PCGame

Counter-Strike

Competitive tactical FPS where teamwork decides objective-based rounds

Valve · Released Nov 1, 2000

Action

Reviews
Overwhelmingly Positive
97% of 190K
Recent reviews
Overwhelmingly Positive
95% of 714 in 30 days
Players
6,851
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Playable
Last update on Steam
2 years ago
Dec 12, 2023
Minimum PC
–
not published

Metacritic: 88/100 (critic reviews)

What is Counter-Strike?

A team-based multiplayer first-person shooter built around tactical missions. Players fight through round-based matches, shooting opponents and coordinating with teammates to attack sites or rescue hostages.

For you if...

  • +you want competitive rounds where aim and teamwork matter
  • +you enjoy mastering movement, precise shooting, and map knowledge

Not for you if...

  • −you want modern visuals and current quality-of-life features
  • −you prefer forgiving gunplay with an easy learning curve
  • −you expect automated matchmaking instead of browsing servers

What players say

97% of 189,696 reviews are positive · 95% of 714 in the last 30 days

Players praise the movement, skill-based gunplay, teamwork, and importance of map knowledge. The most common complaints concern cheating and difficulty finding clean, unmodified servers.

Players over time

▼ -7% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 12,738 players on Sep 21, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 20266,851
Nov 6, 20265,896
Nov 5, 20266,083
Nov 4, 20264,977
Nov 3, 20266,225
Nov 2, 20266,220
Nov 1, 20266,857
Oct 31, 20266,259
Oct 30, 20265,065
Oct 29, 20265,486
Oct 28, 20265,579
Oct 27, 20264,492
Oct 27, 20265,328
Oct 26, 20265,434
Oct 25, 20266,602
Oct 24, 20266,320
Oct 23, 20266,061
Oct 22, 20266,213
Oct 21, 20265,880
Oct 20, 20266,467
Oct 19, 20266,318
Oct 18, 20267,050
Oct 17, 20265,385
Oct 16, 20266,226
Oct 15, 20265,605
Oct 14, 20264,796
Oct 13, 20266,708
Oct 12, 20266,831
Oct 11, 20266,976
Oct 10, 20267,068
Oct 9, 20266,723
Oct 8, 20266,655
Oct 7, 20265,995
Oct 6, 20266,457
Oct 5, 20266,631
Oct 4, 20266,803
Oct 3, 20266,842
Oct 2, 20266,387
Oct 1, 20266,229
Sep 30, 20264,878
Sep 29, 20266,297
Sep 28, 20265,527
Sep 27, 20265,759
Sep 26, 20265,692
Sep 25, 20265,178
Sep 24, 20265,940
Sep 23, 20266,228
Sep 23, 20264,962
Sep 22, 20266,497
Sep 21, 202612,738

Screenshots and trailer

Counter-Strike screenshot 1

Counter-Strike system requirements

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Counter-Strike?

The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

500 mhz processor, 96mb ram, 16mb video card, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection Recommended: 800 mhz processor, 128mb ram, 32mb+ video card, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

Does Counter-Strike have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: PvP online and split-screen. There is no single-player mode.

Does Counter-Strike run on Steam Deck?

Playable Playable: it runs on Steam Deck with some adjustments.

  • Default controller config not fully functional
  • Some text entry requires manually opening the on-screen keyboard
  • Native resolution not supported
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Steam features
Family Sharing
Languages
Full audio: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish - Spain, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean.

Does Counter-Strike use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

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