Why So Serious?

Yesterday I was given, quite generously, a free CD Key for the Steam version of Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter from the game's developers. I feel rather like I owe them quite a bit for this act of kindness, which most Scrooge-like game developers wouldn't even consider, let alone carry through with! Yes. I owe them everything but the money. So I offer instead, a recommendation.

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is a high-definition remake of the semi-classic PC FPS Serious Sam: The First Encounter, made by developer Croteam and insanely popular thanks to a cult following of die-hard Sam fans. I wasn't on the PC Gaming scene in 2001 (I was content with my Nintendo 64 and a copy of Super Mario, thankyou very much), but I'm told quite assuredly by Wikipedia that the game was "pretty not terrible." The HD version has had all its graphics shined up and gritted down and whatever it is graphics do to games, and so it looks perfectly good alongside screenshots of all those "real" games, but most importantly the game added 16-player co-op - which turned standard running jumping and gunning gameplay, into instant, hilarious and astonishingly brutal mow-fests of epic proportions.

The First Encounter is fun. The gameplay is simple yet rewarding, the weapons pack seriously lethal punch (mind the unintentional pun), the enemies bleed and gib in a fantastically violent way, blood splatters realistically over the scenery and the enemies and characters are charmingly bizarre (in a blood-lusting, ultra-violent kind of monstery way). My only real gripe with TFE is the shortage of interesting locations. The whole game is set in Ancient Egypt, and while it takes you through mystical temples, beautiful bathing pools and all that, it all feels like one big sandbox. My favourite level is one set underneath a waterfall - with water at its bass and a frankly stunning grassy meadow turning into one big bloody battleground. Egyptian temples failed to showcase the Serious Engine 3's capabilities, and to be honest, pretty much bored me.

Luckily The Second Encounter looks to rectify this, with more locations with lush, green scenery, to snow, and more desert. But it feels bigger, and better, while still retaining all the best parts of TFE. Why they didn't just put this stuff into TFE (since TSE encounter is a remake of the original Serious Sam sequel) is probably due to the economics of episodic gaming. But nontheless, with more multiplayer modes, more co-op, and more gore, TSE will more than likely be a more than worthy predecessor to its forebearer. I'll bring you all a more detailed review of TSE once I've finished it. Until then, Croteam, enjoy your 110% sales boost from being mentioned on this blog, guys. ;)