User Reviews (1 - 11 of 248)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

The best mod, and soon to be game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 66 / 75
Date: October 14, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Snap that Unreal Tournament CD, cuz you'll never play it again! Counter-Strike is the most played online game ever, having more players than Quake3 and Unreal Tournament "combined", and boasting over 2000+ servers! It made the two year old Half-Life the most played game, but still, CS's playerbase is the largest!

Now, let's get into the game! It's a counter-terrorism game, allowing you to be a terrorist (T) or a counter-terrorist (CT), picking 4 different models per team, each having 144 realistic animations, you can see them reload for god sakes! You take part in realistic locations: Las Vegas, The Aztecs, Italy, The Middle-east, oil rigs, hotels, militia compounds, and many more! You are involved in many scenarios, such as bomb defusion (de_), where terrorists must plant a bomb in any of the two bomb points, where as CTs must eliminate the Ts, or defuse the bomb if planted to win. There is hostage rescue (cs_) where terrorists must hold hostages for a period of time and CTs must get the hostages and bring them to the rescue point, and, there is Assination (as_), where the terrorists must assassinate a VIP which is being escorted by the CTs to one of the two escape points. In all situations, eliminating the whole team will win the game, unless it's in a defuse situation and the bomb has been planted, the CTs must defuse it in time or the terrorists win.

You fight out with realistic weapons with highly detailed models such as the MP5, M4A1 Carbine, AK-47, a SEAL knife, 3 types of grenades, or a Glock 18. You get money to buy better weapons by killing enemies or completing certain tasks. You are able to hold only one primary, one secondary, one knife, and 4 grenades (with their own limits to certain types). You can also buy armor, defuse kits, or nightvision goggles.

Also, no more respawining in this game. Nope, you get killed, you go into "ghost" mode for the rest of the round, and must wait until a team wins until you play again in the next round. Take note that you can't withstand 50+ bullets, or pick up med kits. Nope, takes about 4-6 shots to die, and a headshot kills instantly.

Also, teamplay plays a big role in here. Run around like a wacko in Quake, you most certainly die. You can't run 50MPH like in most shooters, and a lot of times using stealth and taking cover plays a major role in succeeding. Also, using a handy radio very similar to that of Tribes will allow you to communicate with your teammates and give them orders, such as "Cover Me." or "Go! Go! Go!".

Well, the latest version is 7.1 Beta, the last beta probably. Go download this incredible mod, you will not regret it.

BEST. GAME. EVER. MADE. PERIOD. Repeat Ad Nausem.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 58 / 65
Date: November 22, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Think I'm joking? Maybe this is all hype, and I'm just talking trash? Consider this: as we speak, more people are playing Counter-Strike on the Internet than all other 3D action games COMBINED. That includes Quake 3, Unreal Tournament, and Tribes. And it's been that way for months and months. The amazing thing is that Counter-Strike(CS) started out as just another free mod on the Web, created mostly by 1 person. CS is a grass-roots kinda movement, and it reached its popularity by word-of-mouth, and by simply being fun and addictive.

So if this is a free game, over a year old, than what exactly are you paying for? The original Half-Life is universally called the most entertaining and important game of the past 3 years. It was also made in such a way that anyone could add their own rules and artwork to it, and basically change the entire game. Thus, hundreds of "mods" (modifications) popped up, available for free on the Web. HL: Counter-Strike gives you access to these free mods without paying extra for the single-player parts. The best ones are included on the CD so you don't have to download them, including Team Fortress Classic, OpFor Deathmatch, and the insanely popular Counter-Strike. It's like getting 5 games in one. Also, if you play with a regular 56.6 modem, this game has a special network system that evens the odds against DSL and Cable modem users.

Of the 4 or 5 games included, Counter-Strike is on the cover for a reason - it is so unbelievably fun and addicting, it's almost like Tetris for 3D shooters. CS is very similiar to Rainbow Six, a Terrorist vs. Counter-Terrorist game, only CS never lets realism get in the way of fun (many people switch from R6 and never go back!). The matches are fast and exciting, and unlike other team-based games, CS makes working with total strangers necessary and obvious. You are REWARDED for working together, and quickly punished if you try to jump out by yourself. The maps take place in airports, mansions, Las Vegas, the Middle-east, warehouses - just about everywhere - and they are amazingly strategic and complex. What's more, CS has different types of matchs, like hostage rescue or assasination or bomb defusion, which change the entire pace of each match.

Buy this NOW. See what you've been missing.

