Counter-Strike: Source - Reviewed

[Chris D]

I started writing and actually completed my review of Counter-Strike: Source on Thursday evening. "Why has it taken so long to be uploaded?" I hear you ask. Well, Munro has been playing Counter-Strike: Source so much, he's only just made some time to actually post it. Anyway, here's a snip of the review:

Most people have now likely played the BETA version of CS: Source so most will have been playing Dust 24/7 for a while – because of this, the appeal has worn off and their attentions have been turned to Office. Office has been done with a complete stroke of genius, no longer is it something that slightly resembles an office, but it is an office, now complete with an atmospheric alley way, realistically lit car park and filing cabinets that topple over. From what I can tell, the team at Valve have worked the hardest on this map.

And of course, a review wouldn't be a review unless we had some pictures to show you as well:[br]

​

[br]Find out in full what I thought about Counter-Strike: Source in what is officially our first ever review! You can read the full review right here.

 

[LeXo5]

bananas! :naughty:

EDIT : yea i think 89% is a good score, the game is good but there are a few rough edges like you brought out

 

[Mr. Redundant]

those shots so do not do the game justice.

 

[Munro]

[22:38:34] [Chris_D]: CS:S review finished mate
[22:39:07] [Chris_D]: Make sure you put it up tonight...
[00:42:32] [Chris_D]: Munro
[01:06:59] [Chris_D]: Munro, is that review going up now?
[18:51:57] [Chris_D]: Munro!
[19:11:19] [Chris_D]: Munro, you got a moment to put that review up now so we can get the word out and stuff?
[20:11:18] [Chris_D]: Munro?
[20:23:27] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:27] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:28] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:28] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:28] [Chris_D]: Munro
[21:07:52] [Chris_D]: Munro! :/
[21:49:14] [Chris_D]: ...

i..... ;(

....back to cs!

 

[Chris D]

That never happened! :O

 

[Nex321]

LOL!

6char

 

[al_peggio]

[22:38:34] [Chris_D]: CS:S review finished mate
[22:39:07] [Chris_D]: Make sure you put it up tonight...
[00:42:32] [Chris_D]: Munro
[01:06:59] [Chris_D]: Munro, is that review going up now?
[18:51:57] [Chris_D]: Munro!
[19:11:19] [Chris_D]: Munro, you got a moment to put that review up now so we can get the word out and stuff?
[20:11:18] [Chris_D]: Munro?
[20:23:27] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:27] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:28] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:28] [Chris_D]: Munro
[20:23:28] [Chris_D]: Munro
[21:07:52] [Chris_D]: Munro! :/
[21:49:14] [Chris_D]: ...

i..... ;(

....back to cs!

hehe, can't stop playing aye?? :cheese:

 

[Methias]

CS: Source would be a good game to me if they had done anything to update the gameplay. As far as I can tell, it is exactly the same. And the overall graphical improvement was implemented in a completely predictable way.

I don't understand why they don't take the CS concept and run with it a little. They should implement standard game types like capture the flag, deathmatch, team deathmatch, domination, etc. etc. I don't think it would do anything to hurt the integrity of the already existing gameplay and it would only draw in new players that don't really go for the one-life-per-round game model. I've played CS a few times over the years and there's definitely something that I love about it. The atmosphere is totally solid. The artwork is great. The sounds are great. The feel of the guns is great. I've never been able to get into it though. Because I can't stand waiting 1-2 (and even 3-4) minutes after I die to respawn. And I don't think I'm alone. There's plenty of people out there that like more constant, steady action. And it's silly that they should be kept from enjoying the excellent things that Counter-Strike has to offer because of a few lines of code.

 

[Mr. Redundant]

CS: Source would be a good game to me if they had done anything to update the gameplay. As far as I can tell, it is exactly the same. And the overall graphical improvement was implemented in a completely predictable way.

I don't understand why they don't take the CS concept and run with it a little. They should implement standard game types like capture the flag, deathmatch, team deathmatch, domination, etc. etc. I don't think it would do anything to hurt the integrity of the already existing gameplay and it would only draw in new players that don't really go for the one-life-per-round game model. I've played CS a few times over the years and there's definitely something that I love about it. The atmosphere is totally solid. The artwork is great. The sounds are great. The feel of the guns is great. I've never been able to get into it though. Because I can't stand waiting 1-2 (and even 3-4) minutes after I die to respawn. And I don't think I'm alone. There's plenty of people out there that like more constant, steady action. And it's silly that they should be kept from enjoying the excellent things that Counter-Strike has to offer because of a few lines of code.

