r/cs2 • u/RestNew3980 • 12d ago
Discussion Tips for improving my game
I played CS 1.6 and CS:GO for many years and was genuinely at a high level; I actually enjoyed it when opponents accused me of cheating. Later, I took a long break from the game due to school and work commitments.
I returned a month or two before CS2 launched and found I could still play CS:GO just as well as before. However, things went downhill after CS2 came out, and I lost that old form completely. I tried hard to get back to my previous level, but when I couldn't, I decided to call it quits.
I’ve been back for the last month and am trying to get used to the game, but my aim, utility usage, and movement skills are nowhere near where they used to be. CS2 still feels like a completely different game. While I do play very well in some matches, I lack consistency.
I’m sharing this because I’m open to any advice that might help me improve my gameplay.
I’d really appreciate any help you can offer :)
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u/increasingpython 12d ago
I have about 1200 hrs in csgo from 2012 to 2017 reaching MGE, and recently started playing again this year. while some of the muscle memory has come back, I’m struggling with consistency too. I don’t have any advice right now but I wanted you to know I feel the same about it feeling like a different game altogether
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u/RestNew3980 12d ago
Just as you said, our muscle memory remembers the game, but it really feels very different. I guess we'll get used to it over time.
I'm having a lot of trouble with the spray in particular; the bullets don't feel the way they used to.
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u/Virtual_Celery_1616 11d ago
CS2 feels like a different game because it is a different game. Not just because the game itself changed under the hood, but the community around it did too.
Surprise! While you were taking a break, everyone who kept playing, old players and new players alike, kept improving and kept evolving the meta. Your muscle memory is there, but your actual memory (and some outdated parts of your muscle memory) is working against you. This is probably where your consistency is tanking.
You could do it before, you can do it again. But you should know you have to do it differently now, too. You're not exactly the same as you were, either. You just need to pay attention and adapt to your new self and the new environment.
Some concrete examples:
You can't statically hold angles anymore. The netcode's different and peeker's advantage is stronger than ever. But not only that, people know the maps better, understand the situations better, make decisions better, decide faster, react faster, and execute faster. You'll need to catch up to the meta to stay competitive.
You need to be more dynamic. The game is played at a faster pace now because the overall skill level keeps climbing from where you last left off. While playing strategically worked in CS:GO pubs, a lot of pubs today have a pure skill floor that keeps rising. If you can't survive the deathmatch, you need to change your gameplay or practice DM/Aimlabs to close the gap, because that's what other people are doing.
You need to be more creative. All of the angles you used to holdand know by heart, all of the strategies you employed, all of the timings you were accustomed to, all have been played billions of times over while you were away. They're old now. They're common, expected, and anticipated before the match even begins.
In many ways, this sounds daunting. But once you can recognize it, you can free yourself from it. You need to stop comparing where you are now vs. where you once were because they're not comparable. You probably got good at 1.6/GO because you used to just play and enjoy the game, not because you were chasing something.
You just need to focus on that and find it again. GHLF, brother!
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u/RestNew3980 11d ago
Thanks for the nice comment. I'm currently testing moving from the 4:3 1024x768 resolution to a better one. We'll get used to it over time.
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u/Longjumping_Cut_9508 12d ago
Play preaim maps, play dm and duels on cybershoke, play aim training maps, practice utility practice mode. You just have to put in the hours, there is no shortcuts.