20 new features in Counter-Strike 2 (regularly updated)

Valve recently announced Counter-Strike 2, an all-new shooter that is the successor to the acclaimed CS:GO game. Ending the anticipation, CS2 is finally here, giving gamers a new Counter-Strike experience. The game has been completely overhauled and includes updated maps, improved lighting, new gameplay elements, and new game engine support. Many players have already beta-tested the game, discovering new features and changes that set Counter-Strike apart from its predecessor. Whether you’re a veteran player or a beginner interested in all the new features and improvements in CS2, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the various new features that make Counter-Strike 2 exhilarating and fun.

All new features in Counter-Strike 2 (updated regularly)

Many players have been actively playing limited tests of Counter-Strike 2 since last week. As such, the avid CS community posts tweets related to new features discovered in Counter-Strike 2, and this list includes all new features in CS2. It also contains some unimplemented leaks that are sure to appear in the next few updates.

1. Maximum number of rounds for a comp: 24

Counter-Strike 2 continues to improve when it comes to maximum rounds. The game currently follows the MR12 format and you can win the game by winning 13 rounds. With the maximum number of rounds changed to 24 , competitive games in CS2 will be shorter, making each round more meaningful. They introduced extra time in Counter-Strike 2 as well.

2. New “CS Rating” player metric

Apart from in-game competitive ranks, Valve now gives you a “CS Rating” number based on your performance in CS. This change places players properly on global and regional leaderboards. Players can now earn a CS rating by playing Counter-Strike 2’s Premier Mode.

3. New grenade inspection function

Valve’s recent update to Counter-Strike 2 added a new map to playtests and a nifty little update to the “Inspect” feature. Counter-Strike 2 now allows you to inspect smoke, flash, HE, or decoy grenades. The engine has also been updated (more on this in a moment), so the graphical fidelity and object physics during grenade inspection are very impressive. .

If you examine a Molotov cocktail, you will see that the liquid inside is acting according to gravity. All of this reminds me of Half Life: Alyx (check out my other VR games here) and its impressive Source 2 physics. Here’s how it actually works:

4. New loadout system for gun selection

Counter-Strike 2 has an updated loadout system. Players can now choose which guns to bring into battle, divided into three categories : pistols, medium-range weapons, and rifles . For example, for counter-terrorists, you can choose both the M4A1-S (silent) and the M4A4.

You can even incorporate both the R8 Revolver and the Deagle into the game, which opens up a lot of possibilities. With the addition of this new feature, players can now customize their loadouts to their liking on both the terrorist and counter-terrorist sides.

5. Updated purchase menu UI and ability to sell guns

Counter-Strike 2 has a new menu for purchasing guns and other utilities . It now has a grid-style UI instead of the previous wheel menu popularized in CS:GO. This purchase menu appears to be heavily inspired by the Danger Zone update that came out in 2018, which allowed players to open their tablet and purchase guns. In addition to this new purchase menu, players will also be able to sell guns just like in Valorant.

So if you accidentally brought the wrong gun or multi-purpose grenade, you can easily sell it by simply pressing the undo button next to the item. By the way, there is also a new indicator that shows what your teammates have, which will help you manage your economy. Check out the new purchase menu UI and refund button below as well.

6. Source 2 Game Engine

Counter-Strike 2 has been completely revamped with a new game engine. The older Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been based on the Source engine since its release in 2012. Valve’s other darling, Dota 2, got its Source 2 update quite some time ago. Naturally, players have been waiting for the same engine upgrade to their favorite FPS for years, and the overlords have finally listened.

Counter-Strike 2 is based on Source 2 and includes many new features. This isn’t just a visual change, it means the game feels very different. Did you know that one of the best VR games, Half-Life: Alyx, is also based on Source 2?

7. New subtick system

Multiplayer video games have always suffered from network issues that plagued players and affected gameplay. Obviously, the game cannot fix the player’s network instability. But even if everyone participating in a match has a good connection, differences in latency will cause discrepancies. After all, people are playing from their homes in different locations. Valve has clearly redefined Counter-Strike 2’s netcode using the Sub-Tick Engine . Its functionality is incredible.

I play multiple multiplayer FPS games, so it would be interesting to compare Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. Valve says that with this new netcode, CS2 knows exactly when the player moves and shoots, so peeking, jumping, and shooting at the player will no longer be the same as the previous 64 ticks. ” should be much more responsive than your netcode design. If you’d like to read a dedicated explanation of the Counter-Strike 2 Sub-Tick system, let us know in the comments.

8. If a cheater is discovered, the match will end

Valve has long used VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) in all of its multiplayer games. Constantly updated to help developers stay on top of new hacks and offer a streamlined gameplay experience, Counter Strike-2 reportedly has an upgraded anti-cheat system called VAC Live. (Credit: CS2 code leak by Twitter/@aquaismissing) This is CS2’s new anti-cheat system, although there is currently no information on how it works or what has changed.

