Counter-Strike 1.6 has been out for about a week now, and I've had the time to try it out somewhat extensively.
First and foremost, the new riot shields are a fucking joke. No question about it. They make you practically invincible (or completely invincible with a simple exploit), and there's no way someone can carry a full riot shield in one hand, and shoot a Desert Eagle with the other.
Many major servers have disabled the shields, so I'm assuming the team will realize what a horrible mistake they've made.
CS 1.6 also comes with it's own proprietary online gaming software: Steam. Personally, I had only a few problems installing after I downloaded the huge Counter-Strike specific file, but I've heard all kinds of horror stories about Steam, especially when using self-update. Steam seems to have incorporated the many features I wish were included in Half-Life's original multiplayer interface, such as a friends list. It also seems much, much less clunky. I like the interface and additions, but most people don't like the software itself.
1.6 also adds two new rifles, the FAMAS and the Gali. Both are cheap alternatives to the otherwise expensive rifles. Think of them as Ak/Colt-lite. I really like the Gali, but haven't used the FAMAS much.
Other additions include new maps (I think, although I haven't played any yet), updated maps (Aztec and Cobble, i think), and now the smoke grenade explodes into one giant clound.
Personally, I think 1.6 is a decent update. Steam may be lacking, but I'm hoping they flesh out the bugs, and remove the riot shield and forget it ever existed.
