Counter-Strike: Source

 PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10297 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8,950 out of 10297
  2. Mixed: 493 out of 10297
  3. Negative: 854 out of 10297
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  1. AntiPro
    Feb 27, 2011
    3
    My online FPS history started with the original UT and later UT3. Both excellent yet strategically void games. Then I tried CS:S for a while, only to conclude that it is simply a broken game: Barely any strategy going on, dominated by aim grunts and rather backward balancing (better players get more weapons and armor?!). But then I hit upon DoD:S and have several hundreds hours of playMy online FPS history started with the original UT and later UT3. Both excellent yet strategically void games. Then I tried CS:S for a while, only to conclude that it is simply a broken game: Barely any strategy going on, dominated by aim grunts and rather backward balancing (better players get more weapons and armor?!). But then I hit upon DoD:S and have several hundreds hours of play time on it now. It feels like CS:S to some extent, but the player base is generally more mature, it's almost perfectly balanced, and encourages strategy and thought a lot more. I was awful at DoD:S for quite a while, but at least I wanted to keep playing during that time, where CS:S continuously managed to make me angry. It's a pity that DoD:S never got the wide market appeal that it deserves, even though the game is excellent without it too of course.… Expand
  2. thebrunfail
    Dec 27, 2011
    3
    the shooting mechanics are good, but the plot and chracter development are absolutely minimal, which i didnt think was valves style. alot of the plot doesnt make any sense, really poor effort there :(
  3. RickyH
    May 11, 2006
    2
    To many glitches, and its way ahead of its time. You all should have tested this game better befor releaseing it to the public. Not to mention the fact that 1.6 is and always will be the better cs game.
  4. MartinM.
    May 6, 2006
    2
    The only thing that is better than in usual counter-strike, are the graphics and physics. It makes me sad, that you have no chances in this game if you do not have 4000 USD right now to buy a super-computer. Also there is a huge hitbox bug, as you can see in this video:
    http://media.putfile.com/css_hit_b0x_bb
  5. LewisW.
    Feb 9, 2008
    2
    They Should rename it Camper-Strike, it takes too long to learn to play this game well and the fact that you cant respawn makes it the most frustrating game in the world. Imagine walking out of the spawn zone to be shot in the head without ahving chance to react, then you wait 5 minutes to come back to life so they can do it again!
  6. Rickybright
    Apr 20, 2008
    2
    In and of itself the game is not bad. The major problems come from the fact that the developers seem to have tried to balance the game backwards. They give the better players an advantage, how will that ever create a balanced game. That, and the fact that you spend about 90% of the game watching someone else play pretty much ruin it.
  7. AnonymousMC
    Nov 14, 2006
    2
    I do not know, what i have to think, instead of the fact, that "Steam" really ruins this game. As i bought this game, i was really happy to possess this game, i know CS, and i have seen a lot before the release. But, as i installed CS:S, the first thing i hate was Steam. After Install it first have to Update for more than 6 hours with 48KB/s (DSL-Lite User)... anyone think about theI do not know, what i have to think, instead of the fact, that "Steam" really ruins this game. As i bought this game, i was really happy to possess this game, i know CS, and i have seen a lot before the release. But, as i installed CS:S, the first thing i hate was Steam. After Install it first have to Update for more than 6 hours with 48KB/s (DSL-Lite User)... anyone think about the modem-user? After a long while i was able to play it and the next failure of this game, better said at "Steam", was the fact, that the player isn't able to switch to "Offline-Mode" manually by changing it in any menu. Instead of that, i really have to block my internet to play CS:S offline without lags or nasty pings, 'cause i do not have the best connection all day. (Trust me, even if you play alone against bots, CS:S works over the internet and you have to fight also against ping/lags).

