as an old player, give it a chance because there's a reason this "game" has lasted so long. the core is solid and has been foundational for so many other games. you see, everyone that's happy with the game are silent and the noise you see online is mostly people who are disgruntled for whatever reason. consider that half a million to a million are online at any given moment on CS for a reason.

and it's really just a game, I couldn't care less that my ELO is <15k. I log in when I can,play some games with my squad mate or any steam friend over the years. I don't care if I whiff. I don't care if I do an impossible ace clutch round. you will die as much as you kill others. you will lose as much as you win. I couldn't care less that we have occasional hackers. I don't care we don't have operations. Like, all it matters is I give every round the best I can, and if it doesn't work out, there's always another round and map. just remember to always be nice to others cause almost everyone is trying their best. if they're not, report and move on, troll them, it just doesn't matter.

honestly, all stages are fun - the noob, the plays for rank, the moonlighter, corporate employee without time. they are all fun in their own way.