CS2: Train remake is finally here

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As a long-time Counter-Strike enthusiast who’s witnessed countless hours spent strategizing and executing plans on the classic map, Train, I must admit my heart skipped a beat upon learning of its return! The nostalgia is palpable, and the visual updates only serve to enhance the gameplay experience.

The much-anticipated redesign of the classic series, Train, surpassed our expectations by offering a dramatic visual transformation that was more comprehensive than previously assumed.

Train finally arrives in CS2!

Initially when CS2 was unveiled in March 2023, the map “Train” was cited as a reference point, implying that it would be transferred from CS:GO alongside maps such as “Mirage” and “Dust 2”.

With each passing day, the whispers about the upcoming revival of the original map grew louder, shedding increasingly more light on the subject. In truth, it appears they were preparing for a complete makeover all along.

From a gameplay perspective, you’ll notice that the changes are quite substantial. Historically, the map has been favored by the Counter-Terrorist team, often witnessing incredible turnarounds during professional matches.

The current meta in CS2 is rather T-heavy, and so are some of the changes made around the map.

In the case of Popdog, you’ll find no ladder there anymore. This means that any team trying to outmaneuver from the upper B position by using that specific location will now have to take a significantly longer route to achieve it.

Speaking as a fan, I must say that the layout of both bomb sites, particularly A-site, has undergone quite a significant transformation in the Train map. It now seems more spacious, almost like it shrank a bit, and one of the main entrances for CTs is blocked off, making strategies there even more intriguing.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve had the opportunity to compare the final CS:GO version of Train with its early CS2 iteration, and let me tell you, it’s quite striking!

CS2 vs CSGO Train

— Tradeit (@tradeit_gg) November 14, 2024

Regarding the future maps within the active-duty map rotation, we’ll probably need to observe and anticipate Valve’s decision following the Shanghai Major. Any potential changes to the current 7 map pool are expected to occur at that time.

The bottom-up reboot of Train implies that we might witness its comeback to competitive play much sooner than later, after an absence of over three years.

Overpass changes, new community maps

An alternate map that was previously redesigned for CS2 is Overpass. Approximately 7 months following its removal from regular play rotation, replacing Dust 2, Valve has implemented substantial alterations to the map once more.

You can see some of the changes below:

The Major Overpass Modification Occurs Post the Recent Update

Most of the Water has been Eliminated, Changes in the A-site and the Creation of an Open Pathway to Heaven.

— Ozzny (@Ozzny_CS2) November 13, 2024

Regarding maps, Valve replaced the community-created maps for competitive and wingman modes. Specifically, Thera, Mills, Assembly, and Memento have been removed.

Basalt and Edin have been added to competitive, with Palais and Whistle being added to wingman.

In the previous operation of CS:GO (around 2021), basalt was introduced as a popular community-made map. Now, it has returned in CS2.

Regarding Edin’s map, which is fresh and premiering in CS2 from Scotland, we’ll observe how it performs against the established and well-known maps within the game.

As a devoted gamer, I’m thrilled about the latest update from Valve! They’ve introduced a new “damage prediction” setting designed to enhance the shooting experience by making it feel more immediate and responsive. This could be a game-changer for players who’ve been dealing with delayed feedback when firing. With this setting activated, both audio and visual responses will be instantaneous, eliminating the need to wait for server confirmation. However, it’s worth noting that there might be instances of false positive feedback as well.

Complete patch notes

This update represents the most significant alteration in map layouts during CS2’s brief timeline so far. You can find the complete list of changes detailed in the patch notes provided below.

[DAMAGE PREDICTION]

  • Added damage prediction settings. Damage prediction allows clients to immediately play the audio/visual effects of inflicting damage without waiting for confirmation from the server. Damage prediction can make shooting feel significantly more responsive, but comes with the risk of occasionally being wrong (e.g. due to aim punch, tagging, or a death that your client isn’t yet aware of).
  • Predicted body shot effects (disabled by default), headshot effects (disabled by default), and kill rag dolls (enabled by default) can each be toggled separately.
  • Damage prediction is not active when you have high ping.

[ANIMATION]

  • Fixed a case where legs weren’t animating correctly while taking damage.

[GRAPHICS]

  • Added ambient occlusion for first person legs to better ground them in the environment.
  • Performance optimizations for molotov and incendiary effects.

[GRENADES]

  • Added axis labels to the grenade line-up reticle tick marks.
  • The grenade preview camera now shows the result of a jump throw while the jump button is held.

[MAP GUIDES]

  • Added a map guide for Train, which demonstrates four simple Terrorist grenade line-ups. To load a map guide, go to Play→Practice and toggle “Load Map Guides” on.
  • Added concommands annotation_* which enable the creation, saving, and loading of map guide nodes and files, which are stored in /annotations/.

[MISC]

  • New game settings for radar map blending and background opacity.
  • Fixed a case where progress from a previously completed Armory Pass would show during activation of a new pass.
  • Fixed a regression with Chinese input via the Microsoft Input Methods.
  • CSTV now allows setting tv_delay and tv_delay1 to a value smaller than 6 seconds.
  • Charm Template number is now available in Charm descriptions.

[MAPS]

Train

  • Added Train to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch modes.

Community Maps

  • Added Basalt and Edin to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch modes.
  • Added Palais and Whistle to Wingman mode.
  • Removed Thera, Mills, Assembly, and Memento from all game modes.

Ancient

  • Fixed some lighting errors.
  • Fixed some collision gaps.
  • Fixed some bad wall bang spots.
  • Fixed a stuck spot.

Italy

  • Fixed some bad boost spots.

Mirage

  • Fixed a pixel peek.

Overpass

  • Visual updates to canals area and B-site.
  • Rework of heaven drop down mechanics.
  • Performance improvements, particularly in canals area and B-site.
  • Added a sign that blocks a bad line of sight from long boost to CT spawn.
  • Removed small fence at the edge of party/picnic that interfered with visibility to train station.
  • Removed some geometry under wrecked truck that looked like player legs.
  • Replaced some windows with opaque surfaces in train station to remove bad lines of sight.
  • Deleted a tree that interfered with a line of sight.
  • Moved one of the crate lids on A-site to block a bad line of sight.
  • Removed some lamps that could look like player heads at A-site.
  • Removed some trees and objects around park and train station that prevented players from backing into certain useful spaces.
  • Removed a chain link fence in alley that made players hard to see.
  • Adjustments to fog and decreased the distance at which character models get an increased visibility effect.
  • Made shelf in heaven look less like a player.
  • Adjusted props and lights in heaven to reduce noise and make players brighter.
  • Removed handcart behind barrels at B-site, so players can back into the corner.
  • Adjusted collision around barrels for better player movement.
  • Added light behind barrels for better player visibility.
  • Fixed weird collision on barrel that made for inconsistent wall bangs.
  • Fixed bad graffiti rendering at B-site.
  • Removed concrete block behind the cement bags at B-site for less awkward player movement.
  • Set many smaller props to exclude player movement and grenade bounces.
  • Fixed some pixel peeks.
  • Small visual updates throughout the map.

Shoots

  • Performance improvements in some areas.

With this latest update, we’re bringing back a classic map that has been a cornerstone in CS gaming lore. Are you thrilled about it? Does the revamped Train map catch your eye?

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2024-11-14 13:39