Counter-Strike Nexon

About

Counter-Strike Nexon is a single player and multiplayer survival shooter game with horror and science fiction themes. It was developed by NEXON and was released on October 7, 2014. It received neutral reviews from players.

Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio is a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online first-person shooter that offers both competitive player versus player and player versus environment modes. The game features classic Counter-Strike gameplay, as well as a variety of weapons and characters to choose from. Players can also unleash their creativity in Studio Mode, where they can create their own custom maps. This version of the game offers a special welcome gift for those who join the official Discord server.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

59%

Audience ScoreBased on 15,123 reviews

gameplay134 positive mentions

graphics222 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic throwback to Counter-Strike 1.6, with fast-paced gameplay and a variety of modes, including PvP and PvE.
The humor and absurdity of the game provide an entertaining experience, especially when playing with friends.
The character and weapon designs are impressive, contributing to a strong sense of worldbuilding and lore within the zombie scenarios.

The game's optimization is severely lacking, with significant performance issues, including lag, stuttering, and inconsistent server stability.
The graphics are widely criticized for being outdated and lacking the polish expected from a game released in 2014, leading to a subpar visual experience.
The monetization model is heavily criticized for its aggressive reliance on microtransactions, creating a pay-to-win environment that detracts from fair competition.

graphics
742 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
51%
30%
The graphics of "Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies" are widely criticized for being outdated, with many reviewers noting that they resemble those of early 2000s games, particularly "Counter-Strike 1.6." Despite some players appreciating the nostalgic charm, the overall consensus is that the visuals lack the polish and detail expected from a game released in 2014, leading to a subpar experience compared to modern shooters. Many users express a desire for significant graphical updates to enhance the game's appeal.
- “The graphics are dated, but they carry a nostalgic, 2000s charm.”
- “Despite having older graphics, this game makes up for it with guns.”
- “The graphics are interesting, and the gameplay is even better.”
- “The graphics are so 2008, they've started growing bieber bangs.”
- “The graphics of a game released in 2014 look like the graphics of the beginning of the millennium (maybe they wanted to emulate the 1.6 old-school graphics, but they failed).”
- “The graphics are terrible and the game just doesn't have any appeal to make up for its aged look.”
gameplay
536 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
59%
16%
The gameplay of *Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies* is a mixed bag, with many players noting its nostalgic ties to *Counter-Strike 1.6* but criticizing its outdated mechanics, confusing menus, and heavy reliance on pay-to-win elements. While the game offers a variety of modes, including a chaotic zombie mode that some find enjoyable, it suffers from balance issues, bugs, and a lack of polish compared to modern shooters. Overall, players appreciate the classic shooting mechanics but express frustration over the game's monetization strategies and technical shortcomings.
- “On the positive side, it’s a fantastic throwback to the old Counter-Strike 1.6 with extra experience, zombie content, and the kind of fast-paced gameplay.”
- “The game offers multiple modes, including PvP, PvE, and survival-style scenarios, which provide a fresh take on traditional Counter-Strike gameplay.”
- “While it retains the core gameplay elements of the original, such as tactical team-based combat and strategic bomb planting/defusal mechanics, it introduces a variety of changes and additions that make it feel distinct from its predecessors.”
- “The gameplay is also very difficult for newcomers, and it is better to say that it is better not to play.”
- “The core gameplay still has that Counter-Strike DNA, but it’s buried under a lot of clunky mechanics and unnecessary features.”
- “The gameplay is so chaotic you would need lightning speed reflexes to do anything and not die in about 3 seconds from the round starting.”
story
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
74%
9%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for being either non-existent or poorly executed, with many players noting that the narrative feels convoluted and disjointed, particularly in the zombie scenarios. While some missions offer a semblance of story progression, they often lack coherence and depth, leading to a general sentiment that players would be better off engaging with single-player games that provide a more compelling narrative. Overall, the game is seen as prioritizing gameplay mechanics and various modes over a meaningful story experience.
- “The plot of the zombies campaign is quite confusing to understand but will become comprehensible as each mission unravels information piece by piece.”
- “While it maintains the Counter-Strike feel, it has a story mode that's fun to play through and the multiplayer is great with several gamemodes to play.”