One notable feature here is that Valve developers have ensured that if a cheater (such as someone using an aimbot or wallhack) is detected in a game in progress, they will be immediately banned. And if that ban takes place, the match ends immediately. Valorant’s kernel-level Vanguard anti-cheat system has a similar feature, informing players that a match has ended because a cheater has been detected. It’s important to note that the new VAC Live anti-cheat system is not kernel-level, unlike many other games.

9. Update of old and new maps

In Counter-Strike 2, many old maps have been completely overhauled and given a completely new look. Popular maps like Dust 2 and Mirage have been “enhanced” with visual quality upgrades powered by the Source 2 engine. Also, note the in-game props to indicate the fact that “time has passed.” Some maps have been updated with new models for various objects, such as overpass sinks being replaced from basic to modern ones. thing.

Valve has broken down CS2 map overhauls into three categories: Upgrades, Overhauls, and Touchstones. So what’s the difference? Although few changes have been made to the Touchstone map, some changes are observed. Upgraded maps feature dramatic upgrades to lighting, materials, and reflections. Also in the overhaul category, Valve says the map has been completely rebuilt from the ground up .

10. New responsive smoke

This is one of Counter-Strike 2’s biggest new features: new smoke. Previously in Counter-Strike, if you applied smoke to an area, it would become covered in a gray mist; this is how smoke works. Nothing the player did could clear the smoke from the area until time had passed. Smoke is completely different in Counter-Strike 2. These have been visually upgraded to measure volume and look like real smoke flowing out of a grenade . That’s not all. As the smoke progresses, it forms around the area where it was placed. This physical phenomenon is impressive.

Smoke can also spread to surrounding areas. And surprisingly, smoke also reacts to guns and explosions. For example, if someone pops up an explosive HE grenade next to smoke, it will disappear completely for a few seconds. When a teammate or enemy fires into the smoke, that particular area is “scraped away” and becomes visible to players on the other side. Overhauled smoke grenades could bring new competition to Counter-Strike 2.

Let’s take a look at how this new mechanic works, as changes may be made if player feedback is too negative. Do you think these CS2 smokes need some work?

11. New environmental effects and blood splatter effects

Counter-Strike 2 brings completely new effects to how the environment interacts with other in-game elements. HE grenades have a different way of exploding, giving a realistic-looking effect upon impact. Fire from Molotov cocktails and incendiary grenades now looks more vivid. In addition to this, when C4 is detonated at the scene, there is a huge boom as if a small nuke had detonated in the area. It’s quite theatrical!

There is also blood splatter for upgraded players. In CS:GO, shooting an enemy (or teammate) would cause blood splatter to appear around the area. The same thing happens in CS2, but with a very gore-y look that gives the game a gritty, mature feel. I’m not sure if people have the time to appreciate blood splatter or observe its patterns to determine enemy location, but it’s a nice touch.

12. Minimap visual audio indicators

CS2’s radar (or minimap) has been updated (courtesy of @fREQUENCYCS on Twitter) to now include visual indicators for footprints . A circular ring will appear around your character every time you play a sound. This indicates an area where other players can definitely hear you. See this feature in action here.

Just like in Valorant, you can see how far your footsteps can be heard. When fired, a bright light will appear on the radar. pic.twitter.com/qsUWljub3J — Elias (@fREQUENCYCS) March 23, 2023

13. CS2 audio rework

In addition to visual indicators of audio in the radar, Valve claims that Counter-Strike 2’s sound engine has been updated. The new game will have “unique sounds” that will better represent what’s happening in the match. CS:GO has had HRTF spatial audio for some time, and I honestly found it to be pretty good. Now, it’s hard to say how much of an improvement this new sound reworking will be, especially when it comes to 3D audio.

In addition, new game sounds have also been added and many things have changed. If you play the game in the beta version, you’ll notice that all weapons sound slightly different or drastically changed . Counter-Strike 2’s guns look more “realistic” and sound clearer, as seen on social media and YouTube clips. The sound of the gun also feels more satisfying. In addition to this, players will also receive new radio announcements, and Valve has “rebalanced” the audio to make it more pleasant.

14. Player’s feet are visible

Beta testers have noticed an update to the player perspective in Counter-Strike 2. In this new game, players can now actually see their feet when they look down. This isn’t a big deal, but it’s still a nice feature of CS2. Currently, in CS:GO, you can’t see your feet and it feels like your in-game avatar is flying.

In CS2, you can now recognize your character better. Jumping on boxes and bunny hops will also be a little different when you can see their feet. Although it’s very entertaining for veteran players, it does feel a bit offbeat. This is a video game, after all, so some quirkiness is fine.

15. New gun models and updated skins

Gun models have also been updated in CS2, and in addition to this, the appearance of existing skins (confirmed to be ported from CS:GO to CS2) has changed significantly. All skins look really cool thanks to the new Source 2 engine, which brings a lot of visual changes to the lighting system and materials in the game. The C4 Bomb also has a new look.

