Author: Kiba Snowpaw, the Alpha Male Ice Wolf of HowlStrom


In the icy plains of HowlStrom, where the cold bites harder than a cheater's aim, I've fought battles, conquered foes, and seen the rise and fall of many legends. I've been with Counter-Strike since its days as a Half-Life mod around CS1.1, and I've grown up with the game, molding my skills and strategies through each iteration. But today, I write with a heavy heart about the latest blunder in the series - Counter-Strike 2.


For over two decades, Counter-Strike has been the epitome of competitive FPS, a game that demanded skill, strategy, and precision. Valve, the studio behind this behemoth, decided to "upgrade" CS:GO into Counter-Strike 2. What was supposed to be a leap into the future has turned into a nosedive into an abyss of disappointment.


CS2 was marketed as a groundbreaking update, featuring the new Source 2 engine, realistic physically-based rendering, and dynamic smoke grenades. Yet, all these additions feel like a thin layer of frost on a rotting core. The game has lost the essence that made its predecessors legendary.


Valve, a studio once revered for its innovation and player-centric approach, has become a shadow of its former self. Their decision to overwrite CS:GO with CS2, merging the reviews, and disregarding the community's feedback reeks of arrogance and greed. It's as if a pack of inexperienced pups were let loose in the development den.



In CS2, the characters we play are mere husks, devoid of the legacy they carried. The game's anti-cheat system is laughable, turning matches into a den of hackers. The Prime Status, once a shield against cheaters, now feels like a cruel joke. Paying $14 only to be matched with blatant hackers? It's a betrayal.


The community, once vibrant and supportive, is now fractured. New players are thrown into the same matches as veterans, creating an imbalance that saps the joy out of the game. Valve's disregard for this is palpable.


The character arcs in CS2 feel more like character collapses. The essence of teamwork, strategy, and skillful play is overshadowed by technical flaws and poor design choices. The relatability of being a skilled player is lost when any novice can perform equally due to the lowered skill ceiling.


CS2's structure is akin to a glacier that's begun to melt. The core mechanics that made CS:GO great have been tampered with. The shooting feels off, the movement is sluggish, and the overall experience is marred by constant technical issues.


The impact of CS2 on the community has been devastating. Long-time fans feel betrayed, new players are disillusioned, and the overall sentiment is one of frustration and anger. Valve's mishandling of this release has left scars that may never heal.


Counter-Strike 2 promised a new dawn for the franchise but delivered a cold, harsh winter. It stands as a monument to what happens when a studio loses touch with its community and prioritizes profit over quality.



The only praise CS2 garners is for its visual upgrades. The Source 2 engine brings a fresh coat of paint to the maps, and the dynamic smoke grenades are a neat addition. But these superficial changes can't mask the deeper issues.


- Technical Flaws: The game is riddled with bugs, stuttering, and frame drops.
- Anti-Cheat Failure: Hackers run rampant, ruining the experience for everyone.
- Matchmaking Woes: New and veteran players are thrown together, creating a frustrating imbalance.
- Loss of Essence: The gameplay feels hollow and uninspired.
- Valve's Arrogance: Merging CS:GO reviews with CS2 and ignoring community feedback.



As an alpha male ice wolf with 37+ years of gaming wisdom, my enjoyment of CS2 has been minimal. The game's flaws overshadow any fleeting moments of fun.


- Highlights: Visual improvements and dynamic smoke grenades.
- Drawbacks: Everything else.


CS2 is a testament to how not to handle a beloved franchise. Valve's missteps have turned a once-great game into a source of frustration and disappointment.



Compared to other competitive shooters like Valorant and Rainbow Six Siege, CS2 falls short. While those games innovate and improve, CS2 regresses.


- You can't refund CS2, and you can't even delete it from your library – you're forced to own it. Trying to remove it permanently via Steam Support just results in an error.

- Inconsistent Map Brightness: The map brightness is inconsistent, creating a jarring visual experience.
- Sound Indicators: Sound indicators dumb down the game for new players.
- Blinding White Screen: The blinding white screen at the start of each round is irritating.
- Performance Issues: Despite modern tech, performance issues are prevalent.
- Rampant Cheaters: VAC is ineffective, leading to a cheater-infested game.
- Deathmatch Changes: Deathmatch changes have been poorly implemented, removing team modes.
- Overpowered SMGs: SMGs have become overpowered, disrupting gameplay balance.
- Monetization Focus: Valve's focus on monetization over gameplay quality is clear.

I could go on forever because there's 80% more wrong with the game than there is anything good about it.


In the frozen lands of HowlStrom, trust and skill are everything. CS2 has betrayed both. It's a game that has lost its way, much like a traveler lost in a blizzard. For those considering diving into this icy abyss, I say save your money and look elsewhere. Valve has turned its back on its legacy, and CS2 is the cold, harsh result.

