De_dust2 is a map that has remained within the playable map pool of counter strike for 15 years and for 15 years has remained the dominant and most played map globally, undergoing graphical change from Counter Strike 1.1 all the way up to Counter Strike Global Offensive.
There are many reasons that this map has stayed as the biggest played map in counter strike history and still to this day –
Balance – The most important aspect of any multiplayer level. Although the map might be asymmetrical there is still no definitive advantage to either team, which means teams will arrive almost the same time as each other to the choke points within the map.
Flow – Dave did very well how he constructed this map I am not sure if it was intentional or not but the way the map is built has a distinct flow control to it when it comes to playing, before the players hit the choke points the movement is fast and controlled but once they are approaching a choke point the game slows down dramatically, down to the close quarter combat they are feeling and hearing each other out and the pace control is masterful as every player seems to play the exact same.
Layout – The layout is cut into segments and it’s separated very well but all of the map connects to one another in a very easy but masterful way which allows to play to move to and from A – Middle and B very easy, it also allows a novice to learn the map very easily as Dust2 is very good and navigating the player with the way the textures compliment the layout.