Since the release ofCounter-Strike 2in September 2023, many fans have been hard at work on community-made maps for use on custom servers. These maps aren’t part of theCS2Active Duty map poolbut can offer a fun change of pace from the usual rotation.
Most of these maps are downloaded from the Steam Workshop. Afterward, you can play them with friends on private servers, choosing your favorites to hop into a game with.
Aim Japan Shogun Showdown
If you’re sick and tired ofCounter-Strike 2‘s usual aesthetic,Aim Japan Shogun Showdownwill feel like a breath of fresh air. This map is intended to be a 1v1 server set in a traditional Japanese village, making it great for fast-paced warmups alongside your duo before queuing for a match. It’s not all eye candy, though – Aim Japan Shogun Showdown has some interesting geography, which makes for some tactically intense 1v1 matches.
Akiba
Set in a Tokyo convention center,Akibafocuses on standard 5v5 bomb defusal gameplay. This map is a visual feast, focusing more on showing off what Source 2 is capable of than creating compelling matches. That said, it still makes for fun matches, whether you’re playing with friends or bots in offline games.
Biome
We’ll say it:Biomeis probably the bestCounter-Strike 2map not currently in the Active Duty rotation. It was made by jd40, the iconic map-maker behind Anubis, and Biome is his latest (and arguably greatest) work. Set inside a dome, Biome is intended for standard 5v5 defusal gameplay, and features all the nuances and tricks of a fully-fledgedCS2map. If you can get nine players together at the same time, we’d definitely recommend giving Biome a try. Considering jd40 has a great relationship with Valve after Anubis, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that this map makes it into the full game one day.
Brewery
You’ll earn no prizes for wondering whereBrewerytakes place. This map is a remake of aCounter-Strike: Global Offensiveclassic, giving it a fresh coat of paint to make it relevant in the new game engine. Brewery is primarily aCS2Wingman map, meaning it’s intended to only be played in 2v2 matches instead of the standard 5v5. There’s a reason it has remained popular across versions of the game – its simple design makes for some intense Wingman matches.
Foroglio
Forogliois set in a small Swiss village up high in the mountains, offering some remarkable vistas you won’t see anywhere else inCounter-Strike 2. Level designer Rikuda has done something really interesting with this 2v2 Wingman map. By setting it on a hill, Foroglio becomes defined by its verticality, a unique trait for aCSmap to have. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to get the jump on your enemies here, which means you’ll have to use all the tools at your disposal to win a Foroglio match.
Futsal
There’s more toFutsalthan meets the eye. ThisCounter-Strike 2Workshop map isn’t just a recreation of a futsal pitch. Nope – it actually works! You can shoot the scoreboard in Futsal to drop the ball, which you can either shoot or run into to push it around the field. The scoreboard will recognize when a goal is scored, and you can even use the in-game radio to blare some music while you play. It’s not theCS2gameplay you’re used to, but it’s an interesting concept in its own right.
Inferno Night
Inferno is one ofCounter-Strike‘s most iconic maps, having been a series staple as far back as1.6. New iterations of the map have kept it feeling fresh for over two decades, but there’s one approach Valve has never taken with Inferno – nighttime. Angel’sInferno Nightchanges this, turning the clock forward a few hours on aCSlegend. You’d be surprised how much it changes the map’s ambiance, with neon signs lit up, carefully placed street lights, and fireflies dancing in the night.
Lost Coast
Lost Coastis less of a functional map intended to be played and more of a Source 2 tech demo. It’s to be explored and marveled at, offering a glimpse of what maps onCounter-Strike 2‘s engine could look like in the future. If you’re someone who loves to take a lot of screenshots of yourCS2skins, too, then Lost Coast is the perfect backdrop for this.
Rainfall
Rainfallis anotherCS2Workshop gem from level designer Rikuda. This 2v2 Wingman map places you on a rainy day in the Faroe Islands, where you’ll disrupt the quaintness with some crazyCounter-Strikeaction. There’s a lot to appreciate about Rainfall, and it’s got a level of polish that could eventually see it make its way to the base game.
Vandal
Finishing off with another 2v2 Wingman offering,Vandalis the map that feels most in line withCounter-Strike 2‘s base aesthetic. In a way, it almost feels like an extension of Overpass, just smaller. Despite being made for smaller matches, Vandal features multiple routes into the map’s single bomb site, which have been carefully considered to ensure every 2v2 round plays out differently.
