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Image via Valve

How to Download Counter Strike 2

Here's how to download Counter Strike 2.

Counter Strike 2 just dropped out of nowhere. That’s not hyperbole, either. Nobody saw this coming as CS2 was only confirmed to be released in 2023, but with the wild lineup of games happening this year, nobody knew just when it would actually release. We have our answer. It’s out now, so here’s how to download Counter Strike 2.

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How to Download Counter Strike 2

Image via Valve

The best part of this release is the game is immediately available for free. If you were a Counter Strike: GO player, you can download Counter Strike 2 by following these steps:

  • Log on to Steam.
  • Check your game page.
  • You’ll see that you have an update.
  • Once it’s updated, the game itself will transform into Counter Strike 2.

If you have the game uninstalled currently, download Counter Strike 2 following these steps:

  • Go to the Steam Page.
  • Download Counter Strike 2 there.
  • If you’ve never played or downloaded CS:GO before, fret not. The revamped version is completely free, too.

Related: Is CS2 on Console? Answered

Counter Strike 2 will completely respect all your hard work in CS:GO, so don’t worry about losing cosmetics or any progress you’ve had throughout the game. The sequel is more of a super update than a true successor, polishing up everything, adding new gameplay mechanics, and, most importantly, overhauling the graphics in a big way. It may say it was released in 2012 on the Steam page still, but everything about this sequel feels modern.

Along with that update comes the need for a better PC. Sorry to the players squeaking by on older systems playing CS:GO, but you’ll need to upgrade a bit to play this one. It’s a bit of an odd choice to get rid of the game that’s had a concurrent player base for the record books for the past two decades, but that’s the case here.

And that’s how to download Counter Strike 2. A welcome surprise to finish out September. For more, check out our guides on the game.


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Author
Image of Adam Braunstein
Adam Braunstein
Adam Braunstein is a video game writer for Gameskinny a VR expert, actor, and all-around gaming enthusiast. His work has appeared on Attack of the Fanboy, Daily Gamer, VR Fitness Insider and The Nerd Stash. He loves games of all genres and exploring the amazing worlds that video games have to offer.