CS:S was initially supposed to be a project to see how easy it was to use the porting tools by valve.

the reason they dont expand on it is (im assuming here) probably so that they have the option open to make cs2

the game is exactly the same as 1.6 on hl1.. but it was supposed to be, its what they were going for.. it was just a graphically sexed up Port.

valve also said that they would be introducing new gameplay modes.

however that does nothing for us as of this moment

 

[Gorgon]

89% hmmmmmmm ?

 

[Gunner]

"Yes, even more people will be devastated than when Icarus went on a banning spree and wiped out half of the United States. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there is no chicken in Italy."

Hah!

Great review Chris_D :thumbs:

 

[Mujuro]

Nice review mate.

 

[Lemonking]

cool very cool

 

[Harryz]

Well written. Two thumbs up, good read even if you have it,

 

[Methias]

valve also said that they would be introducing new gameplay modes.

however that does nothing for us as of this moment

Whoa, really?? That's awesome if true .

 

[Mr. Redundant]

Whoa, really?? That's awesome if true .

well scenario types and things... at least according to the video interview at gamespot.

 

[Letters]

Aye, good stuff.


And no, you're not the only one being fussy about the "bouncy" physics.

 

[lans]

Fair review. Well written. Appropriate score.

I suggest better shots, those are too stretched. The game looks MUCH better than that in motion.

 

[Chris D]

Fair review. Well written. Appropriate score.

I suggest better shots, those are too stretched and don't have AA. The game looks MUCH better than that in motion.

They're just preview shots. When the gallery is back up we'll have better quality ones.

Thanks for the nice comments guys

 

[Homie]

Chris_D i love your review except one thing next time right your review with less words. :naughty:
Anyways i loved review

 

[Chris D]

Chris_D i love your review except one thing next time right your review with less words. :naughty:
Anyways i loved review

Hehe - read my other articles. They're waaaaay too short.

 

[Quixat]

Bananas, Chickens?...pffft, three cheers for the Watermelons! :cheers: What's more fun than watching those big juicy melons blow! Take a break from your terrorist skirmish to kick them around with your teammates, or roll them through the streets of Italy for sniper bait! What sniper can resist giving away his position to anihilate the big melon and create the mess that ensues? Or just throw a grenade into the market and witness the glorious produce carnage! :bounce:

 

[KagePrototype]

It's a decent piece of writing. The first paragraph made me gag a bit, and you need to learn to control the pace a bit more (sometimes you just drag on too much ) but otherwise it was good, fair review. I suggest you avoid those overly-long introductory paragraphs and just get straight to the point though; it drags on so long that it puts people off reading it (I read up to around the second line and just skipped the whole thing out of impatience).

 

[Element Alpha]

Good review. I like it. Good score, 89% - I think it's right on the spot. I'm sure they'll add the other maps as well as the chicken later on.

Munro, I've got to ask:

Where did you learn to play like that? You're like the angel of death or something.

"BAM - you're dead - Munro was here"

edit:

I suggest you avoid those overly-long introductory paragraphs and just get straight to the point though; it drags on so long that it puts people off reading it (I read up to around the second line and just skipped the whole thing out of impatience).

Nah, it's fine. Real fanboys (like me) even read it twice!

 

[Chris D]

Good review. I like it. Good score, 89% - I think it's right on the spot. I'm sure they'll add the other maps as well as the chicken later on.

Munro, I've got to ask:

Where did you learn to play like that? You're like the angel of death or something.

"BAM - you're dead - Munro was here"

edit:

Nah, it's fine. Real fanboys (like me) even read it twice!

Some writers even read it 8 times and still get it wrong!

 

[DuB]

Nice article - and i'd score it similarly.
ONE thing about the physics beeing bouncy.
I had that notion too at the start... but then when a barrel rolled at me and pushed me back a tiny bit... well that's like in real life. I then had to think to myself that maybe I was just to used to "older games" and so just was'nt used to the fact that stuff affects my charachter...
for example in farcry when a barrel rolls towards you and hits you. It just stops... and does'nt really affect you.
Just a rant

 

[CrazyHarij]

Great work, Chris! I personally found the review abit "jumpy" so to speak, but I bet people, especially those without the game, will find it very useful.

