Since the switch from CS:GO to Counter-Strike 2, the tactical shooter has been repeatedly criticized, but what bothers the fans so much? We give an overview.
What is the current community opinion on CS2? Judging by the user reviews on Steam, the opinion of CS2 is currently relatively balanced, but many players still don’t like the condition of the shooter.
Of the just over 275,000 reviews, 68% percent are positive (measured by the reviews submitted since September 30th when the switch from CS:GO to CS2). That doesn’t seem so bad at first glance, but CS:GO had over 7.5 million reviews at the time of the CS2 release and the CS:GO shutdown, with a significantly better 88% positive reviews (via Steam).
The shooter also only has a user score of 4.2 (out of 10 possible points) on Metacritic. CS:GO is at 7.3.
Nevertheless, an upward trend can currently be seen at CS2. The criticism on social networks is apparently subsiding somewhat and the Steam ratings are no longer quite as bad as they were when it was released. Back in October, CS2 was one of Valve’s worst-rated games with 45% negative reviews.
Players are frustrated by technical problems and cheaters
What is the criticism of CS2? There are several aspects that bother fans of the shooter. Above all, we keep reading that CS2 is a step backwards compared to CS:GO. The players want CS:GO back, at least as long as CS2 is not yet at the technical level that the community expects.
In October, professional player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev even advised not to play CS2. s1mple is widely considered one of Counter-Strike’s best players, which is why the statement caused quite a stir.
On the technical side, there are various things that are not working so well. The biggest point of criticism is probably the anti-cheat system. If you look at the negative reviews of the shooter on Steam, it quickly becomes clear that Valve cannot get the tactical shooter’s cheating problem under control.
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On the other hand, there are mainly bugs and glitches that cause unrest in the community. It started with the so-called “Michael Jackson” peek, in which the character’s body assumed a very slanted position during the peek with the AWP. It looked like Michael Jackson in the song Smooth Criminal.
Some time later there was the “Air Peek”, in which players on the map Vertigo threw themselves outside the map, stopped on a pixel in the middle of the air and got an unexpected angle on an opponent’s path (via X.com )
In addition, there were false VAC bans that were triggered, for example, by a graphics card feature. However, Valve reacted and unbanned the players who were banned because of the “Anti-Lag+” feature on AMD graphics cards.
But some players are simply not satisfied with the netcode. You can always read in the game’s subreddit that Peekers Advantage is worse than ever and very frustrating. As a result, maintaining an angle is currently simply not as profitable as it was in CS:GO. This weakens weapons like the AWP in particular compared to its predecessor.
What is Peekers Advantage? Peekers Advantage means that the player who enters the shootout from cover has an advantage, while the player who maintains an angle is at a disadvantage. So if you aim at a corridor and your opponent suddenly comes running from the side into this corridor, then they have an advantage over you.
Community misses content
A rather minor point of criticism from players concerns content that CS:GO had and that is missing in CS2. The first priority here is maps, because CS2 only has 10 different maps. Maps like Cache, Train and Assault are completely missing.
The ability to carry the weapon on the left hand is also not available in CS2 to date. In Valorant, probably Counter-Strike’s biggest competitor, the option is available. Modes like Danger Zone and War Games are also missing (via Reddit)
At least the community and workshop maps are now available in the tactical shooter. These were completely missing when CS2 was released in September 2023. However, players now have the opportunity to play aim training, warm-up or surf maps created by the community.
What CS2 players definitely like is the improved graphics. The game looks much better and that also benefits the skins, which give the shooter a high priority. All in all, despite the criticism, Counter-Strike is a financial success and was able to earn 900 million euros in 2023.