Serious Sam 3: BFE

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 758 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 525 out of 758
  2. Mixed: 173 out of 758
  3. Negative: 60 out of 758

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  1. Bloodnes
    Nov 1, 2020
    7
    Для 2011 года может и норм было, но поиграв сейчас понимаешь, что игра просто треш, дух серьезного сэма сохранен, приятно бегать и валить монстров пачками, но вот бегать по лабиринтам без какой либо карты удручает, при попадании в цель, кровь могли бы сделать более детализованную чтоли, эффект от выстрелов недалеко ушел от первых двух частей, которые будут существенно постарше. 7/10Для 2011 года может и норм было, но поиграв сейчас понимаешь, что игра просто треш, дух серьезного сэма сохранен, приятно бегать и валить монстров пачками, но вот бегать по лабиринтам без какой либо карты удручает, при попадании в цель, кровь могли бы сделать более детализованную чтоли, эффект от выстрелов недалеко ушел от первых двух частей, которые будут существенно постарше. 7/10
  2. Nick7000
    Mar 9, 2023
    7
    После плохой двойки - третья часть просто подарок. Сэму к лицу щепотка реализма, однозначно.
  3. KuroZerro
    May 9, 2022
    7
    kind of disappointing i think the old games are better than this miss up this game looks like chaos you will say that the point of the game i say yes and no there must be a balanced sytem runs the game not just chaos
  4. nastyjes
    Aug 2, 2023
    7
    It's nice to see that Croteam is back to basics. But The First Encounter is still the best game in the series.
  5. sinadoom
    Apr 25, 2013
    6
    Given that 2011 was a pretty big year for games, Serious Sam 3 was different to all the other shooters released in that year because it's so old school. It's not trying to be modern or adopt conventions, rather bringing back a game which plays somewhat like Doom and almost identically to a game called Will Rock. Only gain health and ammo from glowing pickups, no cutscenes to interrupt theGiven that 2011 was a pretty big year for games, Serious Sam 3 was different to all the other shooters released in that year because it's so old school. It's not trying to be modern or adopt conventions, rather bringing back a game which plays somewhat like Doom and almost identically to a game called Will Rock. Only gain health and ammo from glowing pickups, no cutscenes to interrupt the flow mid-level and minimal use of aiming down sights. And almost no story or much attention to make levels feel meaningful. And absolutely no attempt at realism. In Serious Sam 3, you get to fight a variety of enemies which are distinctly recognisable and because they come in unbelievably large volumes, and you can sprint ridiculously fast, the game achieves the most fundamental objective of an FPS: to make the action fast-paced and intense. The melee is satisfying, you get unlimited pistol ammo and the game mechanics are very solid. Controls are simple and satisfying. Simple things like changing the way your crosshair looks and disabling headbob and even the ability to switch seamlessly between first and third person view whilst in-game with the press of a button are all great additions. The environments are purposely out of proportion to give you room, so that's why the game allows you to have field of view of up to 120 degrees although one disadvantage of everything being so wide is that it's easy to get lost. Yet despite all the old-school gameplay and premise, Serious Sam 3 has great graphics (especially the lighting and blood effects), smooth framerate, minimal texture pop-in and a distinct style, because it uses Serious Engine 3 (and not something generic like Unreal Engine 3). You can also play both the survival modes and campaign in co-op locally with a friend, which almost no other PC shooters do. That said, old school shooters don't work very well with controller. All in all though, Serious Sam 3 is a pleasant change from the more complex modern shooter. It takes everything back to basics yet still delivers an exciting FPS experience. My main complaint is that it's not really gripping because there's nothing which makes you want to continue playing. Of course, games like this naturally get repetitive since they're so minimalistic in their content. To get an idea of what this game is, think of Battlefield 3 as a whole and imagine the exact opposite. Then you get Serious Sam 3. Two very different games, two very different motives. If you hate modern shooters, you'll love this game. If you're a console gamer, you'll hate this.… Expand
  6. Contemptible
    Jan 4, 2012
    6
    Wacky looking aliens. corny lines. weak story (as expected). good but incredibly repetitive action. Endless hordes. You can think what you want but to me its utterly average.
  7. Budget_Security
    Aug 26, 2013
    6
    Like with all previous Serious Sam games, you should play the full campaign in co-op mode with friends. Only then does it shine. I played split-screen (2 keyboards, 2 mice, 1 PC) with my bro. Compared to previous games, Sam3 may be too serious (Sam1 had the right balance of absurdity and seriousness, Sam2 was not serious enough). There is still the usual witty adolescent humour thoughLike with all previous Serious Sam games, you should play the full campaign in co-op mode with friends. Only then does it shine. I played split-screen (2 keyboards, 2 mice, 1 PC) with my bro. Compared to previous games, Sam3 may be too serious (Sam1 had the right balance of absurdity and seriousness, Sam2 was not serious enough). There is still the usual witty adolescent humour though (lame in a good way). I respect Croteam for still patching the game 2 years after release. Sadly, Sam3 feels a bit shorter than previous games. The end boss fight was too difficult and it was not always clear what you were supposed to do. Worth playing if you have some Co-op buddies.… Expand
  8. tayfuntuna
    Jul 25, 2013
    6
    I've loved Serious Sam series for being fast and reckless. Now the game has become ridiculously realistic, giving you an automatic rifle, which has an ammo clip capable of bringing down an enemy or two. You keep reloading while thirty enemy is running at you at full speed. The game looks great, but when even the enemy's dying animation is scripted, there are absolutely no magical momentsI've loved Serious Sam series for being fast and reckless. Now the game has become ridiculously realistic, giving you an automatic rifle, which has an ammo clip capable of bringing down an enemy or two. You keep reloading while thirty enemy is running at you at full speed. The game looks great, but when even the enemy's dying animation is scripted, there are absolutely no magical moments to enjoy. When you get the true weapons of destruction, the game is already close to the end. Great concept, good graphics, yet it's hardly fun.… Expand
  9. Tomle1202
    Jun 8, 2022
    6
    As much as I love how chaotic it can be at times, Serious Sam 3 is a messy videogame whose various components were lazily patched together with a broken hammer.
  10. pesho_one
    Mar 19, 2015
    6
    Do you like frantic action in a FPS game? Do you like nice environments both epic and pretty? Do you like a nice line-up of very responsive and fun to use weapons?