    The only things, that could rescue CS:S for me:
    1. A direct Download to an Updatepackage, so i do not have to update this game per steam every time i reinstall it.
    2.It may be brilliant that at any day there is an Steamupdate, which adds a button to switch to Offline mode. So i do not have to disconnect to the Internet before playing CS:S... (or easily a normal LAN-Mode for CS:S, which automatically works outside of the I-net ;D)    … Expand
  8. AnonymousMC
    Mar 25, 2006
    2
    An ok game, a above average shooter, but since they removed all of the things like being able to shoot through walls, made every gun accurate and basically made it even more simple than it was, it lost "counter-strike" somewhere and became "CT vs T shooter". The extra physics are pointless (like the barrels that you "bounce" off) should be removed as they are pointless and just slow thingsAn ok game, a above average shooter, but since they removed all of the things like being able to shoot through walls, made every gun accurate and basically made it even more simple than it was, it lost "counter-strike" somewhere and became "CT vs T shooter". The extra physics are pointless (like the barrels that you "bounce" off) should be removed as they are pointless and just slow things down. ALso, the maps made of "glass" were in CS1.6 so you don't nede source to play them!. Still gets points for being a ok generic shooter… Expand
  9. ShaneR.
    May 13, 2006
    2
    Disappointing, I expected more from the source mods overall, game play has been limited from 1.6 in both cs and dod. CS:S is a port and nothing more and still suffers from that same problems of hackers/scriptkiddies as well as unbalanced weapons. I wasn't a fan of cs before the port but now its just a joke. I stick to DoD:s and when i play CS:S i still have a chance even though the Disappointing, I expected more from the source mods overall, game play has been limited from 1.6 in both cs and dod. CS:S is a port and nothing more and still suffers from that same problems of hackers/scriptkiddies as well as unbalanced weapons. I wasn't a fan of cs before the port but now its just a joke. I stick to DoD:s and when i play CS:S i still have a chance even though the game play is so different. Where are all the benefits of the physics and materials that were being showed off in the demos?… Expand
  10. NathanFreeman
    May 28, 2006
    2
    A community that is a cancer to all other video game communities: rampant racism, profanity, gay-bashing, and grotesque celebration of recently aquired cursing skills all lead to a gameplay experience equivilant to riding in the back of a Jr. Highschool bus. When the 13 year olds finally decide to "branch out" into other games, they demand that it be changed to a clone of CS, most notablyA community that is a cancer to all other video game communities: rampant racism, profanity, gay-bashing, and grotesque celebration of recently aquired cursing skills all lead to a gameplay experience equivilant to riding in the back of a Jr. Highschool bus. When the 13 year olds finally decide to "branch out" into other games, they demand that it be changed to a clone of CS, most notably demanding 1 shot sniper kills on all sniper rifles. Cutting edge gameplay... from 8 years ago. Terrible balance issues. Terrible pacing issues. No iron sights. No fire and manuever game play (run and gun is NOT fire and manuever). No team work. Small levels. No room/ cover to flank. Graphics and sound are the only things that kept me from giving this scourge a 1.… Expand
  11. ruilago
    Feb 20, 2008
    2
    I play this game and i feel among this years that this comunity is very bad, along with the fact that at the begining of the game their font code was robeed and is at the web for anyone yo wanna buy it, and valve2 anticheat system is so por makes this game a cheating paradise, when you buy this game cheats are among the pack, lol, and in the web to all, thanks once more for another gameI play this game and i feel among this years that this comunity is very bad, along with the fact that at the begining of the game their font code was robeed and is at the web for anyone yo wanna buy it, and valve2 anticheat system is so por makes this game a cheating paradise, when you buy this game cheats are among the pack, lol, and in the web to all, thanks once more for another game like this, it will be the last multiplayer online i will ever buy again till someone present a true anticheat, regards… Expand
  12. OmbarK.
    Apr 1, 2008
    2
    I have never ever been so disappointed with a game in all my gaming life. Seriously this game is slow paced and is entirely made for campers, the friggin' en. On top of it luck decides pretty much everything even for pros since there's NO AIM DOWN THE SIGHT EXCEPT FOR SNIPES, SERIOUSLY WTF? If you want a good FPS that's fast paced and relies on skill, go buy call of duty I have never ever been so disappointed with a game in all my gaming life. Seriously this game is slow paced and is entirely made for campers, the friggin' en. On top of it luck decides pretty much everything even for pros since there's NO AIM DOWN THE SIGHT EXCEPT FOR SNIPES, SERIOUSLY WTF? If you want a good FPS that's fast paced and relies on skill, go buy call of duty I've had so much with it. All that CSS brought me was frustration and waiting for next rounds cause a dude got a lucky headshot, will forever be my worst buy I guess I just can't see what good people see in it and no I haven't played CS 1.6.… Expand
  13. Ziv
    May 17, 2006
    2
    Grafix: 10/10 Exellent grafix! Physics: 6/10 It is better then cs1.6 but still not close to HL2 GamePlay: 4/10 Lost the CS touch. Toolz: 4/10 Bad weapon balance ,No tactical shield ,Need new weapons Maps: 2/10 Littel new maps from valve must are just remakes Hackers: 2/10 Way too many hackers! Lag: 0/10 The updates take way way too long!!! PC Needs: 2/10 For a game like this one it sure Grafix: 10/10 Exellent grafix! Physics: 6/10 It is better then cs1.6 but still not close to HL2 GamePlay: 4/10 Lost the CS touch. Toolz: 4/10 Bad weapon balance ,No tactical shield ,Need new weapons Maps: 2/10 Littel new maps from valve must are just remakes Hackers: 2/10 Way too many hackers! Lag: 0/10 The updates take way way too long!!! PC Needs: 2/10 For a game like this one it sure demands too alot! ,Too much if you ask me!(And sens your reading this I think you are xD) Players/Servers: 6/10 Need more servers and not nearly as many players as in CS1.6 Now this might not end up with a 2/10 but the update time takes them all(especially sens I`m waiting for an update to finish right now...)… Expand
  14. KanaK.
    Jun 17, 2006
    2
    FPS with a potential, however the elitist 12 year old players, cheaters and whatnot, and the potential instability of source engine destroy the game.
  15. FelipeC.
    Jul 11, 2006
    2
    The game is show! but a protection of cheaters in the game is fail again!
  16. Sh4rP
    May 6, 2011
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game used to ROCK. But valve is always trying to make this game even better by updating all its content. This game doesn't make any sense since 2010. Valve, continue the bad work and you are going to see many players quitting and nobody buying this game. UNFORTUNATELY.… Expand
  17. DennoCoil
    Jun 13, 2011
    2
    Quite possibly the most OVERRATED game of all time.

