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Counter-Strike 2has finally been released for all to enjoy, and with it comes some brilliant map upgrades.

TheCounter-Strike 2release for PCintroduces some overhauls to legacy maps, but some have received more love than others.

A map in Counter-Strike 2

Finally, there are the touchstone maps.

These have hardly been touched at all except for minor lighting and character-read changes.

These maps will be the best for players to evaluate in-game changes in the sequel.

Ruined city

They’ll either fall into hostage or bomb defusal types.

Bomb defusal with most maps falling under this punch in.

This aim in bomb defusal is pretty self-explanatory.

buildings in a rainforest

You’ll also find most maps divided into either active duty or reserve categories.

Active duty maps are those which are currently playable in professionalCStournaments.

The kind of maps in the active pool are directly determined by Valve.

Egyptian ruins

On the other hand, reserve maps are the leftover ones that aren’t currently in competition pools.

Ancient was first released as part of Operation Broken Fang in a 2020 update.

This popularity may be one of the reasons that it is remaining as a touchstone map.

sandstone city

This means that Dust II has received no further adjustments except for some lighting upgrades.

However, the small European town is getting a serious facelift this time.

Classified as an overhaul map by Valve, this means that Inferno will be getting some significant changes.

underneath a bridge

There are also potential structural changes and alternations to in-game dynamics now.

Mirage

AnotherCounter-Strikefavorite, Mirage, was initially made by the Cyberathlete Professional League duringCS1.6 in 2013.

This classic map is themed like a Middle Eastern town with stunning Moroccan-styled architecture.

an avenue in a city in Italy

Everything else should simply stay the same.

Here, players navigate a warehouse that contains dangerous nuclear materials or a nuclear power plant somewhere in Germany.

There will also be improved lighting and textures.

building with tarpaulin on top

This hostage map takes place in and around an office building.

Overpass

This bomb defusal map is set in a canal overpass somewhere in Berlin, Germany.

Here, players will either protect a stalled military shipment or attack it by destroying the pillar below.

nuclear site

Overpass is one of the few maps getting a complete overhaul comeCS2.

This means Valve has wholly transformed this map and built it again in its Source 2 engine.

Vertigo

Vertigo will be available to play inCS2after appearing in the limited test beta.

office building

a tunnel with graffiti

a building site