Counter Strike: Global Offensive, released in 2012, is one of the most popular games on Steam. With its unique competitive gamemode, large skill ceiling, and dedicated community, CS:GO is one of the premier PC shooters on the market. Yet with its specialization, it lacks variety with only four main game modes and a small set of maps. But for 18 weeks, the Operation Hydra will provide new content for veterans and newcomers alike. With 3 game sets on rotation throughout the weeks, Operation Hydra shakes up the standard formula of CS:GO.
War Games:
War Games satisfies the casual player with 6 fun and unique game modes. Engage in a survivor deathmatch with the Flying Scoutsman. With low gravity and high accuracy, combat is swift and challenging. For more challenge, there is Headshots Only, a deathmatch with only headshots doing damage. These two modes push experienced players in a more casual setting.
For those wanting to get up close and personal, Stab Stab Zap has players fighting with only a taser and a knife. While the games can be too long, it provides a different challenged seen in the other game modes. Instead of focusing on aim and micro movements, positioning and movement are king. Run and stab the opposition.
Continuing the up close and personal style, Hunters and Gatherers is a deathmatch relying on picking up dropped dog tags of fallen enemies. Players can no longer snipe from across the map and win the match. Now, they must go into the fray and create joyful chaos.
The last two modes are both twists on the Casual game mode. Trigger Discipline, my personal favorite, damages the player for every missed shot. It requires accuracy and patience, making it tense yet fun. It allows both the smart and the skilled to engage in intense combat. Heavy Assault Suit gives turns some players into heavily armored behemoths. Honestly, it’s unremarkable and does little change to the traditional engagements of CS:GO. Luckily the rest of the modes are fantastic and provide a new technique for CS:GO
Weapons Expert:
For the more competitive player, Weapons Expert creates hilarious and challenging battles by only allowing each weapon to be bought once. Players must prioritize their buys, creating a new strategic element in the traditional competitive mode. A new ranking system will be place exclusively for Weapons Expert, meaning players can have a blast without worrying about their normal rank.
Wingman:
The final game mode is Wingman, a 2v2 combat engagement taking place in single bombsite maps. Foregoing the more expansive maps of the other game modes, Wingman forces intense combat in bombsites. Again, Wingman contains a separate ranking system that allows players to fire away without affecting their main rank. Wingman provides intense combat for you and your buddy.
Maps:
Like all other CS:GO Operations, Operation Hydra has 7 maps for the traditional game modes. Returning to the map pool is Agency, a hostage map set in a rich office complex. For a more unique experience, Insertion has Counter Terrorists spawning in 4 possible locations to rescue a hostage. The terrorists must prepare for an attack at any angle and guard hostage at all costs.
The other 5 maps provide a more traditional bomb defusal experience. Austria takes the fight into a snowy village, with players running through a maze of apartments and houses. Lite has players engaging in an oil refinery and plays like a standard CS:GO map. Shipped switches things up with a focus on headshot angles and close quarters combat. Shipped requires an understanding of the map to survive. Thrill sends players into an amusement park, having them engage in cluttered bombsites to survive. Smokes are essential in sectioning of parts of the map in Thrill. Finally, there is Black Gold which sadly doesn’t hold up in comparison to the other maps. It is simply too open and allows players to snipe you from across the map. If you like AWP’s, you will like Black Gold.
Picture provided by Official CS:GO Website
Premium Content:
Now all of the content mentioned above is free for all players of CS:GO, but for $5.99 you get additional content. First, you get a cooperative campaign in which you engage in challenging missions, earning Guardian XP towards weapon drops. You also get a Hydra Coin and Journal, allowing you to show off your dedication to CS:GO. Additional weapons are available through XP earned in the Guardian Campaigns as well.
Operation Hydra is here for this summer and provides a plethora of new content. Both casual and competitive players can find something to enjoy in this new expansion. This only lasts for 18 weeks however, so enjoy it while you can.