    This game defies all logic to me as to how this game got this high amount of positive reviews from anybody. Even if all the problems I'm going to list can be fixed, other games, like the Modern Warfare series for example, have already done the same thing CS:S has been doing and much better. The points below are here to summarize my    Quite possibly the most OVERRATED game of all time.

    This game defies all logic to me as to how this game got this high amount of positive reviews from anybody. Even if all the problems I'm going to list can be fixed, other games, like the Modern Warfare series for example, have already done the same thing CS:S has been doing and much better. The points below are here to summarize my gripes about this game and my overall experience.

    -The menuguncharacter selection system is uselessbroken.-
    When you first enter a servermap, you will get the usual welcome screen followed by a generic shadow board showing if you want to join the Counter-Terrorist (CT) or Terrorist (T) side. The only thing you will want to see on this page is whether you're on one of the 2 ONLY game modes in the game, Bomb Defense or Hostage Rescue.

    Character selection is just very generic character models including 1 out of place SNOW terrorist who you will never use in the majority of maps. (You can't use them for movie making either, they don't have face bonesposing, something standard in every Valve game.)

    After choosing a character, you'll immediately go into the game, BUT FIRST you have to buy your weapons. How? Pressing the B button in the short amount of time when the round starts in the small spawn or you can't buy anything. Each time you select a weapon, the menu closes, so if you have to get a bunch of equipment, be prepared to to go into it A LOT. You can't make money either unless you kill other players or complete objectives, making it difficult to acquire moneyweaponsvests.

    Much of the notes spread throughout the Menus aren't important at all and will just be a waste of time to read.

    Even those who love this game will say not to bother with the menus and just start binding keys to buy weapons, a very tedious job.

    -Difficult as hell You're not the target audience!-
    This game was made for the obsessive compulsive, tourney-league players you hear about.

    The guns are difficult to use with hitboxes, bullet paths, and cross-hairs never being where you think they might be. No joke, I had to double check replays, spectating, and forums to find out that to get a headshot with the AK-47, YOU HAD TO AIM ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF SOMEONES HEAD BY A FOOT. I'm not making this up, a lot of people are having problems trying to find out WHERE to shoot there guns, even CS:S fans having arguments on how to use them.

    They can shoot straight, but your cross-hairs are fairly useless with a lot of bullets shooting outside the box if you fire too many rounds.

    Free tip, "always take out the combat knife for maximum speed..." Why? Who knows.

    There is no such thing as team work in any server. You're on your own.

    Standing still is ill-advised unless you're sniping since EVERY HIT YOU TAKE SLOWS DOWN YOUR SPEED BY HALF.

