Counter-Strike, for Xbox, is the offspring of Valve’s popular, long-standing
on-line multiplayer PC first person shooter series of the same name (a PLSOMPCFPSOTSN?).
I’ve never played any of the PC versions, but I understand that it’s
basically the same part-sim-mostly-arcade game, but with enhanced graphics and
seven Xbox-exclusive maps, bringing the total number of maps to twenty—five
dedicated to Hostage Rescue operations, fifteen dedicated to the Demolition
mode, but more on this later. As is expected, gamers will compare the two, which
is fine and natural, and they’ll also compare it to other Xbox Live-enabled
titles such as Rainbow Six III and Ghost Recon: Island Thunder.
On the second front, don’t do it, they’re too different; you’ll
shortchange the game, and the enjoyment you’re likely to get out of it.
In a nutshell, Counter-Strike is a bare-bones but well thought out, obviously
well-tested on-line game.

Gameplay
In the last sentence above I wrote that Counter-Strike is bare-bones. That’s
my opinion and, of course, I could be wrong. There are, however, only two game
modes for all you Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists out there: Hostage Rescue
and Demolition, and there’s no campaign. The only off-line play is exactly
the same as the available on-line play, but with human-named bots/A.I. instead
of real people helping you out or kicking your butt. And the bots can kick butt
if set to the harder settings (or if you set it up that way with the Custom
Match feature). If you’re charged for on-line play, it’s this game’s
forte so enjoy. Think Unreal Championship for war mongers and you have the right
idea, but with money. Money, that’s right, and no it’s not an RPG,
but at the beginning of each round you must purchase your weapons and ammo,
and do it quickly. It’s kind of silly, nearly a mini-game in itself, and
somewhat annoying, but I haven’t let it ruin the game for me. I say, practice,
practice, practice, so you can go, go, go.

Xbox Live

…is what Counter-Strike’s all about. And for that it rocks. Bare bones
simplicity and all. Here’s why, and to me this means so very much: When
You Shoot Someone In The Head They Really Die! There’s zero detectable
lag, latency, synchronization issues, whatever. This game is smooth as silk
on-line. I couldn’t even detect a difference from off-line play. I think
all Xbox Live games lag to some extent (some are very bad) but I can’t
see it with this game. It is obvious that Valve extensively tried and tested
this game. Does lag ruin your day? One recently released game has given cause
for many people to complain. Case in point: I’m stock-still, kneeling
at a mere twenty yards with a zoomed-in Sniper rifle. The dot is between the
enemy’s eyes. Six shots later I fully expect him to be dead, instead he
drops me with his pistol. I have not experienced this with Counter-Strike and
that makes this killer very happy. System link is also a multiplayer option.
You can connect up to sixteen consoles if properly networked.

Control
Counter-Strike’s simple controls are a breeze to master. Of course, initially
everyone will be pressing the wrong buttons because of recent migrations from
other games, but the learning curve isn’t very steep. The controls are
rather intuitive, in fact. Like most control schemes, though, there are changes
that one would like to make. Thankfully that is allowable. Also, and a first
for me, Valve offers lefty configurations. I’m not left-handed but it
impressed me all the same. Maybe Braille is next? There are features galore
which are lacking, but that’s why I say don’t compare it to the
other titles. There’s no night vision, no thermal vision, and no zoom
unless your weapon is equipped with a true scope, so you can forget sniping
with that shotgun of yours. There are other features, though, which are really
nice and, from what I know, exclusive to this game. Click the left thumbstick
and you creep without the noisy footfalls. If the feature’s turned on,
you can click the right thumbstick and turn really fast for a “quick view.”
This is good stuff that I would like to see in other games. I must admit, though,
that I really miss the vision modes found in those other titles. Opening doors
is down played from those other games as well. Many don’t open at all,
and the ones that do are actuated by your character running into them. You’ll
be rewarded with a little squeak and clear passage into the next room. Oh, one
more thing, you can jump in this game, not twenty feet or anything crazy, but
you can jump!

Graphics

The secret to Counter-Strike’s blazing on-line play is it’s graphical
simplicity. The game looks okay. There’s nothing amazing here. Flat, bland,
but not unenjoyable for the purpose the graphics serve. It’s better than
an empty sandbox. It may be the price one pays for a glitch-free game. It’s
all about priorities. How good do you want to look when you die?

Audio
Boom, bang, squeak, and “I’m… doing what you told me to”
or “Fire in the hole!” The effects are okay, and there’s some
bot-talk and D-pad pressed order responses and the like, but I don’t recall
any decent music. If there is, I apologize, but the fact I don’t remember
might also say something about how impressive the music is. However, the music
is up to you, though, since you are afforded the sweet and uncommon luxury of
playing your hard drive-stored custom soundtracks on-line and off.

Replay Value
It’s an on-line game so there’s tons of replay value here. There’s
only two modes, though, and twenty maps. Even with the variety of twenty-two
decent weapons, expect to be bored after a while, especially if you play it
exclusively for weeks on end. Though future downloadable content could keep
players interested for a long time, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Reviewer's Additional Comments
It’s a really cool multiplayer on-line game which is glitch free. But
that’s it. Enjoy it for what it is and try not to complain about the lack
of bells and whistles. Try not to compare. (I sure miss my thermals, though.)
When rating a game all things must be taken into consideration, on-line play,
off-line play, the works. It could be said that Counter-Strike for Xbox would
do poorly and get a low score, but the glitch-free on-line on Xbox Live is so
sweet. Hmm, tough one. I’ll give it a…

Overall Score
Overall Score: 7.2/10 [Not an Average]

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