The changes to the maps in CS2 are arguably the biggest shifting of a major eSports title we have seen recently. On top of the biggest gameplay changes, how the maps look, feel, and operate have all shifted – some more dramatically than others. The maps are like fine wine and will almost certainly get better with each update as time goes on, but for now, they are under the scrutiny of gamers.
The world of Counter-Strike has seen their favorite homes get torn down, reworked, lifted, and morphed, and this will certainly upset many people. It’s had a huge impact on the world of professional tournaments, creating a spike of interest in betting and the way that stakes are handled. People are taking different approaches both to the way that they place bets and the way that they pay, which has led to many fans trying out esports betting at Thunderpick with Bitcoin, as well as exploring other crypto options for wagering. A lot of people find it’s more fun when they’ve got some skin in the game, but that doesn’t change the fact that many professional CS players and recreational weekend gamers have some gripes with CS2 and the new maps – so let’s check those out!
Some maps have been lauded for their graphical boost, bringing to life some incredible and historic FPS maps. Others have been criticized heavily for framerate drops, poor visibility, and a poor balance for each team. We’re going to take a look at each map and see how it has fared after it has been renovated from CS:GO to CS2.
The Overpass Dilemma
The biggest elephant in the room is, of course, Overpass. The beloved map of CS:GO has had a rough transition over to CS2. The poor visibility issues have surfaced, with some players even pointing to it not being fit for competitive gameplay. The sounds and mechanics around moving have also faced huge issues and reports from players. The map’s design has faced constant criticism, and something has to give. One thing is for certain: a few updates are not going to fix this.
Dust II: Still a Classic
Dust II is still a timeless masterpiece of Counter-Strike. The gameplay is still serene and perfect, and the graphical boost is something it needed for a long time. The map is a favorite of so many CS:GO fans, who have played it for decades now, so people are glad that it did not get a major uplift.
Mirage: The CS:GO Staple
Mirage is another map that, like Dust II, has withstood the upgrade to CS2 and maintained everything that kept it as the staple map of Counter-Strike. The Middle-Eastern-based map has maintained a balanced style, with equal sightlines and fair strategic chokepoints that make it a great CS2 map.
Inferno: A Modern Tactical Setting
Inferno has become one of the more popular maps on CS:GO, especially for the layout, allowing many strategic plays that both eSports teams and friends playing on the weekend can carry out. Whether it is a waterfall from apartments or rushing up Banana to B, there are tactics you do on Inferno that not only make it fun but also keep it tactically intuitive.
Anubis: Growing in Popularity
Anubis was growing in fandom on CS:GO shortly before the move to CS2, and now CS players love the Egypt-based map. The map is multi-layered, with complex alleys and sites that are tough to breach, and even tougher to hold. Whether you are holding sewers or trying to push A site, Anubis is incredibly strategic and requires tactical knowledge to become a winning player on the map.
Nuke: Maintaining a Vertical Challenge
Nuke has always had a lot of fans for the way it is stacked on itself, with bomb site A sitting right above bombsite B. Not only does this make it unique, but it requires incredible movement to be a top Nuke player. You need to be able to detect sounds on different sites, work out how you can maneuver yourself to the right spot, and keep your team aligned with good plays and tactics.
Ancient: A Huge Visual Boost
Ancient looked relatively poor on CS:GO compared to some of its counterparts, but now, after the update, the map looks unbelievable. Like a set straight out of Indiana Jones, the map is now well-balanced and lush, yet not overly distracting like in the previous Counter-Strike. The balancing of mind, as well as both sites, makes it a great choice for competitive battles.
Vertigo: Sound Upgrades Welcome
Set on a skyscraper and posing a similar vertical conundrum to Nuke, hearing the right sounds is crucial on this map. The renovation looks incredible, but the sound upgrades are most important. Now, you will never have to worry about hearing a plant and not being sure which site it is. You have to be extra cautious with each step you make, as enemies will be able to locate you far more precisely.
The Introduction of Heat Map Changes The Game
By changing the way maps are voted in, you can now go through and see where your enemies play their best CS. A dynamic heat map in the voting stages allows you to see which maps your opposition wins on the most, allowing you to make data-driven decisions when selecting your maps. Some maps continue to be as balanced on the current Counter-Strike as the last one, with Dust II and Mirage maintaining their position as pillars in the map pool. Some maps like Overpass require some deep TLC and renovation in order to hit the same kind of love and competitive level.
When you pick your map, the idea of tactical advantage and strategic bonuses should be at the forefront. With the recent upgrades and the heat map showing who wins on which map, you can elevate your CS rank to even greater heights by being a map aficionado.
