Counter-Strike’s history has definitely been interesting… and it has come with all sorts of different iterations. And the newest is Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) – which is a free upgrade which is considered the largest technical leap ever. With ever-smoother gameplay and better visual effects, it offers a whole new world.
Unsurprisingly, since the game was first released, most players have happily made the transition to the new version, excited about the updated graphics, even better mechanics, and exciting new gameplay. However, there are still a number of players in the Counter-Strike gaming community who are interested in continuing to play Counter-Strike: Global Offensive despite the release of this very impressive successor. And this then raises an important question: how can you still play CS:GO after CS2’s launch… and why would you even want to?
Well, wonder no more. In this guide, we are going to look at exactly how you can continue playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as well as take you through all the steps to access legacy servers or offline modes, and take a look at some of the reasons why you might still prefer CS:GO over CS2.
How to Play CS After the Release of CS2
Although CS2 has now completely replaced CS:GO as the default version of the game on Steam, there are still ways for you to play the game if you’re still hankering after the classic version. What’s more, it’s pretty easy to do – so here’s our detailed guide on how you can continue accessing and playing CS:GO… even after the release of CS2.
- Open up your Steam Library and right-click where it says Counter Strike 2.
- From the menu, click on ‘Properties.’
- Then, choose the ‘Beta’ button.
- Pick ‘csgo_legacy’ from the ‘Beta Participation’ dropdown menu.
- Steam will then automatically download the CS:GO legacy version of the game.
- As soon as it has downloaded, whenever you go to play CS2, you’ll be given the option to choose between CS:GO and CS2… and you just need to pick CS:GO!
However – that’s right now… and we don’t know if Valve will give players this option for much longer – as it’s the only way you can access it right now. Previous to this Valve kept past versions of the game separate from CS:GO on Steam – but because CS2 is considered more as an upgrade rather than a new version, it’s possible CS:GO could eventually get rid of the old version completely.
But let’s not worry about that just yet, as it seems likely that it will be available for a while yet. While there are still CS:GO tournaments happening, you’ll still be able to access your favourite CSGO game modes and maps… for now.
Playing Offline or on LAN
Another way you can keep on enjoying CS:GO is by playing the game in offline mode or via LAN. This is a great option for anyone who wants to keep on playing with friends or bots, practise their skills, or just enjoy the custom game modes without needing online servers. It’s also really easy to do:
How to Play CS:GO Offline:
So, let’s look at how this is done…
- Step 1: Launch CSLegacy (using the steps that we went through above).
- Step 2: When you get to the main menu, click on Play and choose Offline with Bots.
- Step 3: You should now be able to play all your favorite classic CS:GO maps, as well as modify bot difficulty, and practise various movement and utility throws.
For LAN play, CSLegacy still supports the same local network setup that the original CS had, so you are still able to host and join servers over a LAN.
Accessing Community Servers
Community servers have always been a massive part of the Counter-Strike ecosystem – and you can still access the same servers in CSLegacy. Having said that, you’ll find that the server population is a lot smaller, with more and more players transferring over to CS2. However, some of the most popular CS servers are likely to keep on operating for anyone who doesn’t want to leave the original game behind.
How to Join a Community Server:
- Step 1: Launch CSLegacy.
- Step 2: Choose ‘Find a Game’ from the main menu.
- Step 3: Click on the Community Server Browser to find any servers that are still hosting CS:GO game modes.
- Step 4: You can use the filters to find the specific game modes or community maps you’re looking for – like surfing or bhop.
Why You Might Want to Play CS:GO After CS2’s Release
So, why is this question actually being asked? Why are players still wanting to go back to the old game even after this highly impressive free upgrade?
Nostalgia, Familiarity and Comfort
Some people don’t like leaving their comfort zones… and lots of players have dedicated literally years to the game, perfecting their skills and strategies, mastering all the different maps, and getting used to all the various mechanics that defined the game. CS:GO has been a part of the gaming landscape seemingly forever – for well over a decade, and for many, it’s more than just a game – it’s a place of familiarity, comfort, and somewhere they can get a real sense of accomplishment, especially if they are up there with the very best players in the highest levels. Ultimately, switching over to CS2 might feel like they have to start over from scratch.
Then there are those players who have an emotional connection to the game – with memories and experiences that are all tied to that specific era of their gaming life. While there is no doubt that CS2 is definitely a new and improved version of the game, the feel of CS:GO is irreplaceable to some of those players who just want to enjoy the mechanics and features they grew up with.
Community Servers and Custom Gaming Modes
Throughout the many years it’s been around, CS has managed to build up a real community-driven ecosystem that is full of various custom servers and game modes – like surfing, bhop, jailbreak, and all sorts. Although more and more of these game modes are being added to CS2, right now, the massive library of content that has been created by the CS:GO community is still much more plentiful than that in CS2. So, if you’re a player who loves unique modes like Zombie Escape, KZ Climbing, or the host of various other modded servers, the call of CS:GO is still irresistible.
Although there’s no doubt that CS2 will keep on updating and growing its custom game scene, the groundwork that has been laid by CS is huge, and it will probably take a long time before CS2 can even try to match the variety of custom content that CS:GO offers.
Some Players Still Have Older Hardware
Not all players have the resources to equip themselves with high-end gaming PCs and equipment. While CS2 has upgraded its graphics and runs on the more demanding Source 2 engine, CS:GO is a game that runs more efficiently on a wider range of hardware, so it’s still the better option if you’re a player that has a less powerful computer. If you’re not in the position to upgrade your setup right now – or you just prefer the performance of CS on your older hardware, you might find that you want to stick with it for a bit longer yet.
