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As a loyal Steam customer and long-time Counter-Strike player, it brings me no joy to write this review. I have levelled my account to level 80, spent considerable money on the platform and in-game purchases and consistently engaged in good faith with both CSGO and now CS2. Unfortunately, I cannot in good conscience recommend CS2 to any new or existing player in its current state.

Despite promises of technological advancements, anti-cheat improvements and “Prime Status” protections, CS2 continues to suffer from a systemic and alarming infestation of cheaters, hackers and multi-account exploiters.

These issues are not rare occurrences—they are rampant, persistent and worsening.

Based on firsthand experience across thousands of matches, including Prime-rated matchmaking, deathmatches, and special mission events, I have routinely encountered players using a wide variety of cheats and hacks, including but not limited to:
• Aimbots – instant headshots, perfect accuracy, and unnatural flicks
• Trigger bots – automated fire upon target entry to crosshair
• Wallhacks (ESP/GlowESP) – seeing enemy positions through walls
• Aimlock – tracking and locking onto enemies through obstacles
• Radar hacks – constant awareness of enemy positions regardless of vision
• No flash/smoke hacks – complete immunity to in-game tactical grenades
• Spinbots – blatant, automated spinning to avoid hits and abuse mechanics
• Silent aim – where bullets register without visible aiming
• Bunny hop scripts – infinite, flawless jumping with movement exploits
• Backtrack hacks – manipulating hitboxes from previous ticks
• Fake ducking – exploiting crouch animations to become harder to hit
• Anti-aim exploits – rendering a player’s model unpredictable or bugged
• Auto-strafe and movement assist – unfair mechanical enhancement
• Packet manipulation/net exploits – inducing fake lag, desyncs, or hitbox abuse

These hacks are frequently used by multi-account players (a clear breach of Steam’s Subscriber Agreement) who cycle through accounts to avoid bans, boost other accounts, or abuse match ratings and XP rewards. Many of them return even after being flagged or previously banned - often within the same week.

“Prime” status was once meant to separate legitimate players from bad actors. It no longer serves its purpose. Players using cheats are common even in Prime matchmaking. Valve’s Overwatch system, which relies on player-submitted case reviews, is so saturated and toothless that even clear violations are rarely punished in any meaningful timeframe.

In particular, cheat usage spikes during weekends, XP boost events and weekly drop missions, where hackers seek to maximise skins, rank, and rewards.

Let me be blunt: CS2, in its current form, is not a fair, secure nor trustworthy environment for paying users. Players like myself, who have spent real money on this product, deserve a minimum level of protection and response- neither of which are being provided.

Valve’s lack of visible enforcement, transparency, or active communication on this matter shows a disturbing level of indifference toward consumer trust. The in-game reporting system feels performative and community moderators are virtually powerless to keep the environment clean.

CS 2 has the foundation of a brilliant game, but right now, it is deeply compromised by cheaters and a failure of enforcement. It has become an exhausting experience filled with scripted, robotic and dishonest gameplay.

Until there is a visible, committed and technologically robust crackdown on this epidemic - VAC enhancements, AI-supported behavioural detection, real-time bans and transparency on investigations - I strongly urge others not to spend money on this title.

Valve must prioritise its loyal player base and deliver on its promise to protect the integrity of competitive gaming. Until then, Counter-Strike 2 is, unfortunately, not worth your investment - time, money nor trust.