Image: Valve
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has finally been replaced by its brand-new sequel on Steam.
Valve has officially launched Counter-Strike 2 on Steam today, permanently replacing its beloved predecessor Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on the platform. Judging by Valve's goodbyes to the iconic multiplayer shooter on X/Twitter, it looks like the era of CS:GO is now over for good.
Fortunately, its replacement looks very much up to par. Counter-Strike 2 brings the series into the Source 2 engine with several upgrades in tow. Maps, weapons and character models look a lot prettier, though player cosmetics will carry forward for those unwilling to part with their current gun skins. Besides the graphical makeover, a few tweaks have been made to gameplay to change things up. Smoke grenades behave a lot differently in this game for example, as they expel volumetric smoke that can be penetrated using gunfire.
Here are the new features Valve has listed on the game’s Steam listing:
- All-new CS Ratings with the updated Premier mode
- Global and Regional leaderboards
- Upgraded and overhauled maps
- Game-changing dynamic smoke grenades
- Tick-rate-independent gameplay
- Redesigned visual effects and audio
- All items from CS:GO moving forward to CS2
Some maps have received more significant updates than others for the new release. For example, Dust 2 remains mostly unchanged besides its new look, but maps like Overpass have been overhauled with rearranged obstacles and choke points for new tactical opportunities. Weapon audio has also been redone to sound more realistic and impactful, and the tick-rate-independent gameplay allows for more responsive and accurate plays with minimal lag. Anyone who's been keeping up with Valve's limited test for Counter-Strike 2 will know that all of these features have been tested for months on end now, with new versions of old maps being rotated and adjusted following player feedback.
Here's the launch map pool you have to look forward to:
- Mirage
- Overpass
- Vertigo
- Ancient
- Inferno
- Nuke
- Anubis
- Dust 2*
- Office*
- Italy*
Dust 2, Office and Italy will not be available in competitive modes for now, however. This last week was your final chance to experience these maps in their original form, as CS:GO is no longer downloadable on Steam. Much like Overwatch 2, Valve has opted to keep most of the core experience intact and allow players to carry over their cosmetics by replacing the previous game entirely, instead of running them side-by-side. Counter-Strike 2 will likely be no less successful for it, but you might want to pop over to Steam and update your now-outdated review for the sequel.
Counter-Strike 2 is free-to-play and now available to download on Steam. Here are the game’s release notes, for your perusal.