Counter-Strike has finally arrived on the Xbox, and it’s going to own you. Well, your time anyway. Time is of the essence in Counter-Strike™ for Xbox. A split second can mean the difference between victory and defeat, and the team that reaches the objective first gains an undeniable advantage. Before you go on Xbox Live, you need to know the maps like the inside of your riot helmet. Today, we’re looking at the subway-themed Fastline and the tropical, embargo-ravaged Havana.
Fastline (Demolition) Location: Japan Teams: Kitodai (Counter-Terrorist) vs. Akunin (Terrorist) Recommended Weapons: Shotguns and Smoke Grenades
This map is tighter than the inside of a Tokyo studio apartment and filled with bright fluorescents that leave few shadows. To move secretly, you’ll need to hit the vents. Though the goal of the Akunin terrorists is to blow up a subway train, only one of the bomb points is located within the open train (where, conveniently enough, the Kitodai counter-terrorists usually spawn). The other bomb target is nearby, at the base of a set of escalators. A connected maze of vents allows both teams to move quietly between points; use them, but memorize where they drop out. It’s no good to jump into the middle of an open room and get your hinder shot off. Long-range weapons are pretty pointless here, so go for weapons with a high rate of fire or the stopping power of shotguns. Grenades must be used with caution. They can easily bounce back on you.
Counter-Terrorists You’ll spawn near the train bomb target. Post a shotgun packing counter-terrorist here with high-explosive grenades and a sturdy submachine gun (SMG) or shotgun and have him move from one side of the train to another, looking for terrorists. Send the rest of the team to the second target, through vents or by way of the ground floor. Approaching the target from the top of the escalators is the perfect way to get caught in a crossfire from all sides.
Terrorists If you’re headed for the train, consider approaching from the vent. Drop a grenade to clear the area below you; then, pick off anyone you can from above. Set the bomb in one end of the train or the other—make ‘em hunt for it. If you choose the second bomb target, post guards on either side of the escalators (not on the escalators), where they can take out counter-terrorists approaching from above or below.
Havana (Hostage Rescue) Location: Cuba Teams: Seal Team 6 (Counter-Terrorist) vs. NTO Militia (Terrorist) Recommended Weapons: Sniper weapons, high-explosive grenades
Havana is currently my favorite hostage rescue map. (There are only four for now, but hopefully more will come via download). NTO terrorists are holding hostages on the second floor of a blasted-out compound, filled with blown-out walls and floors with gaping holes in them. Assuming you’ve got at least three players on each team, you’ll have two groups of hostages in back-to-back rooms, each of which offers a view of the opposite courtyard and quick access to the ground floor. Each team should have at least one sniper, as there are ample opportunities for long-range potshots. Stay out of the gazebo, though. It looks well-protected, but it isn’t.
Counter-Terrorists Move hostages in two-man teams if possible. The terrorists will often come out to sweep the rescue area, so consider leaving a counter-terrorist behind to guard it and eliminate the bad guys as they patrol. Watch for terrorist snipers, and approach the hostages by moving through broken walls and tunnels whenever possible.
Terrorists With a three-man team, post a sniper with each group of hostages and have them watch the windows for counter-terrorists moving through the courtyard, leaving a roving lookout to watch both sides. If you have a four-man team, keep the snipers, and post two lookouts. Try posting at least one guard on the ground floor, looking up through a hole into the second level, where you can often catch counter-terrorists unawares as they move into the building.