Get Addicted

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 60 / 71
Date: March 13, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I hate to admit it, but this game has made me scream at my monitor so violently- my family thought I was insane! Its *that* intense.

Counter-strike is as competitive as any sport, and as nerve-wracking as a war. Prepare to think, react, and work as a team... your survival will depend upon it.

Created as a free add-on for the already legendary Half-Life, CS has quickly risen to claim the title of `most popular online action game' with a fan-base that easily dwarfs such big-budget names as Quake III and Unreal Tournament by staggering numbers!

Play as a terrorist or counter-terrorist as your team strives to complete its predetermined objectives- such as rescuing a group of hostages or planting a bomb. Based upon your success in these missions, you will be rewarded money to buy better guns, armor, and equipment at the start of each round. For unlike other first-person shooters, such things aren't spawned all over the place.

Buy smoke bombs to cover your movement. Throw flash grenades to blind your enemy. Control vast areas of the board with a sniper rifle. There are many different strategies -but play very carefully; because each player can only die once per round, and there are no `health packs' to be found. When you die, you simply wait and watch the other players until time runs out, or one of the two teams are victorious.

It all combines for an unforgettable game! Get addicted right away! If you have Half-Life already (And who doesn't?), than you can download this game for free. If not, then this bundle is truly worth your looking into, because as of right now- there is no better online game out there! What are you waiting for?

-Make sure you have a very fast connection however... Otherwise you will be taking a lot of dirt-naps. But every PC gamer should have a cable modem by now anyway!

Could be 4 1/2 stars, but has several problems

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 36 / 38
Date: March 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Counter-strike is THE most popular action multiplayer game today. After playing it for awhile, you'll begin to see why it is. With literally tens of thousands of players each moment, there is an endless amount of public servers to play on. Even while playing on a 56k modem, it is not (that) hard to be good at this game. With three different scenarios, hostage rescue, defuse/plant bomb, and assassination, there's a flavor for each and every person's preference. The many different guns and equipment add to the fun as well. Whether you're dominating as a counter-terrorist with a m4a1 colt, tearing up the opposition as a terrorist with an AK-47, or mowing down enemies in one shot with the AWM sniper rifle, you get a rush each and every moment. Nothing's like entering the hallway in de_dust with your trusty mp5, having flashbangs, smoke grenades, and explosive grenades explode all around you as you and your teammates try to stop the terrorists trying to plant the bomb. Or having snipers tracing your every move as you try to rescue the hostages in cs_assault by entering through the vents. Incredible sound tracks every thundering of the awm being shot, or the small echos of footsteps above and around you. Counter-Strike is not by ANY means a deathmatching game. Just try going off by yourself, even armed with a m249 para machine gun fully armored against the other squad. You won't last 10 seconds without backup from your teammates. If you think that you will be able to do this, then you'll find yourself in ghost mode a lot. Teamplay is a major element in Counter-Strike, and makes the game a lot more fun.

However, there are several problems that can occur in your counter-strike playing experience.

1. Immature players - aka "llamas". Players who yell and scream and curse everytime you kill them. Players who feel like they can deathmatch their way through CS without teammates and dominate the server. Can be a big problem on servers.

2. Cheaters - cheaters are somewhat common on CS, whether it be very OBVIOUS cheating, such as moving about 100x faster than everyone else, or inconspicuous cheating, such as having automatic aimers, seeing through walls, or making the player models glow like radioactive blobs.

3. Lag - lag will hit all players on CS, whether they be on 56k or DSL, it all depends on the server you play on. So you want to find a server with pretty good latency or you will not be having fun seeing yourself surrounded with players moving like slide show.

Either way, Counter-Strike is very worth every dollar or minute you spend buying or downloading it. If you are a new player, just take your time and maybe spend some time reading some strategies on the forums on the counter-strike webpage. After awhile, you will get the hang of it and really start having fun.

Played this game for 3 years

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 17
Date: July 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I've played this game for 3 years and it still has great replay value esp. if you are a hardcore online 3-D shooter player. The thing that got my attention over playing other popular games like Quake 3 and Unreal was not the graphics but the game style and seemingly less lag I was getting from Quake 3 and Unreal despite having a T3 connection and enough ram to have 2 games running at once and a decent video card to still show the quality of graphics. However, seemingly the lag on Quake 3 and Unreal was such a dissapointment, counter-strike offers it all. The teamplay is important if you decide to join a clan and scrimage other clans. It is also important when joining tournaments to scrim other clans. But that stuff is for the elit players who aim like robots and look like they cheat though they are not.