- “This game is incredibly fun and has an interesting story to it.”
- “The story is bad and no one cares.”
- “Zombie scenario storyline feels messy now and completely out of place. How did we go from an infection spreading to literally traveling through space and time, killing magical-looking bosses and zombies that don't even make sense?”
- “Everything in it is just so bad, the guns, the 'story', and the game modes.”
monetization
151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
65%
32%
The monetization model in "Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies" is heavily criticized for its aggressive reliance on microtransactions, which many players feel detracts from the overall experience and creates a pay-to-win environment. Users report that the game is inundated with ads and promotions for in-game purchases, making it feel like a cash grab rather than a genuine homage to the original Counter-Strike. While some appreciate the free-to-play aspect, the intrusive monetization practices and balance issues have left many feeling frustrated and disappointed.
- “The gameplay can be janky, and the monetization leans into RNG, but it's free and weirdly entertaining—just don't expect a polished experience.”
- “As a free-to-play title, Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies relies heavily on microtransactions to generate revenue.”
- “While the microtransactions seem scummy at first, there really is no different to what Valve has implemented, and even with that, Nexon is much nicer with giving out items than Valve.”
- “But if you care about fair competition or balanced gunplay, be prepared for disappointment—the monetization and power creep heavily impact the experience.”
- “The monetization system, which includes microtransactions for cosmetic items, can feel intrusive and may push players towards spending more money than necessary for a fair experience.”
- “This game is what happens when you take the bones of Counter-Strike 1.6, dress them up in cheap cosplay, inject it with Korean free-to-play chaos, and then beat it with a shovel full of microtransactions and zombie gimmicks.”
stability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many reviews describe it as a "buggy mess," with issues ranging from freezing and lag to problematic server connections and unresponsive controls. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay despite these flaws, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game's stability is severely lacking, making it frustrating for many users.
- “It runs great and everything works.”
- “The game runs great.”
- “Broken game, always having random problems and glitches after an update.”
- “This game is shit; it's crashed my video drivers twice and freezes.”
- “The game is buggy every time they update something; other than that, it's a great game.”
humor
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with many players finding it entertainingly absurd and often hilarious, especially when playing with friends. While some reviews highlight frustrations with game mechanics and monetization, they often note that the comedic elements, such as over-the-top weapons and quirky character designs, provide a fun and lighthearted experience. Overall, the game is described as "so bad it's funny," making it a source of laughter amidst its flaws.
- “9/10 this game is such an atrocity it's hilarious.”
- “Thousands and thousands of funny moments and laughs with your friends.”
- “It's very funny and awesome; I like the scenario mod, it's the best!”
- “Some reasons, this game is now not funny anymore.”
- “Well, when I got back to the game many years later for nostalgic memories, I had to restart from scratch, which I was not happy about. Sadly, this game is a huge pay-to-win cash grab, and while I got addicted to it, it is no longer a free-to-play friendly game. They give you some free stuff, but it's not much—just a starter for new players.”
- “0/insert unfunny meme here”
grinding
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
4%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many players describing it as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring extensive daily play to unlock desirable items or gear. While some find enjoyment in the grind, the overwhelming sentiment is that it feels like a "grinding simulator" exacerbated by aggressive monetization strategies, making it difficult for free-to-play users to compete without investing significant time or money. Overall, the game is seen as heavily reliant on grinding, which can lead to player burnout and frustration.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “This game is literally just XP farming and that's it.”
- “The strongest guns are locked behind a tedious grind or a money paywall (usually with real cash or currency).”
- “It's possible to play this game and not spend any money; however, a lot of grinding is required in order to obtain most things, just not the latest gear.”
optimization
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
52%
38%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, including lag, stuttering, and inconsistent server stability, even on higher-end devices. Many users note that the aging GoldSrc engine limits graphical fidelity and overall performance, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. Despite being marketed as accessible for low-end systems, the game struggles with optimization, resulting in a subpar experience that detracts from its potential enjoyment.
