'Counter-Strike' has a bunch of weird new game modes we're excited about

These game modes are insane.
 By 
Kellen Beck
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive released a new Operation event last night introducing a handful of new maps, gun skins, and ridiculous game modes available through September.

Operation Hydra takes CS:GO's classic first-person shooter gameplay and tweaks the rules for absurd new game modes (and the return of an old favorite). Anybody can try out the new multiplayer modes during Operation Hydra, although they'll be on a weekly rotation cycle so not all of them are available at the same time.

Kicking off Operation Hydra is War Games, and after one week either Wingman or Weapon Expert will take War Games' place.

War Games

War Games contains six different game modes. After a match is over, players can vote on which one they want to play next, similar to how map votes already work.

  • Heavy Assault Suit adds a new item to casual-style defuse matches on Dust 2: The heavy assault suit. It costs $6,000 to buy, makes you walk extra slow, and limits your weapon usage to pistols and submachine guns, but it does a great job of keeping you protected against enemy fire.

  • Headshots Only speaks for itself. It's a deathmatch mode on the map Arsenal and only headshots do damage.

  • Hunter-Gatherers is all about collecting dog tags. Players drop dog tags when they're killed and your goal is to collect as many as possible whether they're from your enemies or your teammates.

  • Stab Stab Zap is a violent take on duck duck goose. Armed with knives and close-range tasers (with a special 30-second recharge), players run around Safehouse trying to get up-close-and-personal kills. You can also buy grenades, making this mode even more insane.

  • The Flying Scoutsman is back and the gravity has been turned way down. With nothing but SSG08 sniper rifles, players float around the Shoots map in an aerial-heavy team deathmatch.

  • Trigger Discipline tests your aim in a very punishing way. In a team deathmatch game, the shots that you miss damage you until you only have one health point left. You'll have to make sure your sights are lined up perfectly, otherwise you'll be an easy target to take out.

Wingman

Wingman takes the casual defuse game mode and pares it down to an intense 2v2 showdown. If you die, you're done for the round, so it's extra important to be careful about sticking your neck around corners. There is only one bombsite in Wingman, too, so defense doesn't have to split up too much.

Weapons Expert

Weapons Expert tests your skills with different CS:GO weapons by only allowing you to buy weapons once. This mode is a 5v5, best-of-30 match that requires a deep knowledge of CS:GO weapons. If you buy a weapon and die with it, you can't get it back, so you and your team will want to be extra judicious about what you're willing to spend money on.

Along with thee modes, there are a handful of new and returning maps available throughout the Operation for casual and competitive play, as well as some new gun skins that you can check out on the Operation Hydra page.

All of this content is free, but if you shell out $6 for the Operation Hydra all access pass you get a cosmetic coin to put on your profile, a stats book, and a cooperative campaign.

Topics Esports Gaming

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Kellen Beck

Kellen is a science reporter at Mashable, covering space, environmentalism, sustainability, and future tech. Previously, Kellen has covered entertainment, gaming, esports, and consumer tech at Mashable. Follow him on Twitter @Kellenbeck

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