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Serious Sam: The First Encounter vs Serious Sam II

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Serious Sam: The First Encounter
Serious Sam: The First EncounterFast‑paced, retro‑style shooter that pits you against endless alien hordes.
Serious Sam II
Serious Sam IINon-stop arena mayhem with over-the-top firepower
Overview
Description

Serious Sam: The First Encounter is a classic first‑person shooter that delivers relentless action across sprawling, open arenas. Developed by Croteam, the game challenges players to survive wave after wave of bizarre enemies with a massive arsenal of weapons. The title features both single‑player and multiplayer modes, including co‑operative play, allowing friends to team up and tackle the chaos together. Its sci‑fi setting and over‑the‑top combat have made it a beloved indie shooter since its 2001 release.

Serious Sam II returns to the series' signature fast-paced, wave-based shooting action, delivering chaotic battles across diverse sci‑fi environments. With both single‑player and robust multiplayer modes, players can tear through hordes of enemies alone or with friends in co‑op and split‑screen play. The game builds on its predecessor with larger maps, more varied enemy types, and a playful sense of humor that blends intense combat with tongue‑in‑cheek moments, making it a standout title for fans of classic arena shooters.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
First-Person Shooters
First-Person Shooters
Best for
Fans of classic FPS and fast‑paced action
Fans of classic arena shooters
Specifications
Spec source
AI-estimated
AI-estimated
General
msrp
$39.99
$19.9950%
release date
2001-03-21
2005-10-11
Specifications
developer
Croteam
Croteam
publisher
Gathering of Developers
Take-Two Interactive, 2K Games
age rating
ESRB M
ESRB M, PEGI 12
multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
critic score
83/100+6%
78/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Non‑stop, high‑octane action
  • Large variety of weapons
  • Robust co‑op multiplayer
  • Engaging retro aesthetic
  • High-octane, relentless action
  • Robust local and online multiplayer options
  • Large variety of weapons and enemies
  • Humorous tone adds charm
Cons
  • Limited narrative depth
  • Graphics may feel dated to modern players
  • No official console ports
  • Graphics are dated by modern standards
  • Limited narrative depth
  • Occasional performance hiccups on Linux
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

More alternatives & similar tools

Alternatives to Serious Sam: The First Encounter

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Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

Fast‑paced, over‑the‑top shooter that pits Sam against endless alien hordes.

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Serious Sam II
Serious Sam II

Non-stop arena mayhem with over-the-top firepower

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Serious Sam 3: BFE
Serious Sam 3: BFE

Classic over‑the‑top shooter revives Sam's chaotic origins.

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Quake III Arena
Quake III Arena

Fast‑paced arena shooter that defines classic multiplayer combat

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Alternatives to Serious Sam II

View all →
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

Fast‑paced, over‑the‑top shooter that pits Sam against endless alien hordes.

Compare
Serious Sam 3: BFE
Serious Sam 3: BFE

Classic over‑the‑top shooter revives Sam's chaotic origins.

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Serious Sam: The First Encounter
Serious Sam: The First Encounter

Fast‑paced, retro‑style shooter that pits you against endless alien hordes.

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Forsaken
Forsaken

Fast‑paced sci‑fi arena shooter with split‑screen mayhem

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Serious Sam: The First Encounter offers a slightly richer co‑op experience and higher critic score at double the price, while Serious Sam II is cheaper but focuses more on split‑screen and online play.

Key differences

  • Price: A costs $39.99 vs B $19.99.
  • Multiplayer modes: A has up to 4‑player co‑op online; B adds split‑screen couch co‑op and LAN/online matchmaking.
  • Content volume: A features large open arenas and dynamic scoring; B provides multiple single‑player campaigns and over 30 enemy types.
  • Critic reception: A scored 83/100, B 78/100.
  • Platform support: A only listed for PC; B explicitly supports both Linux and Windows.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

A’s fast‑respawn, dynamic scoring and large open arenas create nonstop high‑octane action praised by critics.

Serious Sam: The First Encounter

Platform availability

B is optimized for both Linux and Windows, whereas A only mentions PC with no console ports.

Serious Sam II

Price & value

B is half the price ($19.99) while still delivering core shooter experience.

Serious Sam II

Multiplayer / co‑op

B adds split‑screen couch co‑op and LAN/online matchmaking; A only supports up to four players online.

Serious Sam II

Content & replayability

A offers large open environments, dynamic scoring, and multiple difficulty settings, encouraging repeat play.

Serious Sam: The First Encounter

Difficulty & accessibility

A provides multiple difficulty settings for newcomers and veterans; B’s difficulty levels not specified.

Serious Sam: The First Encounter

Graphics & performance

Both are described as having dated graphics; no performance data differentiates them.

Tie

Choose Serious Sam: The First Encounter if…

Buyers who prioritize high‑score gameplay, richer co‑op, and higher critical acclaim and don’t mind paying more.

Choose Serious Sam II if…

Buyers seeking a cheaper entry with split‑screen couch play and Linux support.

Common questions

Is Serious Sam II cheaper than Serious Sam: The First Encounter?

Yes, Serious Sam II costs $19.99 while Serious Sam: The First Encounter costs $39.99.

Which game offers split‑screen co‑op?

Serious Sam II supports up to 4 players in split‑screen co‑op; Serious Sam: The First Encounter does not.

Do both games run on Linux?

Linux support is explicitly mentioned for Serious Sam II; it is not specified for Serious Sam: The First Encounter.