 

[Turko]

The game is the same as 1.6 but when playing the feel of the game is alot different.

 

[perrkele]

Very well written, Chris_D, you gave it a fair score. There really are some bugs that need to be fixed, but I'm sure in a couple of months, the game is already much better. Just look at CS:CZ and how much it has changed after its release.

One thing almost made me want to scream, though. You mentioned that CS:S is missing the old classics like assault and militia, but what about the "proper" maps such as train, nuke and inferno? Those are the ones I (and many others eager to play matches) want to see as soon as possible!

EDIT: Holy crip, I'm a crapple! No wait, a bullsquid!

 

[SubKamran]

No chickens? This...is...an...OUTRAGE! :flame:



Only joking. But it is dissapointing.

 

[Quixat]

CS: Source would be a good game to me if they had done anything to update the gameplay. As far as I can tell, it is exactly the same. And the overall graphical improvement was implemented in a completely predictable way.

I don't understand why they don't take the CS concept and run with it a little. They should implement standard game types like capture the flag, deathmatch, team deathmatch, domination, etc. etc. I don't think it would do anything to hurt the integrity of the already existing gameplay and it would only draw in new players that don't really go for the one-life-per-round game model. I've played CS a few times over the years and there's definitely something that I love about it. The atmosphere is totally solid. The artwork is great. The sounds are great. The feel of the guns is great. I've never been able to get into it though. Because I can't stand waiting 1-2 (and even 3-4) minutes after I die to respawn. And I don't think I'm alone. There's plenty of people out there that like more constant, steady action. And it's silly that they should be kept from enjoying the excellent things that Counter-Strike has to offer because of a few lines of code.

I must concur with my esteemed colleague on all the issues therin and wish to add my voice to the public outcry for more game types! Viva la differance!

 

[Munro]

Munro, I've got to ask:

Where did you learn to play like that? You're like the angel of death or something.

"BAM - you're dead - Munro was here"

I actually suck most the time. I do have 'lucky hours' though where I rack up a score like 39-5. I'm not good at CS it's just that the other team are worse then me

 

[joule]

Great review there guys! Nice screenshots, too!
Keep up the excellence... :thumbs:

 

[~Six~]

CS: Source would be a good game to me if they had done anything to update the gameplay...

i just want to know one thing... did they add a "Lean" key? (i so desperately hope so)

 

[DuB]

no.....

 

[johnnypoopoopant]

haha what munro posted about chris_d was funny but anyways cool review and i like the screenshots :thumbs:

 

[dleidlein]

I'm sure it would be fairly simple to add lean capability to the code, just not for CS

Great review, only nitpick I have is the opening paragraph seemed to start coming off real "fanboyish". *I* ... don't care but I thought, "hmm, some HL2 haters are gonna be all pissy." :upstare:
Meow.

BTW, let it be documented herein that I plan to do a Paintball mod and am looking for workers. Paintball will have lean in it... it just has to.

 

[poofyfinger]

Not to be greedy, but I was expecting a lot more in this Source. Sure, things can be shot and broken, and toppled over, but that will quickly wear off.

Sometimes I was llike ARGGH because I was dead in one match and the remaining players (one CT and one T) were trying to get the bike to stand up and ride it in Italy!! lol.... but arrrgh.

I do have a 5.1 setup as well as a 3.0ghz / 1.0Gb ram and it plays well enuff but I cant get past those graphical settings without CS crashing.

 

[xsjado]

Nice article - and i'd score it similarly.
ONE thing about the physics beeing bouncy.
I had that notion too at the start... but then when a barrel rolled at me and pushed me back a tiny bit... well that's like in real life. I then had to think to myself that maybe I was just to used to "older games" and so just was'nt used to the fact that stuff affects my charachter...
for example in farcry when a barrel rolls towards you and hits you. It just stops... and does'nt really affect you.
Just a rant

Play office, knock over a file cabniet, and try and stand on it. Yeah. I don't think that would happen in real life.

 

[RRunner]

The physics Can be bouncy?
They r bouncy, hate the fact that u can "block" doors on the dust maps, by shooting them into the door openings, it truely annoying to have to jump over them and being pushed back in mid jump (yes you can pass them, but it usually takes more the 1 try). And when you jump up onto a barrel, you magicly find your self inside it, looking just at the frames (feel like im playing Elite on my commodore).
Am I the only 1 who find the model movement shitty? ( I think it was better in 1.6).
Can wait untill they patch this thing!