Basically the game plays out as having your choice to join a team of counter-terrorists who try and complete a mission by either diffusing the bomb or preventing them from planting the bomb by killing the whole terrorist team or rescuing hostages. Whether you rescue hostages or try to diffuse the bomb completely depends upon the map. If you join the good guys you get to choose counter-terrorist weapons such as the colt M16 rifles or the counter part Terrorists get the Ak-47. There are many more guns but these are most used esp. the AWP rifle which kills with one bullet (unless you hit the arm or leg). Each gun has its its advantages and disavantages. For example the M-16 is lighter than the AK so you run and move faster, however it does less damage, you can put a silencer on the rifle (though I never found the silencer useful because they still hear your shots...it just sounds cool with it on). The AK is heavier but the .30 caliber bullets stop anyone in their tracks and does more damage. It is controversial who likes which gun but I personally loved the AK better. People would like the Colt M-16 better because to them it has less recoil upon its first opening bursts making it more accurate. However, I disagree because when you need to go full auto it tends to spray in larger firing patterns than the much heavier AK. It really depends on the person and you need to learn to use all the weapons appropriately and turn the disadvantes to nothing.

Overall I have to say this is one of the best games made. The only 3-D shooter that ranked on my #1 list was Quake 2. (I still miss the grapple hook). As for realism it's not a realistic type combat like Rainbow 6 but who really cares it's a game. I found less realism makes it more fun anyways. (Though R6 is pretty good too).

Some beginner strategies.

1. Always aim for the head since it is an instant kill unless they wear a helmet which prevents instant death but still does huge damage to smaller caliber ammo.
2. Footsteps can be heard more efficiently if you buy a headset. This is used by the pro players because they can tell where people are located and begin fire even before seeing the person. Remember bullets can go through walls and whatever is in the way.
3. Learn to control the recoil. I do not advise going full auto all the time but if you control it you can kill many people at once esp. close range. In general if you need to go full auto begin firing at the head and pull down to the feet. Usually the recoil pattern fires up and the right so you need to pull down and to the left.
4. Burst fire is more accurate so use it often. Use 2 burst shots followed by an accurate 1 burst shot. And always aim for the head.
5. Learn to use the AWP rifle. It is essential in turning the tide. It is a sniper rifle that kills in one shot. The key here is anticipation and good aim. If you become fast and accurate with this weapon plus wielding the overpowering Desert Eagle you can become near invincible. I've killed 12 people with desert eagle and AWP combo when there were 16 on each team which means I killed the whole team except for 4 and thats no easy task.
6. Learn to use the Desert Eagle. It is the most powerful handgun in the game and even deadlier close range (which covers the closer targets that AWP has trouble with since moving screws up AWP aim).
7. Learn to switch effectively from pistol to primary weapon or even a knife for instant humiliation of your enemy.

These are some basic everyday tips and there are many more but the key is playing alot. Dont get flustered if you get beat in alot the first month because everyone gets better.

Counter Strike is not Hostile Take Over (you hired goons)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 17
Date: August 24, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Counterstrike is a multiplayer mod for half-life here 2 team Terrorists and counter-terrorists have to accomplish certain missions, Hostage rescue, bombing a target etc...

It is famed for it realisim and has recently been bought by valve software and this will be the 1st non Beta release.

Play counter-strike and be convinced that counter strike is the best game ever.

Greatest Game Ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: September 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is the greatest game in ever made.Period. It is so adictive you will play for what seems like maybe half an hour and it will have been 4 hours. If anyone is looking for a game based on teamwork and actual skill(unlike sorry games like UT and Q3) then this is the game. There are so many people playing this game that u will never have to worry about trying to find a server...About every 2000 servers has about 20,000 people. What makes the game great is that u need skill to get kills. You cannot just run in kamikaze style and think u can kill all. You will be taken care of within seconds. Instead u must stick with your team and often times just pick off people one at a time. There are very few people who can stay by themselves and not get killed. The weapons are real life ones and are bought through a menu not just given out. This means that if you do not have the money for your favorite weapon u must go with a cheaper one and upgrade the next round. After a while u start to learn exactly how each of the 16 weapons fire. You often times will find yourself or other people searching for a certain weapon that they can not buy(because certain weapons can only be bought by T's or CT's). Also, just like in real life if you hold a weapon trigger down the recoil will make your gun very innacurate, forcing u to shoot in bursts. All these things make the game very fun and deep. It will take a while to master certain guns. The maps in this game are awsome. From bomb planting to hostage rescuing the maps r very well made. Overall this game is excellent. If anyone is looking for a team based action game, get this. If your looking for something extremely real, this is not the game for u. It has real world qualities but does not replicate real life tactics like games such as rogue spear do. If u just want a game that will keep u interested for a long time, get this now.

