As you gamers should be aware the beta for the latest addition to the Counter-Strike franchise went live on the 30th, there have been a large selection of people who have been badmouthing the game already within it's first few days of being live,
CS: GO features new maps, characters, and weapons and delivers updated versions of the classic CS content (de_dust, etc.). In addition, CS: GO will introduce new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leader boards, and more.
Having had the privilege to play the game myself I can say that I think it's truly beautiful and Valve/Hidden Path Entertainment have done well in my eyes so far; and I've only seen one map and one game-type.
Sadly there is currently only one map available on the beta and this is the old favorite, Dust, the map features the same layout as previous CS however it has a few little extras to make it look fresh and up-to-date. One major edit to the map is that there is now a stairwell/passage which leads around from the ledge to the underpass which really throws you off-guard first time around.
I think the graphics are great for the game it is. CS players have never been raging and demanding super OMGWTFBBQPWN graphics, they love the style of the game, the feel of the mouse and the way it's played, having super high-tech graphics would just slow them down and make the game less wide-spread across the world in requiring shit-hot computers to run it...
The buy menu is beautiful and easy to navigate, obviously first time players will take a round or to to get their buys in sync but after a few games you should be good to buy your gear in a matter of seconds.
The buy menu shows you what you have already on your person, it then splits into the weapon/equipment categories, you don't have to click specific little buttons just move your mouse in that direction and it'll highlight it. You can also "Auto Buy" which will equip you with the best items you can afford.
The 'Re-Buy Previous' is a nice thing to have at hand and allows you to re-buy everything you had the round previous (if you have the cash).
Two great little pieces of equipment have been added to the new game: rush-blocking molotov cocktails and decoy grenades that emit sounds of gunfire when thrown, both are excellent additions to the game and will in time make teams and players re-think strategies and tactics.
The game is fun, of course it is! The only downer I felt was that there was only one map available and one game type open on beta, other than that I thought it was well made so far and by 2012 when it's due for release it will be one of the best FPS out there.
Another excellent thing about this game is that cross-platform multiplayer has been confirmed between Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and PlayStation 3...This could prove to be very exciting in the future.
I will warn you now though, there is already a few shit-hot snipers about so when the game does go live I really think shit will hit the fan.
Below are a bunch of screen-shots of the buy menu/weapons so far, enjoy.
Here's one "Before & After" image I found on the web, it shows how pretty they've made it.
