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Counter-Strike: Condition Zero pc Game Reviews
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
Critic Score
Metascore: 65 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.9 out of 10
based on 33 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 1159 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (CS:CZ), a tactical action game, challenges you to compete with and against cunning AI opponents in mission-based campaigns spread across the globe. As squad leader of an elite counter-terrorist operative, use specialized maneuvers and weapon skills to complete over 20 new missions, each containing numerous objectives. Drop into challenging scenarios -- from harsh jungle environments to severe arctic terrains, from unforgiving deserts to dangerous international city streets. Rescue hostages. Escort VIPs to safety. Locate and defuse bombs. This collection of entirely new episodes challenges your ability to think quickly and strategically! CS:CZ advances the award-winning Counter-Strike series by introducing single-player action and special enhancements for online play. Powered by an enriched Half-Life engine, CS:CZ introduces new game technologies including highly-detailed models, atmospheric enhancements such as snow and rain, and many more dynamic special effects. [Sierra]

PUBLISHER: Vivendi Universal / Sierra
DEVELOPER: Ritual Entertainment
GENRE(S): First-Person Shooter, Action
PLAYERS: 32
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2004

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

95
Next Level Gaming
Half Life fans would love to know that there is also a Half Life 2 CD with exclusive footage. Let me say, *drool*.
Read Full Review
83
Computer and Video Games
The game we were expecting eight months ago, with bots so intelligent they make your average online player look like a baboon who's been dropped at birth. It's like playing CS in the good old days.
Read Full Review
80
Game Chronicles
If you’re not a hard-core Counter-Strike player, Condition Zero is definitely worth a look. Veterans will probably want to stick with what they've already got.
Read Full Review
80
Times Online
Once you swap AI team-mates (and enemies) for the real thing, there is no turning back, as you find yourself diligently looking out for your team-mates, with whom you will need to co-operate to sweep scenes clean of troublemakers.
Read Full Review
78
Game Informer
The problem is that neither the physics nor the graphics have aged particularly well; if you're looking for a next-gen FPS, this is not it. It is, however, a decent update to one of the best titles of yesterday. [Apr 2004, p.108]
78
Da Gameboyz
An essential purchase for the new Counter Strike player who wants to get a spring into the action, rather than the veteran Counter Strike player looking forward to the future of the Counter Strike family.
Read Full Review
75
GameSpy
The real crux of Condition Zero is simply that it provides a great way to enjoy Counter-Strike offline, old graphics or not. If you're perfectly happy playing the free Counter-Strike mod online, don't bother with Condition Zero.
Read Full Review
72
VideoGamesLife
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero only gets its score because of the multiplayer, and if you’re after this for anything other than a visual tweak and a disc filled with Half-Life 2 videos, you’d be best off not bothering at all.
Read Full Review
72
PC Gamer
Underlying all the advances made in bot technology and the updated maps, Condition Zero is still fundamentally a five-year-old game...but this standalone package should satisfy both the Counter-Strike-curious and the broadband impaired. [Jan 2004, p.90]
70
games(TM)
For what it is and on its own merits, it's the ultimate version of the world's best online game, period. However, we can't escape the fact that this is little more than Counter-Strike 1.6 with decent bots - a game we've been playing for years and for free. [May 2004, p.118]
Read Full Review
70
Computer Gaming World
The A.I. on both sides of the conflict is awesome; as the leader of the counter-terrorists, your A.I. pals will follow you and, in some cases, "take the point:" You can give them orders via the chat feature and they'll do things like camp on a bomb site or guard the bomb.
Read Full Review
70
IGN
It certainly doesn't do enough to compete with today's shooters and the fact that much of the game is already available in another format makes this version seem a bit redundant.
Read Full Review
70
Armchair Empire
Condition Zero still carries the Counter Strike magic. However, given its age, how much it costs and the quality of the current competition, CZ cannot honestly and should not be at the top of any FPS gamer’s list.
Read Full Review
69
ActionTrip
The game retails for $40, for what is essentially a rehash of the most popular maps, coupled with a few new arenas, with bots capable of making the game fun for lone wolves and LAN parties.
Read Full Review
69
Worth Playing
It’s fun, but it’s basically the same game from five or so years ago which was basically free with Half-Life – that is to say, innovation isn’t exactly seeping out of the sides of this game.
Read Full Review
69
GameZone
Still very solid, but there is nothing new to add to your gameplay. The bots are simply players that don't really exist, but boy are they skilled!
Read Full Review
68
GameSpot
Condition Zero is a product that will appeal most to those players who haven't tried CS yet (and how many of them are there?), those who don't want to deal with the hassles of playing the game online, and those who just want to have some offline practice.
Read Full Review
68
Gaming Illustrated
A slight update to an already classic game that doesn’t make you forget about the original.
Read Full Review
67
AtomicGamer
Simply put, the price tag is too high for what amounts to little more than a patch for a four-year-old game.
Read Full Review
65
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
Achingly average in all respects, save the addition of classic multiplayer Counter-Strike. [PC Gamer UK]
Read Full Review
60
G4 TV
The updated graphics and sound effects are an improvement, but the game is still inferior to modern PC games in this regard. Not to mention, there's something to be said for the massive community that may remain loyal to the original.
Read Full Review
60
Gamer's Pulse
Brings nothing new to the table. The Deleted Scenes are a nice bonus, but the meat of the game consists of bot matches with some objectives to complete. The game as a whole appears to be rushed, as if they just wanted the ordeal to be over.
Read Full Review
60
EuroGamer
It's a strong package that suffers partly because we were promised so much in the first place, partly because so much of it is available online for free, and partly because the new stuff is exactly the sort of thing Valve would have released for free in times gone past.
Read Full Review
60
GamePro
What was supposed to be a revelation, a next generation of sorts, has become instead a disappointing follow-up to a beloved game. [Mar 2004, p.68]
Read Full Review
60
DailyGame
The dated graphics, simplistic level design and basic gameplay probably won't justify the price tag. It's most likely worth a purchase only if found in your local bargain bin.
Read Full Review
60
Adrenaline Vault
Diehards won’t find enough here to make it worth the overzealous retail price point because, while the single-player mode and the deleted scenes are a fun diversion, they’re not enough to warrant the investment listed on the price tag.
Read Full Review
55
1UP
If you play Counter-Strike, you'll find little more than a small assortment of some new laid atop a whole lot of old.
Read Full Review
50
Boomtown
It's funny, I had a feeling all that development time would've given us something more.
Read Full Review
50
Yahoo! Games
While Counter-Strike is still a popular and recommendable online shooter, this retail package offers poor value and is a huge disappointment.
Read Full Review
50
GMR Magazine
At times it's great, at other times, it's buggy and unfinished. What a waste. Condition Zero does not do the Counter-Strike name proud. [Mar 2004, p.90]
50
Computer Games Magazine
The overall quality of the 'bots in the standard Counter-Strike matches keeps Condition Zero from being a disaster. [May 2004, p.57]
42
Game Revolution
For anyone who has already played CS, it’s quite annoying having to suddenly unlock maps, especially since every one included here has been playable in CS forever. Additionally, many of the level requirements are counter-intuitive.
Read Full Review
40
PC Format
Predictably poor. Proof that every gaming franchise has its limits.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 1159 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[Anonymous] gave it a0:
This game is super buggy. I bought it for an older 1.6ghz dell. No problems with any games until I got this. I was one fo the people with the famous mouse won't work right and is erratic problems. Something they still havn't fixed. I can play this on my newer comp but still the older one same problems and none with any other game. Reformatted just no go. 1.6 works fine though.... Anyway I'm pretty dissapointed in valvles idea of gaming. Seems more like a money venture to rip us off from our trust b4 steam bought out CS.

