Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

About Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is a 2009 first-person shooter that revamps Croteam's original 2004 title with enhanced visuals and Steam support. Set in a sci-fi universe where humans battle extraterrestrial hordes, the game tasks you with piloting Sam Stone through chaotic, fast-paced combat. You’ll blast through waves of grotesque monsters using a mix of guns, grenades, and Sirian tech while time-traveling to disrupt Mental’s invasion plans. Devolver Digital published this PC and Xbox 360 port, which adds multiplayer and co-op modes to the single-player campaign. It’s a straight-up arcade shooter focused on overwhelming firepower and quick reflexes, ideal for fans of unapologetic gunplay.

Gameplay

The game revolves around rapid-fire combat in linear levels filled with swarms of enemies. Each mission forces you to juggle health management, ammo conservation, and quick target switching, often under 10 minutes long. Weapons range from machine guns to rocket launchers, and you frequently chain power attacks to destroy tough foes. Multiplayer and co-op modes let up to 16 players team up or battle, emphasizing teamwork and aggressive playstyles. The controls are tight but basic, prioritizing responsiveness over depth. Missions rarely slow down, with constant waves of enemies and set-piece boss fights. Between the over-the-top action and minimal downtime, sessions feel like a relentless, bullet-spraying carnival ride.

What Players Think

Community reception is mixed but leans positive, with an IGDB score of 74.6/100 from 92 critics. Players praise the game’s chaotic energy and accessibility, though some note dated visuals compared to modern shooters. Completion rates for the single-player campaign average around 50%, with most players finishing under 10 hours. Co-op modes see higher engagement, suggesting multiplayer keeps the experience fresh. Reviews highlight the “silly, no-holds-barred fun” but criticize repetitive level design. On PlayPile, moods range from “thrilling” to “tiring,” with some users calling it a “nostalgic throwback” and others dismissing it as “overly simplistic.”

PlayPile's Take

Serious Sam HD is a decent pick for casual shooters who prioritize action over depth. It lacks narrative complexity and mechanical nuance, but its relentless combat and co-op modes make it a good pick for short, high-energy sessions. With no price listed here and achievements tied to completionist tasks, it’s best suited for fans of arcade-style FPS classics. If you’re craving a game that’s loud, fast, and doesn’t take itself seriously, this is your jam. But don’t expect a deep or lasting experience.

Storyline

In ancient times, Earth was involved in a massive conflict between Mental, an evil extraterrestrial being who wants to rule the universe, and the Sirians, a technologically advanced sentient alien race that left many of its artifacts to be discovered by humanity. In the 22nd century, Mental and his army of grotesquely twisted monsters return to Earth intending to destroy humanity. The humans are quickly overwhelmed and driven back to Earth. As a last resort, humanity uses the "Time-Lock". This mysterious Sirian artifact contains the power to transport a single person back to a chosen point in time. Because of his bravery in fighting these monsters, Sam "Serious" Stone is chosen to use the Time-Lock in hopes that he will defeat Mental and change the course of history.