One of the most popular online playing game and modification for Half-Life is Counter-Strike. Counterstrike, or CS, is a teamplay mod that pits Terrorists versus Counter Terrorist Teams. The gameplay is based on round matches, meaning that once you die, you're dead for the rest of the round. It's been one of the most popular mods and online games mainly because of the simplicity and lack of elements involved. Combine that with the fact that it was designed by the a professional mod team, and you'll begin to understand why it's the elite top 3 for Halflife.

To start off, CS has a huge community realming well over a hundred thousand players. So don't even worry if there's going to be an open server, because there's going be over 10,000 servers that you can join. The graphics in CS are very, very good. The best fact is that the character models absolutely rule. Terrorists look like terrorists, and your SWAT guys look absolutely beaut. There's four different classes, although the only difference in the appearance of their uniforms. There's tons of well-designed weapons which accurately represent their real-life counterparts. Sniper rifles, while a bit cowardish, look like sniper rifles, and machine guns are very well animated. CS also has an extremely smooth framerate, with very little lag, and awesome map designs. Most of the elite map makes enjoy designing maps for the Half-Life community.

Music and sound is a bit more improved. Technically speaking, there is no real music. In fact, the background music in the game is almost non-existant. It sort of gives you a realistic feeling, but was also designed so that you could hear your opponent's footsteps. Each gun has a different sound, which proves how much thought and effort went into making this mod. It gets even better since death sounds are also different, and there's plenty of explosions and things whatnot. This mod is very well developed, so expect it to be one of the best on the market. Gameplay is the best feature of CS. Counter Strike has so many weapons that they're each categorized. For example, you have your pistols, shotguns, sub machine guns, rifles, extra equipment, and even a machine gun. There's a few made-up guns in the gun, but they're designed almost like real counterparts. The playing style of the player can be determined by a single gun alone. For example, many people enjoy using the AWP, which is basically a one-shot kill sniper rifle. The only disadvantages is that it has a slow reload (bolt-action), and you gotta aim with a scope to be fairly accurate. Each gun has their advantages and disadvantages. The actual gameplay is what revolutionized many other halflife mods. On some maps, there are hostages and the CT must rescue them. In other cases, there are maps where the terrorists must plant a bomb at a target, and the CTs have to defend those targets.

Teamplay is essential to CS. If you can't stick together, or cover each other's back, then you'll get overrun and be dead. Don't expect to be a Rambo in this game, because your chances are weighed against you like a rock solid brick. So many people are clinged to CS because it combines simplicity with guns and realistic scenarios. You can't really do matrix-like jumps in CS. While you don't have a stamina meter, your jumping is limited, and crouching makes you a smaller target. Stealth is a necessity in CS. If you hear footsteps, that means someone is nearby, and usually the stealthy person will win. If a person dies, you can pick up their weapon if you choose, but you must drop the one in your current hand. You also purchase all your items at the beginning of a round, including guns, weapons, and armor. Your team gains more money if they win, so often your team will go on winning or losing streaks. It's very unique, and the experience is one you surely won't forget.

The disadvantages to Counter-Strike are somewhat numersome. While it does have a huge community, and awesome mod team, this proves to be a disadvantage. Counter-Strike is full of skilled players. Some of the best players in the world play, and you'll often find your booty handed to you in several disected pieces. You may get owned for your entire career in CS, or you may be the one owning others. So the biggest problem is the challenge of the mod. A good feature is that CS is one of the fewest lagging games as a mod. Some people will have extremely low pings (10s-20s), while most people tend to ping around (70s-120s). 56Kers are noticeable (200s-400s), and usually will get killed quite a lot. so if you do plan on becoming good, it's almost a necessity that you own a broadband connection. Other than that, there's no real problems with the mod. It's pure, clean fun. There are a few guns in the game that you may hate (AWP, AK 47, Desert Eagle), but I'm sure you'll find ways to compensate. Overall, this is probably one of the best mods you'll ever play for Half-Life, so I recommend downloading it sometime soon.

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TIPS

• Stick together. Teamwork is essential in Half-Life. Most Rambos die before even getting a shot off.
• The M4 Colt is probably the best gun in the game. It combines power, accuracy, and even a silencer if needed.
• The AK47 provides the best bite for the buck. It does extreme damage, but always shoot it in low bursts (1-3 shots), since the recoil is huge.
• You NEED armor to survive in CS. Always buy full body armor (w/ helmet) each round since it will protect you from headshots and body shots.
• If you're a CT, buy a defuse kit as much as possible. They only cost $200, and can prove to be the game decider in the final seconds.
• As a terrorist, always cover the bomb planter. Once a bomb is planted, defend the bombsite until time is about to run out, but NEVER let the CT defuse it. This means dieing for your country may be a necessity.
• Calm down. Way to many people panic in CS by unloading a full clip into thin air. Take burst shots if your opponent is running away, but use automatic if an enemy is attacking you.
• Use your knife as a last resort. Many other players will get a good laugh if you knife someone, but don't become a dedicated knifer. You're only wasting a slot on your team.
• Flashbangs and HE grenades are useful, but overrated in my opinion. If you do flash someone, you must rush them within 3 seconds, otherwise they will see you. Use HE grenades to hold an incoming rush off for a few seconds.
• Smoke grenades are good for covering your team's movement, and are good tools for lagging your opponents. But make sure not to throw them where the enemy is coming, otherwise its use will backfire.
• The pump action shotgun is also a hugely underrated weapon, one shot CAN kill an opponent if you aim correctly. You can go on easy killing sprees with a shotgun.
• The AWP can be the most annoying weapon in the game. Most of the time, it's a one shot kill on opponents, so cover a choke point with it.
• DO NOT CAMP. Too many n00bs camp, and you're only wasting time or your team's resources. It's smart to camp a bombsite or the hostages, but don't do it if you're ignoring objectives!
• If you want to join a clan in CS, you better be pretty good. There are tons of clans in CS, and many people you'll bond with, just remember that there are many skilled people out there.
• De_dust is the most popular map in CS.
• Use your radar A LOT. If the server has the radar enabled, it can show you where the bomb is, including your friendlies.
• If Friendly Fire is ON, watch out! Don't shoot friendlies, otherwise you may get banned or kicked from the server.
• Have fun, don't let CS catch up with you. Way too many people get frustrated and start taking their anger out on the keyboard. If you're really that damn pissed, take a break and visit my site :-) or use that anger against your opponents.

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