Nikhil M. gave it an8:
I guess its awesome experience for me since I'm new to the fray,but still it lacks certain motives the other games have which is mainly the accessibility of online play!i mean I'm still configuring how to do it!someone pls help me out?

Matt T gave it a5:
Not the best, maybe for slower/older computers, Source is slightly better. 1.6 is more advisable.

Ssgt. B. gave it a9:
I give it a 9. I was about to give it an '8' because of the A.I., but then I thought, "wait, it is a funny thing to make fun of." Especially when you are half-way across the map, have no defuse kit, and are hiding behind a box cause you only have 5 health. Then, your A.I. teammate, who is right on top of the bomb, AND has a defuse kit, will say: "Defuse the Bomb sir! Defuse the bomb sir! defuse the bomb sir!"

Colby C. gave it a10:
This was the best before source and is, in my opinion, still the best. The updated skins and map defaults-nades through walls-have been fixed and made it a better strategic experience than 1.6 ever was. Adding bots or a side fps is ok, but nothing to judge the game on. This game should receive a 10 and be on everyone's steam account.

Matthew M. gave it a9:
Excellent first person shooter.

Blaske A. gave it a10:
The best CS 1.6 Mod ever. This game is perfect... the Mission mod (deleted Scenes) Rlz, Souce sucks near CZ.

Read more user comments...

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