Steam Curator: DanishFurryGame

YouTube Channel: Kiba Snowpaw's Gaming Den

[h1]Counter-Strike 2: A Winter's Tale of Betrayal and Disillusionment[/h1] [i]Author: Kiba Snowpaw, the Alpha Male Ice Wolf of HowlStrom[/i] [h2]Introduction[/h2] In the icy plains of HowlStrom, where the cold bites harder than a cheater's aim, I've fought battles, conquered foes, and seen the rise and fall of many legends. I've been with Counter-Strike since its days as a Half-Life mod around CS1.1, and I've grown up with the game, molding my skills and strategies through each iteration. But today, I write with a heavy heart about the latest blunder in the series - Counter-Strike 2. [h2]Basic Plot Summary[/h2] For over two decades, Counter-Strike has been the epitome of competitive FPS, a game that demanded skill, strategy, and precision. Valve, the studio behind this behemoth, decided to "upgrade" CS:GO into Counter-Strike 2. What was supposed to be a leap into the future has turned into a nosedive into an abyss of disappointment. [h2]Originality[/h2] CS2 was marketed as a groundbreaking update, featuring the new Source 2 engine, realistic physically-based rendering, and dynamic smoke grenades. Yet, all these additions feel like a thin layer of frost on a rotting core. The game has lost the essence that made its predecessors legendary. [h2]The Studio[/h2] Valve, a studio once revered for its innovation and player-centric approach, has become a shadow of its former self. Their decision to overwrite CS:GO with CS2, merging the reviews, and disregarding the community's feedback reeks of arrogance and greed. It's as if a pack of inexperienced pups were let loose in the development den. [h2]Analysis/Evaluation[/h2] [h3]Character Development: Main Characters[/h3] In CS2, the characters we play are mere husks, devoid of the legacy they carried. The game's anti-cheat system is laughable, turning matches into a den of hackers. The Prime Status, once a shield against cheaters, now feels like a cruel joke. Paying $14 only to be matched with blatant hackers? It's a betrayal. [h3]Supporting Characters[/h3] The community, once vibrant and supportive, is now fractured. New players are thrown into the same matches as veterans, creating an imbalance that saps the joy out of the game. Valve's disregard for this is palpable. [h3]Character Arcs and Relatability[/h3] The character arcs in CS2 feel more like character collapses. The essence of teamwork, strategy, and skillful play is overshadowed by technical flaws and poor design choices. The relatability of being a skilled player is lost when any novice can perform equally due to the lowered skill ceiling. [h2]Structure[/h2] CS2's structure is akin to a glacier that's begun to melt. The core mechanics that made CS:GO great have been tampered with. The shooting feels off, the movement is sluggish, and the overall experience is marred by constant technical issues. [h2]Impact[/h2] The impact of CS2 on the community has been devastating. Long-time fans feel betrayed, new players are disillusioned, and the overall sentiment is one of frustration and anger. Valve's mishandling of this release has left scars that may never heal. [h2]Hook and Thesis[/h2] Counter-Strike 2 promised a new dawn for the franchise but delivered a cold, harsh winter. It stands as a monument to what happens when a studio loses touch with its community and prioritizes profit over quality. [h2]Praise and Critique[/h2] [h3]Praise[/h3] The only praise CS2 garners is for its visual upgrades. The Source 2 engine brings a fresh coat of paint to the maps, and the dynamic smoke grenades are a neat addition. But these superficial changes can't mask the deeper issues. [h3]Critique[/h3] - [b]Technical Flaws:[/b] The game is riddled with bugs, stuttering, and frame drops. - [b]Anti-Cheat Failure:[/b] Hackers run rampant, ruining the experience for everyone. - [b]Matchmaking Woes:[/b] New and veteran players are thrown together, creating a frustrating imbalance. - [b]Loss of Essence:[/b] The gameplay feels hollow and uninspired. - [b]Valve's Arrogance:[/b] Merging CS:GO reviews with CS2 and ignoring community feedback. [h2]Personal Opinion[/h2] [h3]Enjoyment[/h3] As an alpha male ice wolf with 37+ years of gaming wisdom, my enjoyment of CS2 has been minimal. The game's flaws overshadow any fleeting moments of fun. [h3]Highlights and Drawbacks[/h3] - [b]Highlights:[/b] Visual improvements and dynamic smoke grenades. - [b]Drawbacks:[/b] Everything else. [h2]Evaluation[/h2] CS2 is a testament to how not to handle a beloved franchise. Valve's missteps have turned a once-great game into a source of frustration and disappointment. [h2]Comparison[/h2] [h3]Similar Games[/h3] Compared to other competitive shooters like Valorant and Rainbow Six Siege, CS2 falls short. While those games innovate and improve, CS2 regresses. [h2]Additional Issues[/h2] - You can't refund CS2, and you can't even delete it from your library – you're forced to own it. Trying to remove it permanently via Steam Support just results in an error. - [b]Inconsistent Map Brightness:[/b] The map brightness is inconsistent, creating a jarring visual experience. - [b]Sound Indicators:[/b] Sound indicators dumb down the game for new players. - [b]Blinding White Screen:[/b] The blinding white screen at the start of each round is irritating. - [b]Performance Issues:[/b] Despite modern tech, performance issues are prevalent. - [b]Rampant Cheaters:[/b] VAC is ineffective, leading to a cheater-infested game. - [b]Deathmatch Changes:[/b] Deathmatch changes have been poorly implemented, removing team modes. - [b]Overpowered SMGs:[/b] SMGs have become overpowered, disrupting gameplay balance. - [b]Monetization Focus:[/b] Valve's focus on monetization over gameplay quality is clear. I could go on forever because there's 80% more wrong with the game than there is anything good about it. [h2]Overall Conclusion[/h2] In the frozen lands of HowlStrom, trust and skill are everything. CS2 has betrayed both. It's a game that has lost its way, much like a traveler lost in a blizzard. For those considering diving into this icy abyss, I say save your money and look elsewhere. Valve has turned its back on its legacy, and CS2 is the cold, harsh result. [b]Steam Curator:[/b] [url=https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/curator/8527224-DanishFurryGame]DanishFurryGame[/url] [b]YouTube Channel:[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrNO2liFw3M85GZWP6e9CQg]Kiba Snowpaw's Gaming Den[/url]