- “The performance is a mixed bag, with some serious jankiness that shows its age and the limited effort put into polishing it over time.”
- “On the other hand, the studio mode is fun and it does not lag that much because you control most of the details that affect the performance of the map like lighting, textures, etc., where Nexon is failing to do with maps that are decades old now, for instance, the Italy and Assault maps.”
- “True, it has outdated graphics, but it runs smoothly on even my crappy laptop.”
- “The game also suffers from performance issues, such as inconsistent server stability and occasional lag, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.”
- “Horrible optimization; when you turn on the flashlight, you drop FPS by as much as 50%.”
- “Unfortunately, my first impressions with the game were poor - a confusing interface, an engine based on Half-Life 1, and poor performance all yielded a subpar result in gameplay.”
music
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
79%
13%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as forgettable, annoying, and poorly integrated into the gameplay. Users have noted issues with the volume levels, often finding the music too loud and intrusive, overshadowing sound effects. While some nostalgic references to older soundtracks exist, the general consensus is that the current music quality is subpar and detracts from the overall experience.
- “10/10 would listen to the soundtrack again.”
- “Nicely implemented music, and ambiance (map varying).”
- “Can't remember all the old times used to blast music out loud on Black Friday night in my house while playing it. Ahh... good times.”
- “The soundtrack is generally forgettable, serving more as background noise than something that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The music is awful and the sound quality is barely passable.”
- “Interminable music that just won't quit.”
emotional
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game are highly polarized, with some players expressing intense fear and sadness, leading to tears and a desire for comfort, while others find joy and connection in the community and cooperative gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, whether through its horror elements or its heartwarming moments, indicating a deep emotional impact that varies widely among players. Overall, the game elicits a complex mix of emotions, from despair to camaraderie, making it a memorable experience for many.
- “U will be picked up, chewed, and spat out, and you will question your sanity every 10 minutes, but you keep coming back because you would rather feel the emotional pain than the nothingness that comes with other games.”
- “It made me feel sad, it made me cry, it made me smile, and most importantly, I lost my mind.”
- “Eight years on, I can still recall how profoundly that game gripped me, and I am not an overly emotional person.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The atmosphere in Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio is a mixed bag; while it features engaging weapon sounds and eerie noises that enhance tension, it struggles to match the immersive quality of competitors like CS:GO. Players note a decline in the game's original zombie survival atmosphere due to the prevalence of pay-to-win mechanics, which detracts from the experience. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic nod to classic Counter-Strike elements but lacks the depth and consistency in atmosphere that some players desire.
- “Weapon sounds are satisfying, and the eerie noises in the zombie mode help to create a tense atmosphere.”
- “This game was once a true survival experience — battling hordes of zombies with memorable characters, unique weapons, and a gritty atmosphere.”
- “Good shooter immerses into the atmosphere of the good old Counter-Strike with new features.”
- “Engaging in a competitive shooter realm, Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio offers satisfactory graphics, but falls short when compared to powerhouses like CS:GO, in mechanics and atmosphere.”
- “The game lost its 'zombie atmosphere' by having the zombie mode ruined by every lobby having pay-to-win weapons, so survivors win almost every round.”
- “The atmosphere clashes with the plot; there is nothing but a desire for more types of mutants.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some users noting limited replay value while others highlight it as infinitely replayable, particularly for first-person shooters. Overall, the consensus suggests a moderate to high replayability, with scores ranging from 5/10 to 100/100, indicating that the game's design encourages repeated play, especially in its beta phase.
- “☑️ infinitely replayable”
- “100/100 replay value (it's an FPS you kind of have to replay a lot)”
- “The replay value is very high, and seeing how this is a beta, that says a lot.”
- “Replayability: limited.”
- “Replay value: 5/10”
- “Honestly, advanced warfare is more playable than CS:GO.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game features impressive character design and great weapon design, complemented by strong worldbuilding and lore within its zombie scenario. However, players note that the character development is undermined by poor game balancing.
- “The character design, especially for the newest characters, is impressive.”