Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is one of the most popular FPS games (first-person perspective shooter) designed for a multiplayer experience. The games created by Valve Corporation is the direct successor of Counter-Strike: Source. Due to its huge popularity, CS:GO is a must-have game on the agenda of any e-sport event and the prize pools for the professional players of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive reach astronomic numbers.
How to Download Counter-Strike Global Offensive
To download CS: GO click on the Download button. It can be found below.
The Rules of the Game
The goal of the game is to win the majority of 30 played rounds. There are two competing teams: the Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. Each of the groups has their unique goals. The assignment of the players to each of the groups is random. The game is played until one of the teams will get an absolute advantage. Besides the main competitive tournament mode, there are others: Casual, Arms Race, Deathmatch, Weapons Course, and Demolition.
The game is well-balanced and fair for any side of the conflict, only the skills of the players determine the final outcome. Each of the participants begins with the same amount of in-game money with which he can purchase such indispensable items like pistols, grenades or a bulletproof vest, Similarly for terminating an opponent each of the players receives the same monetary reward to buy equipment in the following rounds.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a team game, it’s hard to be successful without advanced cooperation. An essential technical requirement is a proper set of headphones with a microphone as well as a good keyboard and a fast, sensitive mouse.
The Gameplay
The goal of the game is to beat the opposing team but the ways to this end are numerous. The goal of the round is determined by the type of the map the round is played on. This might be rescuing the hostages from the Terrorists or planting (or disarming) a bomb. In unofficial events, there are also other game modes which nature is limited only by the game engine or the author’s imagination. One could find maps in PokeMod mode (inspired by the animated series Pokemon), or ZombieMod maps where the players compete in the zombie-infested world bringing to mind Resident Evil. If one feels a need to relax and stop competing with humans for a while they can play a map of surfer type – a typical arcade mode. Also, it’s worth to note that numerous hacks and cheats for CS:GO have been released, they are of course illegal in tournaments.
Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveSystem Requirements
When compared to other shooters, CS:GO shines. The graphics might not be its best part but still, in high settings, they look quite pleasing to the eyes. But it’s not the visual aspect which is the most important, it’s the gameplay which counts. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive scores fantastically in this regard, similar to how its predecessors like Counter-Strike 1.6 do.
The game has low system requirements. To begin it’s enough to have an internet connection of medium speed and basic PC set (high-end machines are not required), which means that the number of players is enormous. Because of this, any self-respecting shooter fan should give CS:GO a try.
If you enjoy games in this genre, check out our PC reviews of Unturned and PAYDAY 2. You can also explore our full guide and specs for Poly Bridge 2.
Gameplay Loop, Mechanics, and Atmosphere in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
PC gamers looking for another classic release can explore our complete gameplay review and Windows requirements for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive PC System Requirements
Below are the verified minimum and recommended Windows PC specifications required to run Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows® 10 | See minimum |
| Processor | 4 hardware CPU threads – Intel® Core™ i5 750 or higher | See minimum |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | See minimum |
| Graphics | Video card must be 1 GB or more and should be a DirectX 11-compatible with support for Shader Model 5.0 | See minimum |
| DirectX | Version 11 | See minimum |
| Storage | 85 GB available space | See minimum |
If you enjoy this genre on Windows, see how Escape from Tarkov compares in gameplay depth, specs, and official download options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for PC?
Click the green Download button on this page to access the official storefront and digital download links for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
What platforms support Counter-Strike: Global Offensive?
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is available for Windows PC and compatible gaming setups listed in our technical specification box.
What kind of gameplay does Counter-Strike: Global Offensive feature?
Our hands-on review breaks down the core mechanics, progression, visual presentation, and replay value of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive worth playing?
Rated 9.5/10 by our editorial team, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive delivers a rewarding experience for fans of the genre.