Valve says all stock weapons will be upgraded to better high-resolution models, resulting in many existing skins looking better. Players are trying to observe the sunlight reflecting off different skins. In my opinion, the knife looks the best. To display, take ” Ursus Knife” as an example. Marble Fade can be found in the following tweet (courtesy of X.com, formerly @burgerbang_ on Twitter):

16. Two new types of knives (leak)

Two new knives have been spotted in the Counter-Strike 2 beta game files from Twitter, courtesy of Twitter user @_ale_cs. They are called Kukri and Twin Blades . So how many types of knives are there in Counter-Strike 2? Adding up the previous knife styles, the game has added a total of 21 knife styles (including the default “Classic Knife”). It’s currently unknown if these knives will be available in-game, but we’re hoping for a summer release.

17. Better bots with new interactions

Users who have been playing the game since the beta release say the bots are better in Counter-Strike 2 and there are new interactions. Although it is possible to call the bot to a specific location, this feature does not work well in its current state. It is also not available as a UI feature, but can be accessed from the developer console.

You can place bots in areas, but they’re a bit broken and don’t follow freezes. @basisspace pic.twitter.com/txYw5MJCSs — Elias (@fREQUENCYCS) March 23, 2023

18. New in-game UI

Counter-Strike 2’s user interface is brand new, with many visual changes to the game’s HUD and main menu. This includes a new look for in-game moments such as the team selection screen, end-of-match phase, and more. The Valorant-inspired UI also includes the ability to display kill counts . Every time a player gets a kill, a visual representation appears at the bottom, and when they get 5 kills, the card deck is complete and lights up to represent an ace.

19. New radio announcement

Counter-Strike 2 may add new radio announcements and character voice lines. These are not currently used in the game’s limited beta testing, but are present in the game’s files. I have no doubt that these will be included in the next update of CS2.

20. The crosshair moves due to the recoil of the gun.

Counter-Strike 2 includes a new feature that players can toggle from in-game settings that, when enabled, causes the aim to follow the gun’s spray pattern (Courtesy of @fREQUENCYCS on Twitter). It certainly feels weird at first, but if you’re already used to spraying and following patterns in CS:GO, turning on this setting will make it harder to aim.

However, for new players just starting the game, this feature will help them understand how guns work. Some players have criticized this feature and want it removed, but in my opinion, many of these new CS2 features are implemented to make them more accessible and easy to understand for beginners. It should be left.

You can set the crosshair to move according to the recoil of the gun. pic.twitter.com/ghhXENew6N — Elias (@fREQUENCYCS) March 23, 2023

Counter-Strike 2 bonus features/changes

Features and changes that may be considered more minor are noted in this section of the article. If you find any new features or differences between CS2 and CS:GO, please let us know.

19. Wallbans are back in Counter-Strike 1.6

This could be a bug or an unconfirmed change that Valve is waiting for feedback on, but it’s actually happening in the CS2 beta at this point. The nostalgic CS 1.6-day-old wall-blow may be back in Counter-Strike 2. The walls are paper thin and people are firing from CT-Base to kill people in A-Short on the de_dust2 map. That’s just one example, but for another example, check out this video from Twitter user @JosiahCSGO that shows how ridiculous wall hitting has become. He shows you how to defeat your enemies on A Short’s A Long catwalk. It’s really amazing and crazy at the same time.

20. Throw smoke across the map

CS2 allows you to throw smoke across the map. It is not confirmed whether the skybox is fully open or if that change is intended, but if it is, it will change how smoke is used tactically in this game. That’s it. Similar to Valorant, you can also see guides on how to line up grenades for specific situations. For example, a player can throw smoke from Dust 2’s B site and have it land within A Long.

You can literally throw smoke all over the map with no problem. This is going to be really interesting. pic.twitter.com/3L45KStNB5 — Elias (@fREQUENCYCS) March 23, 2023

Update : The patch notes detailed by Valve here state that certain rooftops have been sealed off to prevent grenades from landing where they shouldn’t. It is unclear whether throwing smoke across the map will be possible in the future, or if it is unintentional in limited testing for now.

21. New Source 2 tools for community cartographers

Community map creators can now use new tools powered by the Source 2 engine to develop maps for Counter-Strike 2. As confirmed by Valve, the Source 2 item workshop will also be enabled soon in Best Test.

22. Jump Scout (SSG-08) is back and more accurate

As you may recall, the SSG-08 was previously used to perform jump shots on people. This was changed at some point in CS:GO and the mechanic was significantly weakened. Now it’s back. The SSG-08, commonly referred to as The Scout, is a lightweight sniper weapon that allows you to easily perform accurate jump shots. At this time, there is no information as to whether this mechanic will be nerfed again.

The accuracy of the scout jump is very high, and the speed of the running scope is also slightly faster than in CSGO. pic.twitter.com/r8dzmQOvpE

— Elias (@fREQUENCYCS) March 23, 2023

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