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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012) (commonly abbreviated as CS:GO) is a competitive first-person shooting game. You play either a counter-terrorist or terrorist. The objective changes based on the game-mode you play but generally, game modes are terrorists versus counter-terrorists with a few exceptions.

In the main mode, it is the terrorist's goal to plant a bomb within a certain amount of time, while the counter-terrorists aim to stop the terrorists from planting the bomb or defuse the bomb after its planted. Alternatively, the terrorists may be guarding hostages while the counter-terrorists try to free the hostages. The format of the game changes depending on which map is being played.

CS:GO provides both casual and competitive experiences, however, the competitive game mode is the main appeal to most players. Here, you need to choose and manage resources carefully as funds for weapons and utilities such as flashbangs or smoke grenades are limited.

The game's shooting mechanism has an emphasis on realism and offers no assistance. This means that each gun shoots differently, in terms of reload, range, recoil and damage so you need to learn how each works if you want to succeed.

The game also provides a small scale battle-royale mode for up to 18 players. This mode still uses the same shooting mechanisms as other game modes giving it a large difficulty curve with a focus on precision shooting.

Our examiner, Jonah Monaghan, first checked Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 4 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Series). Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is an Action and Shooting game with Strategy and Traversal elements. You can play this by yourself or as a 10-player online game. Competitive games are up to 10 players. Casual game modes can have up to 20 players and custom servers can have up to 255 players at any given time (however this is very uncommon).

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: It takes between 1 minute and 3 minutes to play a round of this game. In competitive games, rounds can range from a few seconds to up to 2 minutes and 35 seconds. Each game is played best of 30 rounds meaning the first to 16 rounds wins and a tie at 15-15. Since players are penalised for leaving games early it is advised to be prepared to play for up to an hour and a half before starting a match. This time estimate includes warmup, half-time, and preparation time.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 18+ for realistic-looking violence towards vulnerable characters; it is possible to shoot restrained hostages.
 
User-Generated Content: This game includes content created by other players, such as maps, outfits and items, that are not reflected in the game rating.
 
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Mature Accompanied (MA 15+) for strong violence.

Account Rating

You don’t need a platform subscription to play this game online.

CostsCosts

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

XBox Store Xbox 360 Free
PlayStation Store PS3 Free
Steam Store PC Free
Steam Store PC Free
App Store Mac Free
Steam Store Mac Free
This game is free to play, but there are other costs associated with this game:
  • In-Game Loot Boxes: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience. These include in-game purchases of random items (known as 'loot boxes') that offer a chance of getting rare/higher-value items although common/lower-value items are more frequent.
  • In-Game Pass: Purchase a season/battle pass to gain access to limited in-game purchases, reward items and other aspects of the game.
 
CS:GO offers a Prime Upgrade to let players into priority servers with better speeds and more trusted players. CS:GO also provides loot-boxes that can be obtained for free however they require real-world money to be opened. The items provided in these loot-boxes are cosmetic only.

For example, Operation Broken Fang content adds a new competitive mode, a detailed personal statistics display, all-new agents, weapon collections, stickers, and more, available exclusively to Operation pass holders. Additionally, the update introduces the fast-paced Retakes Mode which is available for all players. 
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 12/08/2012

Price: Free

Out Now: Mac, PC, PS3 and Xbox 360

Players: 1 (10 online)

Genres: Action, Shooting (Strategy and Traversal)

Accessibility: 26 features

Components: 3D First-Person

Developer: Valve Software (@ValveSoftware)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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