After six months of closed testing, Valve’s studio has officially released Counter-Strike 2, a significant upgrade to its popular multiplayer shooter, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), now powered by the Source 2 engine. On the night of September 28th, Valve made this exciting release available to all Steam users at no cost.
So, what’s new in Counter-Strike 2?
CS2 boasts enhanced visuals, Workshop tools, updated maps, a revamped rating system, dynamic smoke grenades, and various other updates. Notably, players now have the ability to undo weapon and ammunition purchases at the start of each round, giving them the flexibility to adjust their strategy or rectify any purchasing errors.
One of the standout features in Counter-Strike 2 is the addition of a sound ring to the minimap. This innovative feature allows players to visualize the distance their created sounds travel, adding an extra layer of strategic depth to the gameplay.
Despite the recent game update, a plethora of fresh CS2 servers has already emerged, offering players exciting new experiences within the game.
It’s important to clarify that Counter-Strike 2 isn’t an entirely new game; rather, it serves as a substantial update that replaces its predecessor, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, in your Steam library and the Steam store. This update also extends to renaming your inventory and other tabs associated with the previous version of the shooter.
If you’re wondering about the system requirements, Valve has provided updated recommended PC specifications on the game’s Steam page. These requirements include:
- Operating System: Windows 10.
- Processor: 4-thread processor – Intel Core i5 750 or better.
- RAM: 8 GB.
- Video Card: A graphics card with 1 GB or more memory, compatible with DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5.0 support.
- DirectX: Version 11.
- Disk Space: 85 GB.
As for launching the classic CS:GO, it’s worth noting that after the release of Counter-Strike 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been removed from the Steam store. Consequently, only Counter-Strike 2 will open on startup. However, for users who still wish to play the previous version, there may be alternative methods or community servers available, though official support for CS:GO may have ceased with the release of Counter-Strike 2.
