CS:GO is just loads of fun. I can jump in anytime I want, play for a few hours, and then quit until I feel like playing

CS:GO is just loads of fun. I can jump in anytime I want, play for a few hours, and then quit until I feel like playing again. I never feel an obligation to grind my way through defeat after defeat just to catch up to other players. Nor do I find myself suppressing the urge to play because I know I've fallen too far behind.

Before I sign off, let me address why I think CS:GO is worth picking up over the classic CS 1 . 6 or CS: S. Valve hasn't modernized the basic mechanics or scrapped the classic maps—that would be sacrilege—but it's made a plethora of little enhancements that, in my view, make the game more modern and enjoyable. For example , players now get assist points when they inflict damage but die before getting a full kill. In older versions of CS, you could get someone down to a single health point and receive zero credit when another player finished him off. No longer.

On top of that, Valve has transplanted the multiplayer matchmaking and dedicated server mojo from cs go skins its other, more recent titles, so getting into the action (either alone or with your friends) is now much easier. There are new game modes, if you don't mind the odd departure from the classic formula, and the graphics have gotten a much-needed coat of fresh paint. CS:GO still looks slightly dated next toBattlefield 3, but it's nowhere near as old-school as even CS: S. Don't get me wrong; graphics don't make or break a good game. But that doesn't mean a little eye candy can't improve the overall experience.

When I first read about CS:GO, I expected it to be a watered-down, prettied-up version of the original geared toward console players. Now, I see it's every bit as authentic as its predecessors, and it actually improves upon them in very tangible ways. If you've given up on other multiplayer shooters out of frustration-as I almost did-then try CS:GO. Trust me. For $14. 99, it's more than worth a shot-and Steam has it on sale for $11. 24 today.