Publisher: Sierra
Ages: teens & up
Parental
Advisory:
Violent fightin
Counter-Strike was a fantastic game in its day and remains a popular one today. And after a long three year development period, Sierra's Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, finally hits the market. After all this time, the game remains a great shooter with enhanced single-player action and some additions for multi-play.
Like the original, Condition Zero is a team-based tactical shooter that depicts counter-terrorists fighting terrorists. In Condition Zero's single-play mode, players command a squad of computer-controlled team-mates through 20 missions that ask them to rescue hostages, defuse bombs and more, and that are set in jungles, deserts and urban areas.
Players have an arsenal of weaponry and equipment available to their teams, which include bulletproof shields, shotguns, assault rifles and more. Based on their performance, players may earn money to purchase weapons in future rounds.
Computer-controlled teammates have varying expertise, aggressiveness and attitudes. For the most part, the game's impressive artificial intelligence makes for some fairly realistic team members and bad guys.
As you would expect from a Counter-Strike game, multi-player gaming options are strong. A co-op mode lets players take on missions together and there are in-depth and entertaining online options. The game looks great with well rendered characters and atmospheric effects for rain and snow, but overall, looks much like the original game. As you would expect, a game that depicts terrorism is a violent one.
While Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is an entertaining game, it's much like the original. Those who want a version that they may play without going online may enjoy the title. On the other hand, those who have already played (and played) Counter-Strike may find little that's new.
3/29/04 www.daytrum.com editorial staff
