Counter-Strike: Condition Zero has gone through a long and troubled development process, it seemed to change developer every month back when this was one of my most anticipated titles. I thought it would never surface. And now it finally gets released but has it been worth the long wait?

   

If you don't know what Counter-Strike is (where have you been?) let me enlighten you. CS was/is the number one online FPS game where you play as a member of either a terrorist or counter terrorist team with other people from around the globe. CS:CZ takes the much loved formula and chucks it into the single player world

There are 2 modes of play for single players. The first is called Condition Zero; this mode has you choosing a map from the available list. Then you have the chance to choose your team. The team members have stats and you need points to acquire their skills - these points are earned by completing the objectives for the maps. The objectives will typically have you going up against a team of bots where you'll complete 'challenges' such as kill a certain amount of enemies, kill enemies with a certain weapon and so on. The other single player mode is called Deleted Scenes and this is the mission-based part of the game. This will take you on missions around the world, playing the part of various Special Forces teams. You get a nice intro to each level with your commanding officer giving you details of the mission and setting the mood.

   

A few new weapons have been introduced for the mission mode such as LAW rocket launchers and an M60 machine gun. You'll also get items like blowtorches, fibre optic cameras and a radio to call in your buddies. The missions are rather linear (but action packed), and the opposition AI in missions is pretty dumb. The same can't be said about the AI whilst playing the Condition Zero mode or a normal match against bots, because this AI feels almost human; hiding in dark places, using tactics that humans do online, using grenades and weapons correctly etc. Crank the AI to the hardest setting and even CS veterans will have a serious challenge. Online play stays the same but you get to take the visually improved maps for a spin.

   

The graphics are what lets the game down. It uses the original Half-Life engine but with higher poly weapon and player models. All the levels have taken a vast visual improvement since CS and look nice and solid enough, but if it had been released 3 years ago (when it was originally planned) no one would have noticed - now, despite some improved textures, the game looks rather basic. The obvious bonus here is that CS:CZ is really smooth on an up-to-date rig and older hardware should be able to run it a treat. The game features some really good sound, the weapon FX are brilliant - loud and proud. The voice work is also pretty good and so are the atmospheric ambient effects.

   

Overall I'd say this game is good: if you're new to Counter-Strike and want to know what all the hubbub is about, the bot mode is a lot better way to learn how to play the game than getting repeatedly slaughtered online. And for CS veterans the new player & weapon models, maps and missions add enough to your favourite game to justify the purchase. Condition Zero is only let down by the outdated graphics engine.