    No health re-filling of any kind either; no medkits, regen, or buyable upgrades. Once you die, you're dead for the round, which can take several minutes to complete.

    Both game modes are essentially the same, they're the "Hard-core Search and Destroy"Arena-type mode you see very few people playing on any other video game and usually played by the 'l33t skills' type of people who can headshot across a map with a pistol.

    Majority of the maps look like crap, like no one even bothers to fill or design most of them with objects to make things pop out and interesting to be in. Some should say "Map Design by Minecraft!"

    -It gets worse-
    THIS GAME HAS A TON OF HACKERS!

    To put this in perspective, I have 1100 hours in Team Fortress 2 and found 8 obvious hackers. In CS:S, I found 5 highly suspicious players, 3 confirmed, and A ENTIRE SERVER OF PEOPLE HACKING IN 8 HOURS! Skyward bunny hopping, aim-bots, speed hacks, they're the norm. It's no wonder when you have a game made for Tourney players being hacked so much, too many people suck and don't care about the Steam account ban.

    The population of the game is between ages of 8 - 20 and is the most annoying type of people you could find. Turn off the headset so your ears won't bleed too.

    There is no such thing as team work or help in any public server, you're on your own

    -The upside?-

    Some maps don't looks bad for there age.

    Gun models look okay.

    ...Very difficult to even come up with anything nice to say.
    -Conclusion- This game is **** awful. Avoid Counter-Strike: Source like the plague and you'll be a happier person in life for doing so. There is almost no redeeming value in this game. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!    … Expand
  18. Soup2504
    Sep 13, 2011
    2
    I got this game a while ago when it was ony $5, it was my first cs game, and it wasnt even worth $5. I have since then moved over to cs 1.6, and im glad i did. CS:S is just... no.CS:S..... this game is too easy, too boring, too stupid, and too child filled. it has less recoil, ESPECIALLY on the m4, resulting in that gun being OP, the maps are smaller in height, the player models areI got this game a while ago when it was ony $5, it was my first cs game, and it wasnt even worth $5. I have since then moved over to cs 1.6, and im glad i did. CS:S is just... no.CS:S..... this game is too easy, too boring, too stupid, and too child filled. it has less recoil, ESPECIALLY on the m4, resulting in that gun being OP, the maps are smaller in height, the player models are larger, the hitboxes are easier, and its just pathetic. the maps are just eye candy, and physics... i like the physics, but they scatter the most random **** around the map to get the point across taht there is a physics engine, and instead of being something cool or interesting, they just get in your way and annoy the **** out of you. the gameplay is boring, the game is easy, its filled with kids, and the game just bombs its legendary background from 1.6. this really was an uneccesary "downgrade" to an already perfect game. it couldve been half decent like dod:s, but it isnt. If you want to get into the cs fad, get the original, the only reason i would reccomend this game is for gmod content.… Expand
  19. iAGR
    Nov 17, 2011
    2
    The game is okay as long as you are mentally retarded. This game is the definition of boring. In it's entirety it doesn't even face any competitive means nor the vibe of unlocking something new. I wouldn't want to compare Battlefield 3 to such a mediocre game, but I have to since they both share the boring gameplay. A gamer doesn't want to stick with the same boring crap throughout theThe game is okay as long as you are mentally retarded. This game is the definition of boring. In it's entirety it doesn't even face any competitive means nor the vibe of unlocking something new. I wouldn't want to compare Battlefield 3 to such a mediocre game, but I have to since they both share the boring gameplay. A gamer doesn't want to stick with the same boring crap throughout the entire game, they want something new. That is why Call of Duty is the best and I have no idea why people would still play this horsecrap.… Expand
  20. SamuelMartin
    Aug 2, 2009
    1
    This game failed at improving counter-strike as the competitive game it should be. It lacks the feel and the competitiveness that goldsrc counter-strike has. The graphics don't make up for it (heck, they don't even update css to the latest source engine version). Hopefully the guys at cspromod will make a better job.
  21. JamesP.
    Jul 25, 2006
    1
    The engine is too choppy. mainly because the game was designed around a graphics engine not a physics engine. The game just doent feel right. It looks nice, just runs very bad. one of the worse fps games to date.
  22. JayP.
    Sep 5, 2006
    1
    since steam was part of CS ive been havin problems with speed.. disconnecting randomly, keeps freezing, no point of playin the game i got sick and tired of it, now i hear CS Source is out and read the reviews about how they r having the same problems.. just bring back 1.5 nd get rid of steam, the game was fun until they messed eveyrthing up.
  23. MattS.
    Apr 4, 2006
    1
    This is a terrible remake and has lost the CS feel, it is just like any another FPS now. When will people learn it takes more that eye candy and realism to make a great game. There are significantly less people playing source than the original. Enough said.
  24. BigBenMarkly
    Jul 16, 2006
    1
    This game is OK for casual players, but if you are competitive than it is a total waste as Counter-Strike 1.6 is where most of the community is still at.

