Counter-Strike::Basics 2.0

The world's most popular online PC game has finally come to Xbox. Featuring the same addictive gameplay as its PC counterpart, Counter-Strike looks to dominate all of your free time. Since you're going to be spending the better part of the next few years of your life playing C-S, you might as well hit the online arena fully prepped for battle. Inside you'll find:

* Basic Training: Everything you need to know before heading into the field of battle.
* Demolition: Tips and tricks for playing Demolition, whether you are a Terrorist or a Counter-Terrorist.
* Hostage Rescue: Want to ensure all hostages are rescued? We've got you covered. And hey, if you are playing a terrorist, we teach you how to keep those hostages under wraps.
* Map Tips: Useful help for each map, including camping spots and game strategies.
* Secrets: Cheats and tricks to help give you the edge over your opponent.



Counter-Strike pits two sides against one another -- Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. Unlike most FPS', which feature both campaign and multiplayer modes, Counter-Strike eschews the norm, providing no campaign. There is a single-player component, which lets you battle against bots by your lonesome, but it functions the same way as multiplayer. Therefore, you'll find no walkthrough in this guide, but instead all the tips you need to master the two modes of play whether you are a Terrorist or a Counter-terrorist.

There's a big difference between understanding and mastering the gameplay modes and maps of Counter-Strike, but before you can run (and kill, kill, kill) you must learn to walk. This section will teach you the baby steps on the road to online dominance.


Shopping Spree
One thing that sets Counter-Strike apart from other games is the ability to purchase ammo, weapons, armor, and other equipment at the start of each mission. Depending on the difficulty setting, each game has a limited "freeze" time, where no one can act. At this time you are free to spend your cash. Once the time is over, the battle begins, but you can continue to spend money. However, you are missing out on the action every second you are sitting around doing nothing.

Use the Left Thumbstick to highlight any section of the menu and then hit A to enter the weapons listing. Another radial menu appears. You can cycle through to see the stats on each gun, but reading these things takes time. Instead, study the weapons layout listed below and figure out which items you want before the game begins. Any item you can afford will be highlighted on the menu.

If, during the game, you need some more ammo, armor, or want a better weapon, you can return to your insertion point. A shopping icon appears on the left side of the screen, letting you know you're in the K-Mart zone. Click down on the Left Thumbstick to bring up the shopping menu.

It's important to equip yourself quickly. Hitting the Left and Right triggers purchase your Secondary and Primary Ammo respectively. The best way to purchase on the fly is knowing what you want and memorizing the location. There aren't too many items, so it shouldn't be too tough. Go into a single-player game and spend some time scoping out where your choice selections are located, so that when you are in the midst of a real game you can select them quickly.