    I would guess, the answer to all of them is yes, correct? And this game's answers is 'yes' to all of them. And it was really fun in the first couple of hours. Maybe even too fun (as the endless enemies thrown at the player    Do you like frantic action in a FPS game? Do you like nice environments both epic and pretty? Do you like a nice line-up of very responsive and fun to use weapons?

    I would guess, the answer to all of them is yes, correct? And this game's answers is 'yes' to all of them.
    And it was really fun in the first couple of hours. Maybe even too fun (as the endless enemies thrown at the player was a fresh concept for me).
    Can then, somebody explain to me, why this game failed to be engaging really soon?
    My own explanation is - because all of those reasons. Quake had frantic action, but it didn't feel repetitive. Half-life also had epic environments, but they weren't only for background. The weapons, well they are just "meh".

    And I would kind want to continue playing, but I know exactly what will happen - I'll go to a big open space and I'll have to shoot the hell out of hundreds of the same enemies that I already know and probably fight an occasional boss. Again, and again, and again... Only if the enemies weren't that much and time-consuming to shoot them all - I would probably want to see all the scenery remaining.    … Expand
  11. Dco326
    Feb 15, 2023
    6
    Prica ocajna iskreno, sve je slabo napisano jako, non stop isto se radi posle nekog vremena pocne da smara bas jbg.
  12. LionGrand
    Jul 15, 2018
    6
    здесь игра стала взрослее графика более реалистична появилась перезарядка. вернулся старый добрый Египет. Видеоролики даже нам напоминают что здесь есть сюжет. Вообщем старый добрый шутер
  13. Andreas444
    Mar 12, 2020
    6
    Enemies look a lot more intimidating compared to the older games where they looked goofy as hell which I admire.
    The OST still good,sprinting was a nice addition,but reloading and iron sights...why?
    TFE/TSE only had the revolvers and the double barrel shotgun reloading but still. Hitscan enemies which dries your health quick as hell. Also bride witch is possible to must unfair enemy    Enemies look a lot more intimidating compared to the older games where they looked goofy as hell which I admire.
    The OST still good,sprinting was a nice addition,but reloading and iron sights...why?
    TFE/TSE only had the revolvers and the double barrel shotgun reloading but still.