    There are many bugs in Source that make it impossible to play competitively for the most part, one of them being the ability to block a door with a gun, or prevent a bomb defusal with a a defuse kit. Sound weird? Yeah, that's    This game is OK for casual players, but if you are competitive than it is a total waste as Counter-Strike 1.6 is where most of the community is still at.

    There are many bugs in Source that make it impossible to play competitively for the most part, one of them being the ability to block a door with a gun, or prevent a bomb defusal with a a defuse kit. Sound weird? Yeah, that's because it is.

    It's ok if you want to pub around and just want to have fun. But in terms of being a "port to the HL2 engine," it fails miserably.

    I would give it a 5, but I think the meta score needs to be brought down a lot so I'm going to give it a 1, though it's a "5" quality game.    … Expand
  25. LuisR.
    Jan 25, 2008
    1
    Counter Strike is the best online game ever!
  26. (Anonymus)
    Jan 6, 2009
    1
    This game has bad graphic,and the gameplay offer nothing new and the only good thing about this game is that there is no problem finding server and it is so many noobs so it is fun watching. I want to give this game a 0 but, i cant stop laugh when the noobish players running around and team-killing so i give it a 1.
  27. BraddT.
    May 6, 2006
    1
    While updating the graphics Valve lost everything that made Counter-strike 1.6 so fantastic. While the game looks good it lacks the gameplay that made its predecessor so successful. A pretty but poor game that rides on the successor of the far superior game it followed.
  28. NotReal
    Aug 10, 2006
    1
    Horrible Graphics worst FPS of all time, people in the game are immature and rude. I give it 1/10 the game is just horrible.
  29. MarkV.
    Jan 14, 2007
    1
    An extremely poor attempt at recreating a classic title that still out performs it to this very day (Coutner-Strike 1.6). If this was a stand alone game under a different title, it would be moderately decent... but because it uses the Counter-Strike name, it fails to live up to expectations. Everything that made the original counter-strike so great is gone, even the famed money system has An extremely poor attempt at recreating a classic title that still out performs it to this very day (Coutner-Strike 1.6). If this was a stand alone game under a different title, it would be moderately decent... but because it uses the Counter-Strike name, it fails to live up to expectations. Everything that made the original counter-strike so great is gone, even the famed money system has been nerfed in Source. If you are looking for a game to test your new computer, buy Half-Life 2... if you are looking for a game that lasts, that has skill, fun, and an insanely large community... go with Counter-Strike 1.6, not Counter-Strike: Source. You will thank me later.… Expand
  30. Michelgrandpa
    Jul 7, 2007
    1
    fucked up game wats this fucking recoil IT SUCKS OMG... you cant even shoot someone fucking crap shit

    AND NOW YOU CANT PLAY THE GAME wtff... dude common yeh sorryr the game is unavalble at the moment please try later fuck you i got a day free and even cant play fucking CRAP GAME AND STEAM SUCKS!!!!!!!!
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2004
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
7
#7 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 1UP
    90
    The game looks more beautiful than ever, with structures that feel weighty and solid and little visual touches throughout. The flash-bangs look fantastic.
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  2. Gamers Europe
    85
    Valve has done a sterling job of moving a flagship franchise over to a new engine. Whilst the gameplay guts come over correct and intact, (which may disappoint some), Counter-Strike: Source is an even more engrossing and captivating experience, capable of sapping hours of your time, and even the worst "1337 g33zers" abusing voice chat can't spoil the fun you'll have with it.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    Counter-Strike: Source is, once you've gained a knack for it, the most consistently rewarding and surprising team-based shoot-'em-up available on the PC today. It's been dressed up nicely for its relaunch in 2004, but it wasn't broken, and Valve hasn't fixed it.
    Read full review
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