Summary
- Release Year: 2002
- Genres: Indie, Shooter
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Croteam
- Publishers: Gathering of Developers
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter: A Frantic and Fun Arcade-Style Shooter
Introduction
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, the highly anticipated sequel to the arcade-action FPS Serious Sam: The First Encounter, was released in 2002 and quickly became a fan favorite. The game is a high-adrenaline shooter that focuses on frantic, over-the-top action, with hordes of enemies, powerful weapons, and explosive set pieces.
Gameplay
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter is a single-player FPS that follows the adventures of Sam Stone, a muscular commando on a mission to defeat the evil alien overlord Mental. The game features three distinct worlds, each with its own unique environments and enemies. Sam must battle his way through hordes of Mental’s minions, including headless kamikazes, screaming banshees, and giant monsters.
The gameplay is fast-paced and chaotic, with Sam constantly surrounded by enemies. The game’s weapons are powerful and satisfying to use, and each one has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Sam can also use a variety of melee attacks, including punches, kicks, and a powerful ground pound.
Story
The story of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter is simple but effective. Sam Stone is sent on a mission to defeat Mental, an evil alien overlord who has conquered Earth. Sam must travel through three different worlds, each of which is controlled by one of Mental’s generals.
Along the way, Sam meets a variety of allies, including a talking skull named SSS and a group of human rebels. Sam also learns more about Mental’s plans and the origins of the alien invasion.
Graphics and Sound
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter uses the Serious Engine 2, which was developed by Croteam. The engine is capable of rendering large, detailed environments with impressive lighting and particle effects. The game’s graphics are colorful and vibrant, and the character models are well-animated.
The game’s sound design is also top-notch. The voice acting is excellent, and the sound effects are realistic and immersive. The game’s soundtrack is also memorable, with a mix of heavy metal and electronic music.
Reception
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its frantic gameplay, over-the-top action, and impressive graphics. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter is considered one of the best arcade-style shooters ever made. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, hordes of enemies, and powerful weapons have made it a fan favorite. The game has also been influential on other shooters, including Doom 3 and Painkiller.
Conclusion
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter is a classic arcade-style shooter that offers frantic, over-the-top action. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, hordes of enemies, and powerful weapons make it a blast to play. If you’re a fan of shooters, then you owe it to yourself to check out Serious Sam: The Second Encounter.
Additional Information
- Developer: Croteam
- Publisher: Gathering of Developers
- Release Date: October 11, 2002
- Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2
- Genre: FPS
- Mode: Single-player
- ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Review Score
9/10