Is it bad

What’s wrong?

The time I’ve invested into CS has always been spread around here and there, I’ve never binged on it as I have with other games and so I’ve never gotten sick of it. However, that also means my memories of any specific time are rather poor. I couldn’t tell you whether the AK had better accuracy on beta 4, 7, version 1.0 or 1.6, even though it’s by far my favorite weapon (and, naturally, the one I complain about most.)

So, any arguments about whether or not CS would be better the way it was “back then” would be completely unreliable. I know I enjoyed it more then, but I’ve also been exposed to many more games since, and the community has had time to mature (relatively speaking). I could no more tell you the specific reasons why I found my latest stint with CS disappointing, than I could explain why I have a weakness for girls of average build with light brown hair, hazel eyes and a broad smile.

It could be argued that the balancing changes over the various patches have turned it into a perpetual stalemate with minimal ability to discern skill levels. Once someone learns the places to be, the rather basic combat tactics such as remembering to aim for the head, there’s only one thing left. There are no prediction rocket shots, no skillful dodging in combat, no control of item spawns, no routes to run and no real requirements to aim – just learn your gun’s abilities, when to burst, auto or to realize you’re outgunned by your opponent. The only skill in CS is the mind game, anticipating your opponent’s moves. That’s the most important ability in any multiplayer shooter of course, but it’s not a good reflection on the gameplay when it’s the only trait of any significant effect.

Then again, maybe it’s not even a gameplay mechanic at all. Perhaps it’s just that everyone’s learned the maps like the back of their hand, they know exactly where to expect ambushes or possible rushes. Perhaps it’s just that everyone’s gotten good enough, and the best players have hit the skill ceiling and are unable to pull further away. However, given that I got back to a 1:1 frag ratio within 2 days, after months of abstinence, makes me doubt that everyone is suddenly much better than they were a year ago.

The fact is, there seems to be a certain unhappiness with CS as it stands and the direction it’s heading. There are those who are severely irritated with the inability to break out individually, and then I’ve hit several servers where anyone over a 4:1 ratio with at least 30 or so frags is booted, on the assumption that anyone that good must be cheating – contrast that with what were routine 40-5 romps in beta 3. Heck, on some servers I’ve been on, admins automatically kick anyone using the riot shield.

CS has an obsession with balancing weapons; any weapon that’s powerful gets nerfed. Take the AWP for example. It has always been a problem weapon – it allows the most incompetent player to get at least one frag per round, but on the other hand it was the only showcase weapon for those with real reflexes and aiming skill (of course, it also rewarded those with absolutely no other skills other than reflex and aim).