With the move to the Source 2 engine, CS2 overhauled all of its graphics, and old CS:GO skins now look different: new lighting and materials give them more shine, color depth and contrast. The change is most visible on skins that used to look dull, such as the Desert Eagle | Bronze Deco, AWP | Sun in Leo, AK-47 | Legion of Anubis and Glock-18 | Twilight Galaxy. Below is what changed for each of them and what they cost on LIS-SKINS today.
What Happened to the Old Skins
Old skins did not go anywhere: CS:GO inventories carried over to CS2 in full, and the finishes are now rendered by the new engine with better lighting. Some weapons also received updated models with small decorative details. For what players expected from the engine change before release, see what to expect from the transition to Source 2.
Below are the skins that look noticeably better in CS2 than they did in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
List of Some Updated Skins
Desert Eagle | Bronze Deco
Among Deagle skins, this is one of the most visible upgrades. In CS:GO the Desert Eagle | Bronze Deco did not really live up to its name: a plain skin in dark tones. In CS2 it finally shines like bronze, as it was meant to. It is a Mil-Spec skin from the Chroma 2 Case and costs under a dollar in any wear.
AWP | Sun in Leo
In CS:GO this AWP skin from the Gods and Monsters Collection was valued for the rarity of its collection, but its look did not match: dark tones and blurry patterns. In CS2 the AWP | Sun in Leo picked up a pleasant glow and sharper contrast that is still easy on the eyes. Prices start at around $15 for Field-Tested, while Factory New costs about $65. For more affordable sniper options, see our list of budget sniper rifle skins.
AK-47 | Legion of Anubis
The previous entries were not especially popular in CS:GO, but this skin looked good from the day it arrived in the Fracture Case. The AK-47 | Legion of Anubis did not change much in CS2, yet its color palette became noticeably richer. It now costs from $30, with Factory New at around $55. If you need something cheaper, check out these budget AK-47 skins.
Glock-18 | Twilight Galaxy
The name promises a galaxy, yet in CS:GO the skin had neither shine nor depth of color. In CS2 transferred skins gained more gloss and shimmer, and the Glock-18 | Twilight Galaxy finally came into its own. It is no longer a budget pick: this Chop Shop Collection skin comes only in Factory New, Minimal Wear and Field-Tested, starts at around $200, and Factory New costs about $450. For more options, see the best Glock-18 skins.
Many old skins went up in price after CS2 was announced, partly because they look better on the new engine. You can buy every skin from this article and thousands more on LIS-SKINS, and our guide to a CS2 inventory for $30 shows how to build an affordable loadout.
