Minh “Gooseman” Le, one of CS’s creators, was a fan of AQ2. Counter-Strike (first released in June 1999 as a Half-Life mod) built on AQ2’s ideas but refined them with better hitboxes, buy menus, maps, and more tactical pacing.
AQ2 is often described as “the bridge between Quake and Counter-Strike”.
TS was severely underrated. I think it was inspired by Action HL, which of course I can only imagine was inspired by Action Quake. There were so many good ones though, like Natural Selection, Sven Coop, Firearms. It was incredible the quality of mods that were available, all for free
Action Quake had quite different gameplay mechanics that made it difficult to get into.
The movements were very fast and similar to Quake.
Most of the weapons had very specific ranges (sniper rifles were useless at close range, shotguns were useless at long range).
Each shot could cause bleeding, which had to be stopped with a tourniquet. Bleeding reduced your health bar and left a trail of blood behind you.
Headshots weren't really emphasised.
So as a beginner, you'd arrive on the map, take one or two shots from long range, then bleed to death or get finished off with a shotgun within the first 15 seconds.
Counter Strike was much more accessible.
I loved aq2 so much, just an incredible mod with so many gaming moments seared in my memories.
Leaping off the cliff on "cliff" straight through the hatch in the cable car breaking my legs but right next to my opponent and blasting him with the double barrelled shotgun as they turned round. Classic .
Minh “Gooseman” Le, one of CS’s creators, was a fan of AQ2. Counter-Strike (first released in June 1999 as a Half-Life mod) built on AQ2’s ideas but refined them with better hitboxes, buy menus, maps, and more tactical pacing.
AQ2 is often described as “the bridge between Quake and Counter-Strike”.