Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 33
  2. Negative: 2 out of 33
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  1. Half Life fans would love to know that there is also a Half Life 2 CD with exclusive footage. Let me say, *drool*.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Game Informer
    78
    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]
  6. 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.
  7. 75
    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.
  8. 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.
  9. PC Gamer
    72
    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]
  10. 70
    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.
  11. 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.
  12. games(TM)
    70
    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]
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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!
  17. A slight update to an already classic game that doesn’t make you forget about the original.
  18. 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.
  19. Simply put, the price tag is too high for what amounts to little more than a patch for a four-year-old game.
  20. Achingly average in all respects, save the addition of classic multiplayer Counter-Strike. [PC Gamer UK]
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 60
    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.
  24. 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.
  25. 60
    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]
  26. 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.
  27. 55
    If you play Counter-Strike, you'll find little more than a small assortment of some new laid atop a whole lot of old.
  28. Computer Games Magazine
    50
    The overall quality of the 'bots in the standard Counter-Strike matches keeps Condition Zero from being a disaster. [May 2004, p.57]
  29. It's funny, I had a feeling all that development time would've given us something more.
  30. 50
    While Counter-Strike is still a popular and recommendable online shooter, this retail package offers poor value and is a huge disappointment.
  31. GMR Magazine
    50
    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]
  32. 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.
  33. Predictably poor. Proof that every gaming franchise has its limits.
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1658 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Dec 14, 2012
    7
    Counter Strike: Condition Zero is a good version of Counter Strike. The graphics are essentially higher than Counter Strike, and and the 3-DCounter Strike: Condition Zero is a good version of Counter Strike. The graphics are essentially higher than Counter Strike, and and the 3-D models are changed. It would be good for FPS players but no for CS fans. Full Review »
  2. Oct 23, 2010
    4
    Not as good as the original and the story mode is very dull. A nice update for the hardcore fans but not much else here. I don't think anyoneNot as good as the original and the story mode is very dull. A nice update for the hardcore fans but not much else here. I don't think anyone but the hardcore really got into this one. Full Review »
  3. JonH
    Mar 5, 2010
    10
    I loved this game, but the story mode can be boring sometimes. I'm glad I got it.