Pros:
- The game is highly balanced, making it a top choice for competitive play;
- Teamwork is essential, making it one of the best games for strategic coordination;
- There are operations and hundreds of community servers featuring innovative game modes, adding to its longevity;
- Trading adds an extra layer of engagement — if you invest time into it, you can even make money by selling cases and skins;
- It's one of the best e-sports titles to watch, with intense matches and high-level play;
- Casual matches are enjoyable, providing a fun experience even outside the competitive scene.

Cons:
- The time between operations is quite long — a shorter interval would keep the content fresher;
- The game has a steep learning curve, so it might take time to fully appreciate and enjoy it;
- The community can be toxic at times, but finding a good group to play with makes a huge difference;
- Weapon skins can be tempting, and you might find yourself spending more money than expected.

NOTE:
Many players wrongly claim that the game is overrun with cheaters, when in reality, it's often just frustration speaking. Some players struggle with opponents landing headshots consistently and assume hacking is involved — when in truth, mastering recoil control, strafing, and overall mechanics is key to improving. Others, unable to keep up, resort to cheat software but eventually face VAC bans.

Additionally, some players simply dislike Counter-Strike and exaggerate the cheating problem, spamming complaints instead of improving their own skills. So instead of complaining, focus on getting better — learn recoil patterns, practice movement, and explore maps beyond just Dust 2 and Mirage.

With all that said, Counter-Strike remains the greatest FPS franchise since 1999 — and it will continue to be. No further discussion needed.