New Maps, New Missions

By Alex McLain

Counter-Strike veterans know its original maps down to the last pixel and can call out the sniper’s nests and ambush sites without hesitation. But mortal men will want to learn what’s in store when Counter-Strike ™ for Xbox arrives. Even you vets will want to study up; Counter-Strike comes with updated maps and features, so to stay on top of the field, read on to find out what’s new to the game ... or face hearing it from the terrorist scum that’ll be taking you out.

Maps
There are seven original maps in the Xbox version of Counter-Strike, bringing new challenges to even the most experienced player. In addition, the most popular maps have been ported over, including Aztec, Inferno, Italy, and fan favorite Dust, and they’re all graphically enhanced. So although you might recognize the layout, the visuals are now better than ever—an important point for a game that prides itself on combat accuracy, with ladders that creak underfoot, gun recoil that affects firing accuracy, and high caliber weapons that penetrate walls. You now even lose hearing when you’re caught at the edge of explosions.

Counter-Strikemaps provide quite a few playgrounds to choose from. Play as a terrorist and spread your threat across the globe: Havana, Miami, winter wonderland Vostok, or the Japanese compound Truth. And as a counter-terrorist agent, your next firefight might erupt just about anywhere—the concrete maze of a sports stadium, office space corridors, or even the depths of a subway system.

The maps also determine the mission: Demolition (a.k.a. Bomb/Defuse) or Hostage Rescue. But it’s up to you which side of the fence you play, as terrorist or counter-terrorist agent. Each side has its own mission goals and arsenal of gear to achieve them; only the terrorists can purchase AK-47s and Mac-10s, for example, whereas the counter-terrorists have sole access to the Bullpup rifle and sleek Schmidt Machine Pistol. All fine tools that get the job done.

Missions: Terrorist
When you play as a terrorist, your missions fall into a more defensive nature. After all, while you’re busy plotting your crimes, the counter-terrorists are actively hunting you down.

In Demolition, you’ll scramble around to find one of the map’s target sites. These sites are where you plant your bomb to inflict maximum structural damage and casualties. After you set the charge, you’ll then need to take up position and hold off the counter-terrorists. They’ll be alerted as soon as the bomb timer starts. In the end, it’s somewhat of a pyrrhic victory—you win if the bomb goes off, taking out everyone in the vicinity.

The second mission, Hostage Rescue, begins with your side already in possession of a number of hostages: enemy politicos, bank employees, downed pilots, and the like. When the mission begins, the counter-terrorists immediately launch their rescue attempt, so set up your defense as quickly as possible. Remember: To win, the counter-terrorists have to reach the hostages, so plan your ambush points around them accordingly.

Missions: Counter-Terrorist
Thought the terrorists had it rough? The counter-terrorist role is even more of a heart-stopper. Their missions are offense-driven, with the ever-present risk of turning the wrong corner and inhaling a sniper’s bullet. But that’s why you took the job—it’s the danger you’re after, not the paycheck.

In Demolition, foreign compounds, airstrips, and supply stations are all at risk—but in each case you have two chances to save the day. Your first objective is to eliminate the terrorists before they can even plant the bomb. Failing that, defuse the bomb before it detonates. Just keep your hands steady, and don’t cut the wrong wire. In most cases, the bomb defuse kit is highly recommended—not only to beat the bomb’s timer, but to cut down the time you have to spend out in the open, fending off those terrorists sniping the bomb site.

In Hostage Rescue, you storm the heavily defended areas where the hostages are being held: foreign compounds, banks, or safe houses. Unlike the mad rush of Demolition, in this mission the terrorists have more time to set up their defense. If you can get to the hostages, instruct them to follow you to safety. But take care—vengeful terrorists can still gun them down … and hostages don’t wear Kevlar.

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