Competition and Playing Style
If you consider yourself a competitive player, you may well find that there’s a bit of a learning curve with CS2 – its physics, movement, and even its shooting mechanics. Although CS2 comes with the advantage of better visuals, there are some elements of its gameplay – such as hit registration, recoil, and utility usage, that feel a lot different to the CS:GO game.
Those players who prefer CS: GO’s more refined mechanics may well want to carry on competing in the CS:GO leagues and matchmaking system until they get a bit more comfortable with the upgraded CS2.
Then, of course, there are professional and semi-professional players who still view the older version of the game as the very pinnacle of competitive FPS games. Some devotees of the game think that it has a balance, along with years of community refinement, that gives it a level of competitive integrity that will take time for CS2 to reach.
The Main Differences Between CS:GO and CS2
If you haven’t yet ventured over to the world of CS2… and you’re not sure how it will differ from the game that you know and love, let’s take a look at what you can expect.
Even Better Graphics and Visuals
The new CS2 runs on the new Source 2 engine, which basically means a massive upgrade in terms of the game’s graphics, lighting, and overall detail. The maps have also been completely overhauled so they now look even more realistic, having dynamic lighting and better textures. If you compare it to CS:GO, you’ll definitely notice that the older game looks a lot more dated.
The Hit Registration and Tick Rates
One of the biggest improvements that comes with CS2 is the introduction of sub-tick rates. Instead of relying on the basic 64-tick or 128-tick servers, CS2 is able to process actions like shooting and moving based on sub-tick timing, which, theoretically, should offer an even more precise hit registration and, thus, a much smoother overall gaming experience. CSGO, on the other hand, is stuck with a tick-based system.
Game Physics and Movement
CS2 has also introduced a few subtle changes to movement and physics, which can make it all feel a bit different to play, especially for veteran CS players. Although the core mechanics of strafing and shooting are still pretty much the same, some of the older players have brought up the issue that movement in the new game feels a bit different because of the changes in how the Source 2 engine deals with how players move and collide.
Utility and Smoke Grenades
A massive change in CS2 gameplay is how they have reworked smoke grenades. In the new version, smokes are a lot more dynamic – and even more realistic in terms of how they fill spaces and temporarily disperse whenever a grenade or bullet interacts with them. This change can massively impact the utility usage in the game – in comparison, the smoke mechanics in CS:GO are a lot more predictable.
Sound and Audio
The audio has also had an upgrade. The background and environmental sounds are more realistic and immersive, which makes it easier to pinpoint the location of your enemies. CS:GO sounds are good… but not that good!
The Future of CS:GO – Can It Survive?
There’s no doubt that CS2 is definitely the future of Counter-Strike… but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end for CS:GO.
Like some of the other classic games, CS could well continue to attract an audience with certain types of players – particularly anyone who actually prefers the older mechanics or hasn’t got the means to upgrade their gaming systems.
In a similar way to how lots of players still play the older versions of games like Team Fortress Classic or StarCraft, CS could manage to survive as a ‘legacy game’ – as there are bound to be some players who have spent a lot of time practising to become the best of the best – and simply don’t want to make that move and start over again.-
Modding and Customized Content
The custom content and modding community in CS has always been one of the biggest strengths of the game – and if modders keep on creating new content for CS, it may keep the game going for longer… especially for anyone who actually prefers some of the less traditional game modes like surf or deathrun.
Esports and Competitions
It’s pretty much a given that eventually (sooner rather than later), the professional scene will make the full transition to CS2. However, it may be that some grassroots and semi-professional tournaments will still include the traditional CS:GO for a while yet… fingers crossed!
Why You Should Make the Shift to CS2
If you’re someone who’s still reluctant to make that move, there are several reasons why you really should be considering it.
Although technically, you can still play CS:GO – even after the release of CS2, the reality of the situation is that there aren’t any official servers or matchmaking services available for Global Offensive anymore. So, although you can play private matches against bots and friends, maybe you won’t actually be able to play properly against other players like you can in CS2. The sad fact of the matter is that for both the servers and the players, it’s all shifted over to CS2, and there’s no going back.
On the positive side, you still get to explore all the old maps in their original form and can enjoy the nostalgia that they bring as you attempt to make that transition to the new world.
How to Play CS:GO FAQs
What are the Main Differences between CS2 and CS:GO?
Basically, the new CS2 game runs on the Source 2 engine, which means you get even better graphics, physics, and lighting. It has also introduced updated smoke mechanics, an even more realistic sound design, and better weapon accuracy. CS:GO still uses the older Source engine which makes it less advanced than the newer game.
Can I Still Play CS:GO Ever After the Release of CS2?
Yes… sort of. While you can still technically access the game, there aren’t any official servers or matchmaking options available anymore, so you can only play private matches against friends or against bots. These days, most players and servers have moved over to CS2.
Are the Maps the Same in CS2?
Lots of the maps from CS have made the move over to CS2, but they look even better, thanks to technical improvements. Some have just undergone a few little tweaks, while there are some others, like Dust 2, that have had whole new elements added, like crates, that actually affect how you play the map.
Is CS2 Free to Play?
Yes, CS2 is also free to play and basically follows the same model as CS. As normal, you can play the game for free, but you have the option to make in-game purchases – such as skins and various other items.