    Hitscan enemies which dries your health quick as hell.
    Also bride witch is possible to must unfair enemy to face in a FPS game,stuns you mid air while a horde of kleers,kamikazes,biomechanoids etc. are after you. Good one Croteam.    … Expand
  14. JaydenPickens
    Feb 20, 2019
    6
    SS 3 disappointed me. Disappointed me, because the beginning of the game and first couple of levels are awful new-wave shooting crap. I want my Sam on big opened space where he can shoot cannon balls and rockets. This game ruins this at the beginning giving us boring CoD crap kind of shooting. But at least when we'll survive these levels, the good stuff appears and makes me happy. That'sSS 3 disappointed me. Disappointed me, because the beginning of the game and first couple of levels are awful new-wave shooting crap. I want my Sam on big opened space where he can shoot cannon balls and rockets. This game ruins this at the beginning giving us boring CoD crap kind of shooting. But at least when we'll survive these levels, the good stuff appears and makes me happy. That's what's good here, good old Sam. Rise and shine Sammy! Pickens approves!… Expand
  15. farrrullll
    Jan 27, 2023
    6
    Serious Sam 3 Bfe Serious Sam 3 Bfe Serious Sam 3 Bfe Serious Sam 3 Bfe Serious Sam 3 Bfe
  16. Harthik69
    Jul 9, 2023
    6
    okok kind of game and visuals but something is lacking thats why i dont want to play this agian
  17. DrBrogbo
    Jul 11, 2012
    5
    Oh Sam, where did you go so wrong? This game is suffering from a serious identity crisis. Serious Sam has always been (and is supposed to be) about fighting off monstrous waves of enemies, and being slaughtered should you let your guard down for a second. THIS game, however, is more about throwing 2 or 3 enemies at you at a time, as some sort of patience test. Fighting seemingly endlessOh Sam, where did you go so wrong? This game is suffering from a serious identity crisis. Serious Sam has always been (and is supposed to be) about fighting off monstrous waves of enemies, and being slaughtered should you let your guard down for a second. THIS game, however, is more about throwing 2 or 3 enemies at you at a time, as some sort of patience test. Fighting seemingly endless spurts of baddies for 15 minutes is incredibly boring, and unbelievably frustrating. I even turned the difficulty up, but the only things that seemed different at all were the humongous fights, which were borderline-impossible. ************************ The guns are utterly uninspiring, as we have seen every single one of them in every single other Serious Sam game, with the exception of the mostly useless "leash" thing. Sam has a new melee attack that will kill any enemy roughly Sam's size or smaller in one hit, from as far away as 10 feet, which is incredibly lame. What's the danger in letting an enemy get close when you can instantaneously one-hit-kill them? ************************ Sound design in this game is HORRENDOUS. Don't get me wrong, the sound effects are what I expected, and when the metal music gets pumping during hectic fights, it can be addicting. However, when you are facing the little tiny groups of 2 enemies at a time, the music will switch from laid-back to frantic over and over and over and over and over. Also, when enemies make noises, they will sound like they're right next to you, even if they're literally 200 feet away. I guess it makes sense though, since shotgun enemies will be able to tag you from literally the other side of the level. ********************************* Level design is good, and the graphics are pretty awesome. The DX11 tessellation in particular was noticeable. The only complaint I have is that character animation is absolutely horrible. Watching any character speak reminded me of 2003-era games. ************************** It seems like every first person shooter to come out in the past decade has had an incredibly annoying last level. This game takes the cake, though. In fact, this game runs in its nephew's birthday party naked, screaming profanities, slaps the cake right out of everyone's hands, and sets the house on fire. I have never EVER seen a more annoying last level. It is so horrendously, hideously, mind-blowingly repetitive and annoying, that I seriously had to FORCE myself to fire it back up and finish it. I now wish I hadn't, since the boss fight is an even more ridiculous chore. First thing I did after finishing the game is pound the escape key to get back to the menu, exit the game, and click "delete." Didn't even watch the ending cinematic. *********************************** This game is a LOT of fun in multiplayer, and there are a few moments in single player that were actually "fun," but they were few and far between, and I spent most of the gameplay time annoyed. As someone who has played and beaten ALL of the other Serious Sam games (both regular and HD versions, as well as Random Encounter and DD), I cannot recommend this game to anyone, unless it is expressly for multiplayer. This is the video game equivalent of that cheerleader you knew in college: Gorgeous to look at and seems like a blast, but in reality she's frustrating as hell, and all you want is out.… Expand
  18. ffffff
    Nov 26, 2011
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. first of all, i am very sorry for my english, i' writting from argentina

    what happened to this game? the animations are horrible... especially the melee ones (check 3rd person view) and the strafe ones... even QUAKE 3 does strafe animations correctly in EVERY SINGLE MODEL (and yes, there are a lot of them)

    its very funny how croteam decided every single charater should wear sunglasses to cover the lack of facial expression

    also why sam model has a pistol but he can only use the one he founds on the floor?

