust modding community and the endless variety of custom maps and game modes available. Players appreciate the flexibility and adaptability required in different maps, which enhances the social and competitive experience. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most replayable titles in the genre, with many users highlighting its timeless gameplay and community-driven content.

    • “This flexibility gave Counter-Strike nearly infinite replayability and made it more than just a competitive shooter — it became a social experience.”
    • “The game's robust modding community has created countless custom maps, game modes, and modifications, providing endless variety and replayability.”
    • “From zombie mods to custom servers, the flexibility in user-created content makes the game infinitely replayable.”
    • “Players looking for a robust single-player experience may find the game lacking in content and replay value.”
    • “The game also had a high level of replay value, thanks to its various game modes and constantly evolving maps.”
    • “It is not only the look of the game that makes things count, the gameplay and the endless replayability is what keeps this game going for over ten years.”
  • stability36 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while players can generally enter and play without crashes, many report persistent bugs, glitches, and lag, particularly affecting gameplay mechanics and menus. Despite these issues, the game is noted for running well on older systems, and some players find the glitches amusing rather than detrimental. However, the frequency and severity of bugs can detract from the overall experience, especially for those expecting a smoother performance.

    • “This is a great game because it runs great on older PCs.”
    • “Still runs great on basically any modern system.”
    • “It's still fun, runs great on a potato computer, and people are still playing it!”
    • “Same few maps, same buggy moments.”
    • “This game is so buggy and I play it with a friend and he is a noob!”
    • “Broken physics engine & very buggy.”
  • monetization21 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and battle passes, which allows for a more authentic competitive experience. However, there are concerns about the presence of ads and the impact of monetization on gameplay, particularly with some servers incorporating plugins that introduce pay-to-win elements and advertisements, detracting from the overall experience. Critics have also noted that the game's monetization strategy may prioritize profit over maintaining a balanced and enjoyable environment.

    • “Big plus that there's no FOMO microtransactions or battle passes.”
    • “No in-app purchases, no ads, just pure simple shooting game.”
    • “The thing that makes this game so awesome is that you will always have competition and there's no excuse for losing or winning because the only thing that can make you good in it is experience; there are no in-game purchases.”
    • “The timeless elegance of Counter-Strike continues to endure, while Valve's current rendition of CS:GO seems to prioritize monetization over the necessary upkeep of their anti-cheat system.”
    • “All the servers are not even Counter-Strike anymore with the amount of plugins they have, and the most normal ones have loadout plugins that buy you the same gear every round, or VIP plugins with ranks and microtransactions for money bonuses, or it's just a different game mode altogether like DM, zombies, or something completely unrelated to shooter games at all.”
    • “You will also see advertisements while you are connecting to the servers, and while you wait for the next round once you have been killed.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often reminiscing about nostalgic experiences and the sense of community it fostered. Many recount moments of joy and sadness, highlighting how the game evokes strong feelings and memories from their past, making it a significant part of their lives. The emotional impact is further amplified by personal stories and the game's ability to inspire reflection on life and relationships.

    • “Intense gameplay, a simple concept, and memories of long hours spent on servers keep this game emotionally charged.”
    • “This game is one of the few things I remember from my childhood... I couldn't wait to go to my cousin's house to play CS... I've bought this game over 10 times... and recently I played it and it really made me feel like a kid again in a net cafe... thank you Valve for the memories.”
    • “It was a chapter in my life, filled with heartwarming memories, lessons learned, and friendships made.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is often described as nostalgic and immersive, with many players appreciating its simplicity and intense sound design that enhances the experience. While some servers still maintain a vibrant community and engaging atmosphere, the overall sentiment reflects a shift towards a more relaxed environment compared to its peak. Despite its decline in popularity, the game is fondly remembered for its unique charm and the camaraderie among players.

    • “The sound design is also fantastic, with intense sound effects and music that add to the intense atmosphere of each match.”
    • “From the moment you step into the gritty world of Counter-Strike, you're immediately immersed in an atmosphere of tension and excitement.”
    • “This is an awesome nostalgic game with a fantastic atmosphere.”
    • “However, since most of them have switched to 'Counter-Strike: Global Offensive', the atmosphere in the 1.6 version has become much more relaxed.”
    • “Old game, golden atmosphere.”
    • “This game is good; it brings pleasure and it has a special atmosphere.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game shows a noticeable improvement from the original GoldSrc engine to Counter-Strike: Source, with enhanced character design that meets player expectations.

    • “The character development is truly engaging, allowing players to connect with the characters on a deeper level.”
    • “The character design has seen significant improvements in Counter-Strike: Source, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The evolution of characters throughout the game adds a rich layer to the storytelling.”
    • “The character design is really what you'd expect from a GoldSrc game.”
    • “The character design is improved in Counter-Strike: Source though.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

60% average critic score

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Play time

80hMedian play time
721hAverage play time
10-800hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 63 analyzed playthroughs

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