Here's a (very) quick look at Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies
Open beta launches today.
Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies, the curious free-to-download spin-off from Valve's phenomenally successful first-person shooter franchise, goes into open beta later today on Steam, and so we get our first look at the visuals in the video, below.
It reminds me of Counter-Strike Online 2, the Korean shooter also made by Nexon, but earlier this month the company distanced the two products.
"Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies is not a direct westernized version of Counter-Strike Online 2," Nexon told Eurogamer.
"It is in fact a standalone title built separately and featuring a different variety of all-new modes, weapons and character customisation options including zombie features. There are also brand new systems in place to reward teamwork and cooperation that will offer a diverse Counter-Strike experience.
"In short, this is a whole different Counter-Strike experience."
There has been some concern from the community about the free-to-download nature of the game, and whether it might turn out to be more pay to win than play to win.
That concern prompted a post by Nexon on the game's Steam forum that moved to answer questions on how the game works.
"Is there a Cash Shop in CSN:Z? Yes. Do you buy guns there? No," reads the post.
"Guns are obtained via the Crafting system in CSN:Z, by combining 'Blueprints' (what weapons are possible), 'Durables' (range of duration), and game points to initiate the process.
"All of these components can be obtained for free just by playing the game. But, as one could guess, also obtainable from the Cash shop directly."
There's more: from the start you have every weapon from the original Counter-Strike in your inventory, permanently. These weapons are considered default.
And here's a note on durables: "What Durables component you use in Crafting a gun will determine its duration," Nexon said, "and Permanent is possible from the right Durables. Players are not required to make a purchase in the Cash shop to get new, permanent weapons in CSN:Z."
Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies launches proper in early October.
