Counter-Strike is a first person tactical shooting game, heavily focused in online and local (LAN) multiplayer action.
Game Modes
The main modes consist in two teams, Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, who face each other in time limited rounds. Depending on the map, rounds can be won by either completing a given objective or by eliminating the enemy team. The team that won the highest amount of rounds when the match timer is over, will be the winner of the match.
Players of both teams, will also compete against each other, including competing with members of their own team, to get the highest amount of kills and lowest amount of deaths. Most of the times, players will aim to win individually rather than cooperatively, unless team is composed of members that know each other and play strategically to win the rounds.
Team Versus
In Versus, the two teams face each other until one is eliminated, awarding the surviving team with the victory of that round, or until the time runs out, ending in a draw.
Bomb Defusal
In Bomb Defusal, Counter-terrorists win the round by successfully protecting one or multiple bombing sites until the time runs out, or by defusing a bomb once planted. Terrorists win the round by successfully planting and detonating a bomb, which has a set countdown, or by killing all CT members while the bomb is planted. Victory may also be achieved by any team if the opposing team gets eliminated before the bomb is planted.
Hostage Rescue
In Hostage Rescue, Counter-terrorists win the round if they successfully rescue all hostages before time runs out. Terrorists win the round by preventing the rescue of all hostages. Alternatively, victory can be achieved by eliminating the opposing team.
Escape
In Escape, Terrorists try to escape from a Counter-Terrorist raid. Originally added during the beta, it featured 3 official maps:
- Jail - Terrorists must escape from a jail damaged after an earthquake.
- Frantic - Trapped under a subway station, they must make their way out.
- Trinity - Walking out of a broken boxcar, they must find a way to escape.
To win the scenario, you and your team are required to reach the terrorist escape zone (as a terrorist) or eliminate all members of the opposing team (like all the other game modes). While still playable in Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, the official maps have been taken out since the beta's close.
