Starting this article, I’d like to note that CS2 and Valorant are interesting and captivating in their own ways. In this article, I will not advocate for CS players to switch to Valorant or vice versa. I simply want to share my impressions of the game, accumulated after many hours spent in CS:GO and then in CS2.
During the rather long absence of large content updates in CS, I found myself playing what was once my favorite game less and less. It’s not about switching to a new engine or the large number of cheaters in ranks above average. Sometimes a game stops bringing new sensations, and playing more than one game becomes boring, more like a routine job for getting drops (though if you think about it, why do I need that case for a dollar).
Here I had a rather strange idea, as a CS player – to try another popular competitive shooter – Valorant. I won’t lie, I played it at release, and I even liked it, but that feeling didn’t last long. I returned to daily games on Faceit in CS:GO, and I no longer had the desire for the new game. Now, when the situation has changed dramatically, it’s a new opportunity to look at the game anew.
Downloading the launcher and starting the game, I began to set it up according to my preferences. I advise you to do the same to avoid the strange feeling when you don’t feel at home. The video settings are quite simple, as are the crosshair settings, although at first glance such a number of settings may seem excessive. The most important thing you need to know is the sensitivity, which has completely different values. For your convenience, I created a simple and understandable sensitivity calculator from CS2 to Valorant:
Valorant Sensitivity:
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Just like the first time a few years ago, I chose Jett because she has straightforward skills and fits my playstyle.
By straightforward abilities, I mean quick movements in all directions – right, left, up, and down. Additionally, she also has a ball-shaped smoke, which, although not large in area, can block exits in narrow spaces. To make it clearer for you, here’s a small gameplay clip featuring her:
Everything said below is based on my personal feelings in comparison with CS2, so you may or may not agree.
Game Speed:
The overall action on the map can feel quite impulsive, similar to CS2, but there are differences, especially when it comes to preparing for an entry. In my observation, there is much less variability here. If in CS on some maps you usually prepare to enter a site, in Valorant, you just slowly move to a position because many character abilities won’t let you do it quickly. This spoils the overall impression and concentration of the player, which is very annoying because there are few counteractions to it. You can’t throw a grenade into the smoke or a smoke into a molotov and push. The round dynamics are lost, and by that time, the defense has already managed to rotate. In this aspect, CS2 is much better.
Weapons:
There’s not much to say here since most rifles are identical, although there are unique ones.
Shooting:
I personally like the shooting in Valorant, but I don’t like the amount of damage you can deal to the body. If you’re used to spraying more, you will die more often than kill, so aiming plays a very significant role in this shooter.
Movement:
Yes, there are many abilities and other features, but nonetheless, the primary task of the player is to kill with weapons, and in this aspect, there are many nuances. Maybe it’s a matter of habit, but I just don’t feel the weight of the weapon; it feels very flat. Most likely, this is due to the lack of character speed buildup like in CS2.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed playing Valorant, but it didn’t captivate me like CS did in its time. I can’t get the same dose of adrenaline in shootouts because everything feels somewhat unnatural, and it’s hard to explain. It’s a good game to diversify your leisure, but not to replace CS2.