    I don't understand why Sam likes Hellfire... is the ugliest girl in the world, I know he is in the middle of the desert and there are no other girls... but she looks like a lesbian or something. also she says sam has a "mini gun"?? WTF? I though duke nukem was the one full on steroids that shrinked his dâ    … Expand
  19. daimmonr757
    Jan 4, 2012
    5
    Sam is dead.
  20. Comreak
    Feb 11, 2012
    5
    Serious Sam 3 is at its best when it resembles the original Serious Sam games, when it has you mowing down hordes of enemies. All too often, however, it resembles an uninspired mishmash of old and new. Initially, the game looks like something out of a modern shooter: nearly monochromatic color-scheme, out of control bloom/HDR effects, cramped spaces, and no weapons available except thoseSerious Sam 3 is at its best when it resembles the original Serious Sam games, when it has you mowing down hordes of enemies. All too often, however, it resembles an uninspired mishmash of old and new. Initially, the game looks like something out of a modern shooter: nearly monochromatic color-scheme, out of control bloom/HDR effects, cramped spaces, and no weapons available except those requiring reloading. This portion of the game annoyingly features many hit-scan (or non-projectile) enemies that love to snipe you from afar with ridiculous accuracy (sometimes with a shotgun). The game eventually opens up and begins to feel like the classics it takes inspiration from, but it takes *far* too long and doesn't happen nearly often enough. You spend too much time bumbling around in cramped, pitch-black areas, while being required to kill enemies and flip tiny switches that are hard to see with nothing but a narrow-coned flashlight. Made worse by enemies that love to swipe you and then run off before you can respond. You also commonly end up in areas where you have to run back and forth across the same terrain, collecting keys (or key like objects) before youâ… Expand
  21. iseeall
    Mar 2, 2017
    5
    A mediocre shooter which lacks the adrenaline feel of Serious Sam 1 and 2. Instead, it tries to be a shooter with a story but it's just too shallow to take seriously. The fights are pretty easy, where the only difficulty is that you can't see the enemies properly in all the grass and destructible garbage with which levels are littered here. Levels are large, filled with cloned objectsA mediocre shooter which lacks the adrenaline feel of Serious Sam 1 and 2. Instead, it tries to be a shooter with a story but it's just too shallow to take seriously. The fights are pretty easy, where the only difficulty is that you can't see the enemies properly in all the grass and destructible garbage with which levels are littered here. Levels are large, filled with cloned objects which start to feel repetitive pretty soon. I dropped this game after 2 hours. It's a shooter and it works, but it's not nearly as fun as the previous versions.… Expand
  22. Gamer147
    Jun 15, 2013
    5
    The game had the potential to surpass Serious Sam 1, yet, I found the main drawback was the poor attempt at a larger map, more secrets and most horribly, puzzles. THIS GAME HAD TOO MUCH WALKING, I DID NOT BUY IT TO WALK FOR 5 HOURS.

    PLEASE, developers, if you're reading this, don't make Serious Sam 4 as confusing, I ended up walking for atleast 20 minutes on some occasions in 3. LESS    The game had the potential to surpass Serious Sam 1, yet, I found the main drawback was the poor attempt at a larger map, more secrets and most horribly, puzzles. THIS GAME HAD TOO MUCH WALKING, I DID NOT BUY IT TO WALK FOR 5 HOURS.

    PLEASE, developers, if you're reading this, don't make Serious Sam 4 as confusing, I ended up walking for atleast 20 minutes on some occasions in 3. LESS WALKING, MORE ENEMIES AND MERCILESS KILLING. (And more guns, more guns never hurt)    … Expand
  23. g0ing2f4st
    Dec 4, 2013
    5
    If your a fan of the series than go for it, otherwise stay away. They say its an old school shooter and it is. It lacks all the refinement and decency that comes with most modern fps. The game has no map, radar, or objective markers making it often unclear where you are going. The enemies are lacking decent ai and either stumble around like zombies or just make a straight line for you,If your a fan of the series than go for it, otherwise stay away. They say its an old school shooter and it is. It lacks all the refinement and decency that comes with most modern fps. The game has no map, radar, or objective markers making it often unclear where you are going. The enemies are lacking decent ai and either stumble around like zombies or just make a straight line for you, often getting stuck in terrain and objects. Enemy sounds are equally terrible and extremely repetitive. Graphics are a mixed bag as some environments look nice but characters look stiff and awkward and the particle effects for explosions are just messy often making oncoming enemies impossible to see.