Horribly addicting...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: June 14, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game several months ago in the hopes that I would find an alternative to my previous favorite game, Rogue Spear. Months later, I have yet to even look at my Rogue Spear. In fact, I can't even fathom going back to it; in comparison to counter-strike, RS seems painfully slow and tedious. CS is now the game I play the most (almost exclusively). But before you get it, here are some helpful facts to know:

First of all, it's (almost) a purely multiplayer game, so you'll need a decent internet connection (preferably a DSL or cable modem or better....some people DO use modems, but there are several servers out there which ban people with high pings (i.e., slow connections) since it slows the whole game down. You can also play over a LAN (which my friends and I do frequently). Note: I said that this is "almost" a purely multi-player game because there are now "bot" programs you can download for free which allow you to play against as many computer opponents as you want (you can also have computer bots on your side PLUS you set the skill level for all bots). I recommend podbot2. Do a search w/ a search engine and you won't have a problem finding it.

Secondly, online gaming can be a trying experience. There is an ever-increasing incidence of cheating (i.e., people using "hacks" that allow them to never miss, or see through walls, or be invisible, etc.). They are difficult to spot, and I've tried to avoid this by downloading a popular anti-cheat program called "Punkbuster" (again, free download off the punkbuster website) and installing it. It won't prevent others from cheating, but it'll allow you to play on "punkbuster-only" servers that require players to have the program installed.

Thirdly, I highly recommend that you buy a NEW version of counter-strike. When I bought this game, I had my friends install it on their computers (you don't need the CD to play), but apparently you are limited as to how many people can use your CD key (each CD has a unique CD key). So when four of us tried to play, at least one person was unable to connect (I'm not sure this was the very reason, but all four of us got our own copies and never encountered this problem again). And if you buy a USED counter-strike disc, there's a chance that there are plenty of prior owners out there, using your key.

Just FYI.

Best Modification made: terms of popularity and fun.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: April 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I dislike action games immensely, unless they are multiplayer. I also dislike Halflife and the Halflife engine aswell. I actually bought Halflife the day it came out, but was unable to finish it due to the amount of boredom it drove me to. The action games which involve strategy, such as Tribes2 or Rainbow Six, are the ones I love. So when I heard, a Rogue Spear type Mod was taking the online gaming community by storm, I was quite pleased. Learning it was based on the Halflife engine, I was skeptical. Upon installing the mod and running it first, I hated it. I found it a bit unrealistic, despite it's premise. However I kept going back to it, to get better, and better. Now I am the leader of my own clan 3 months later. My conclusion is, this game is incredibly addictive. First of all, don't buy the retail version of this game. Purchase Halflife for cheaper, and then download the Counter Strike mod. You can also download Team Fortress Classic, and other mods. Not only will you get more, but you will pay less. The tactical and strategic enjoyment of this game is incredible. Quite addictive and a lot of fun. Realistic weapons, this multiplayer game is actually more fun than Rogue Spear. The design of the weapons is quite good too. Unfortunately this game is really aging, as it's based on a 2 year old engine. I am afraid the community will start dimisihing, so you are better off getting this peice of gaming goodness quickly.

Best game ever to come out for PC

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 07, 2000
Author: Amazon User

What can I say....this mod is just great...I've been playing CS since beta 1 (thats right, the very original, over a year now) and it hasn't had a dull moment yet. Whether your charging through a map with your mp5 blazing or sniping with your sniper rifle, you always feel on your toes. The maps and weapons are different enough that you actually prefer one group's (T or CT) weapons over the others, while it still maintains a surprisingly good balance of power. Even if you are one of those people with a dial up, where you can't get online and play a good solid game on-line with other people, theres many bots out there which simulate other players extremely well. Each gun has a specific strategy to it as well. For example, the m249 para machine gun has an absolutely massive clip (100 bullets compared to the standard 30), but after firing about 10 rounds the recoil starts to make it inaccurate. This makes the game challenging and fun to experiment with while you find out what guns you like. I've had friends, who aren't very much into gaming by the way, and love this game so much they go out and buy it just to play CS. If you have to choose one game to get for christmas this year, DO NOT pass this one up, you'll be sorry! Hope to see everyone in the games, say hi if ya see me... -?-

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions