Counter Strike 2 – What’s New in the Latest Entry

Counter-Strike 2, the latest entry in Valve’s popular tactical first-person shooter series, has been released on Steam on September 27, 2023, via a surprise shadow drop.

What is a shadow drop?

A shadow drop is when a game is released without any prior announcement or marketing. This is a relatively rare practice, but it has become more common recently as developers and publishers look for new ways to surprise and delight their fans.

What’s new in Counter-Strike 2?

Counter-Strike 2 significantly upgrades over its predecessor, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The game features new maps, weapons, modes, and a revamped graphics engine.

New maps

Counter-Strike 2 includes several new maps, including:

• Dust 3: A reimagining of the classic Counter-Strike map Dust 2.
• Inferno Prime: A remake of the popular map Inferno with updated visuals and gameplay mechanics.
• Vertigo: A new map set in a skyscraper construction site.
• Zephyr: A new map set in a Mediterranean coastal village.

New weapons

Counter-Strike 2 also includes several new weapons, including:

• AUG A3: A bullpup assault rifle with a high rate of fire and low recoil.
• Glock-18C: A semi-automatic pistol with a large magazine and a high rate of fire.
• MP5-SD: A submachine gun with a suppressor, ideal for stealthy gameplay.
• SCAR-H: A semi-automatic assault rifle with high damage and recoil.

New game modes

Counter-Strike 2 also includes several new game modes, including:

• Wingman: A 2v2 game mode where players must eliminate the enemy team to win.
• Competitive: The classic 5v5 Counter-Strike game mode.
• Casual: A more relaxed version of Competitive mode, with shorter rounds and less restrictive rules.
• Deathmatch: A free-for-all game mode where players compete to get the most kills.

New graphics engine

Counter-Strike 2 is built on Valve’s Source 2 engine, which provides significant visual improvements over the Source engine used in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The game features new lighting, textures, models, and HDR and ray tracing support.

Is Counter-Strike 2 free to play?

Yes, Counter-Strike 2 is a free-to-play game. However, optional cosmetic items can be purchased with real money.

Is Counter-Strike 2 cross-play compatible?

No, Counter-Strike 2 is not cross-play compatible. This means players on different platforms (PC, console, etc.) cannot play together.

What are the system requirements for Counter-Strike 2?

The minimum system requirements for Counter-Strike 2 are:

• Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-8350
• RAM: 8GB
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R9 290
• Storage: 20GB of free space

The recommended system requirements for Counter-Strike 2 are:

• Operating system: Windows 11 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
• RAM: 16GB
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
• Storage: 40GB of free space

Conclusion

Counter-Strike 2 significantly upgrades over its predecessor, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The game features new maps, weapons, modes, and a revamped graphics engine. Counter-Strike 2 is free to play and available now on Steam.

FAQs

Q: Can you play Counter-Strike 2 cross-play?

A: No, Counter-Strike 2 is not cross-play compatible. This means players on different platforms (PC, console, etc.) cannot play together.

Q: What are the system requirements for Counter-Strike 2?

The minimum system requirements for Counter-Strike 2 are:

• Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-8350
• RAM: 8GB
• Graphics