    Better than Duke Nukem Forever though    … Expand
  24. erexx
    Jun 15, 2020
    5
    Boring.
    Very little like other games in the series.
    Lots of searching and very few weapons but that's ok because there's nothing to shoot.
    Crawling through endless mounds of busted rubble and trash for bottles of health pills.
    Endless waves of enemies and awesome guns replaced with sniper fights and hammer throws.
    Again... the most boring entry in the Serious Sam franchise.
  25. bar0yka
    Jan 30, 2023
    5
    5.5 çizgisel olması bana göre güzel ama fazla teke düze bu yüzden oynama motivasyonum kalmadı ve sildim.
  26. Izoeros
    Jun 19, 2022
    5
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  27. Jakkar
    Dec 6, 2012
    4
    This isn't Serious Sam. To call a Sam game repetitive would seem redundant, but I can find no better word to describe the cause of the boredom and frustration I felt in trying to complete this game.

    Taunting you for hours, initially, with gameplay necessitating the use of cover while reloading low-power modern military weapons and fighting firearm-wielding humanoids mixed up with    This isn't Serious Sam. To call a Sam game repetitive would seem redundant, but I can find no better word to describe the cause of the boredom and frustration I felt in trying to complete this game.

    Taunting you for hours, initially, with gameplay necessitating the use of cover while reloading low-power modern military weapons and fighting firearm-wielding humanoids mixed up with 'endless spider crab things', it finally opens up to real large-scale setpiece runs against hordes of foes, but forgets any of the lessons of pacing and most of the depth and fun inherent to enemy behaviour in the original games.

    Eventually you come to fight hordes so large it feels more like a gruelling job of endlessly mopping the same floor in a club toilet as wave after wave of drunkards arrive to vomit across the tiles. You will spend hours simply 'wiping' massive groups of identical enemies with sustained fire, the pattern of projectile dodging repeating ad nauseum until you're subconsciously going through the motions unharmed. To counteract this most of the larger enemies and many smaller examples can do catastrophic, ridiculous amounts of damage to Sam, and one mistake can send you back to your last quicksave. If you play above Normal difficulty there will be so very many of these.

    Animations are dreadful, enemies are a mixture of poorly recreated old and illogical new, most foes follow the precise same AI routines and the level design is complicated yet utterly boring. Dialogue is unbearable and has none of the deranged snappiness of the classic games, focusing instead on crude, peurile humour and military grunt cliches. There's also far too much of it, in cutscenes instead of voiceover.

    A very bland copy of the original information database makes a return in painfully 'console' form, with no controls, no text scrolling, and a very slow wait for any information on the subjects in question.

    In the end the only thing I liked about it was the way Gnaar's heads explode when you unload a coach gun into their optic orbit.

    Painful. I'm going to buy the HD classics on Steam now to cleanse myself of this travesty. I don't know what happened to Croteam to lead them to lose the soul of Sam so completely, and attempt a poor copy years later.    … Expand
  28. Whatheage
    Jun 22, 2015
    4
    Its really bad same crap as 2 both are boring you will never experience the classics that are very fun this is totaly worse than average serious sam can be rather go and play some old school
  29. digdilem
    Jun 5, 2012
    3
    Played it all the way through, but really it was a grind. Dull, boring, none of the glee and fun that the first two in the series brought us. The method of killing the final boss was ridiculous, and every other boss was dull and boring. The level design was also fairly uninspired.
  30. chumpwithnoname
    Feb 22, 2022
    3
    Boring, bland and repetitive experience. Doesn't feel like original Serious Sam at all.
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
38
#38 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 53 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 53
  3. Negative: 0 out of 53
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 13, 2012
    82
    This game is the opposite of modern FPS. Enemies attack in hordes and the levels are labyrinths. Serious Sam 3: BFE is a game from 90's made with the tools of the 21st century. [March 2012]
  2. Worth Playing
    Mar 3, 2012
    70
    Serious Sam 3: BFE is a game worth checking out, especially if you were a fan of old iD Software titles like Doom or Wolfenstein, or the even the Serious Sam series itself. If you're a gamer who's only played modern FPS titles, you'd still do well to see what Serious Sam 3 has to offer. It's more unique nowadays, and it's polished just enough to be an enjoyable experience.
    Read full review
  3. PC Master (Greece)
    Mar 1, 2012
    85
    A worthy descendant of the original Serious Sam titles, it's a FPS that deviates from the standards of today's games: its difficulty level is high, it challenges your reflexes, it's utterly addictive and it's honest, as it delivers on what it promises. [February 2012]
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