The design of maps in the Counter-Strike series is the definition of conservative. Chances are, when you launch your next match, you’ll play on a map with an asymmetric design and a layout based on four squares. It will have two spawn areas, the goal will be to destroy your opponent, and the meeting points will be located in improvised arenas. And it works perfectly: for example, Dust 2 is as popular today as it was twenty years ago.
Sometimes, however, map-makers opt for experimentation to create a truly unique experience. Their maps are regular works of art that turn the idea of the game upside down. Today, the CS.MONEY Blog is going to tell you about three such maps.
Destructible Inferno
The idea of destructible map elements isn’t new for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. For instance, Nuke has four windows above A Site that can be broken. And players do it rather often: breaking them enables you to throw a bunch of interesting nades right from outdoors.
But you probably haven’t seen a fully destructible map. And it’s too bad: the Steam Workshop does feature locations like that. One example would be Destructible Inferno. Executed in the best tradition of Battlefield Levolution, it allows you to destroy half of the environment with explosions, whilst blowing up the C4 can even make the tower collapse! It looks pretty impressive.
Besides, it refreshes the gameplay significantly. After all, destructible covers prevent you from sitting in one place all the time, and explosives allow you to create new improvised passages on the fly. After hundreds of games on the usual Inferno, a match on its destructible version feels like a whole other ball game!
AIM ROGUE INFERNO
Maps designed for shootouts are often similar to each other. A square arena, a few rows of covers, and a bunch of guns lying on the floor. Sometimes — in BLAST events, for instance — such maps are complicated by height differences, additional objects, and the ability to outflank the enemy while flaunting the skins acquired on surf servers.
But there are some nice exceptions, incredibly nice. We’re talking about the map AIM ROGUE INFERNO. Or should we say the maps? Thing is, this arena for firefights is generated anew each time. Whenever you launch the map, the result is one of 30,000,000 versions. To put the number into perspective: if you spend as little even a minute on each generated version, it would take you 57 years of continuous play to see everything!
Since there are no pre-fires or familiar timings, combat on this map is a pure test of personal skill. Each time, you adapt from scratch and test your reaction. A truly exciting experience.
Death Racers
Have you watched Squid Game? A memorable show — and the next map in the selection is evocative of it. A few years ago, sniper13g started working on a map where winning is not about destroying the opposing team or planting the C4, but about overcoming an obstacle course.
Sounds like a simple task? And it doesn’t look particularly original, either: maps with surfs and jumps feature similar ideas. But sniper13g’s design called Death Racers is cooler. Gameplay-wise, it resembles Mario Cart, albeit distantly. All players start behind one and the same line and then rush to the finish line, overcoming obstacles and collecting bonuses.
In the process, the usual jog turns into an actual adrenaline rush not entirely dissimilar to the last round in some royal battle. Unfortunately, you can’t play this map on a regular server. Nevertheless, we suggest that you do give it a go and try it out at least a couple of times with your friends. A whale of a time is guaranteed.
We usually visit the Workshop for new weapon finishes. Valve doesn’t add maps from there to the tournament pool. We only get to enjoy rotation sometimes, with maps added to the game so that you can launch them directly from the menu. It’s a shame those rotations don’t include any of the maps listed above. They’re nothing short of awesome.
Do not forget that we are undergoing a CS.MONEY Xmas Robbery, where you can make yourself a gift for the New Year by defeating the bad Santa!
