Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 314 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 264 out of 314
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 314
  3. Negative: 9 out of 314
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  1. Falling_Hammer
    Jun 14, 2011
    10
    A very funny, bizarre, crazy, hilarious, great, fuc**** great game. I bloody loved it.... full of action, humor..... Don't play it, you'll get addicted to it.
  2. JaydenPickens
    Feb 20, 2019
    10
    One of my fav games. Amazing level design, weapons, humor, sound and atmosphere. Classic shooter right here. Wish they'd still make shooters like this nowadays. Pickens approves!
  3. SeriousSam88
    Jan 15, 2012
    10
    Greatest game ever made!Best fps!This game 10 year old,but many people thing its beter over al cod and Bf.Graphics 1010(In 2002),Sound 910(Great hits from undercode and Damjan Mravunac)Gameplay 1010,Multiplayer 1010
  4. SeriousPain
    Jan 27, 2014
    10
    Some people think Serious Sam is a brainless chaotic run and gun Duke Nukem clone. While it is old school run and gun, and can be played without much thinking, its definitely much brainless , and there wont be difficulty spikes and that much chaos if you'll actually develop some tactics to how to deal with the enemy in different situations.
    And its definitely not a maze game with shooting    Some people think Serious Sam is a brainless chaotic run and gun Duke Nukem clone. While it is old school run and gun, and can be played without much thinking, its definitely much brainless , and there wont be difficulty spikes and that much chaos if you'll actually develop some tactics to how to deal with the enemy in different situations.
    And its definitely not a maze game with shooting in it like Doom or Duke Nukem!

    You'd think a game that simply based around running and shooting is just a generic FPS (or TPS, the game also has 3rd person perspective), but the only game I can think of that does the same is Will Rock (no, not Painkiller).

    In those games (I'll talk about the whole franchise, even though SSII and SS3:BFE did few mistakes here and there), every enemy has its own basic movement, attack, sound, the enemies can come from any direction, at any time, in any amount, and theres usually more then one kind of enemy coming at you at once, and it all matters to figure how to move, what guns to use and who should you deal with first, but theres no enemies that require specific weapons to deal with, and the game never tells you what exactly to do all the time, so theres many ways to go through each levels, sometimes even brainlessly running forward and shooting everything that moves with your strongest weapons, but that will get you killed a lot and thats the reason people think the game is too chaotic, they don't think enough.

    Going through levels experimenting with different tactics, or simply blowing **** up on lower difficulty or with cheats, together with secrets, the game counting how long it took you to pass every level and how many monsters you killed, and also all the mods the community keeps making, give the Serious Sam games lots of replayability.

    And the various levels with always great graphics for its time, that in this franchise never looks dated like some other games of its time, with a great and one of my favorite soundtracks (that helps in gameplay by changing when monsters appear) never gets old!
    Just don't expect any story. It has one, but its not the focus of the games.

    Serious Sam, with The Second Encounter considered by many as the best in the franchise (and for good reasons) is one of the best pure Shooters out there, and my all time favorite! Obviously 10/10!    … Expand
  5. nitorita
    Apr 25, 2020
    10
    Additional Serious Sam fun, with more exotic maps, harder secrets, insane fights, and extra weapons. Nothing was compromised in this sequel. You get everything that made The First Encounter amazing, and more.

    The game is overall longer and much more "in your face" with the action. The maps in The First Encounter felt a little empty, but Croteam rectified that by now adding much more to    Additional Serious Sam fun, with more exotic maps, harder secrets, insane fights, and extra weapons. Nothing was compromised in this sequel. You get everything that made The First Encounter amazing, and more.

    The game is overall longer and much more "in your face" with the action. The maps in The First Encounter felt a little empty, but Croteam rectified that by now adding much more to see and do. I love the improved puzzles, plethora of traps, and map manipulation. There are a lot more surprise attacks and unforgiving battles to keep you on the edge of your seat.

    The Second Encounter truly makes the prequel feels like a beta version to a finished product. You really can't get any better of an arena shooter than this, especially considering when it was released. It was the cream of the crop of that era, and still continues to age well like a bottle of fine wine.

    Thus, if you enjoy arena shooters, definitely play this along with its prequel. They go on sale often now, so you can easily grab them for less than the cost of lunch.    … Expand
  6. ritardedartkid
    Jul 20, 2013
    3
    If you've ever played the first encounter then you've already played the second one. Same weapons, same enemies, and a lot more painful to play through.
  7. Andreas444
    Mar 12, 2020
    9
    One of the best sequels to an FPS game,if you got tired of the same setting like TFE has,then you`ll be pleasantly surprised with The Second Encounter as you go through different type of areas,not just desert.
    More enemies,more one liners, more weapons.
    A perfect sequel.
  8. VigilanteOito
    Feb 2, 2021
    10
    Superou o primeiro em alguns aspectos.
    Graficos muito bonitos para a epoca.
    Armas legais.
  9. SergeiZ
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    Like The First Encounter, but more Maps, More enemies, more battles. Perfect!
  10. storygamer
    Sep 1, 2020
    9
    Serious Sam: The Second Encounter is a unique FPS game. It´s hectic, powerful, crazy and looks beautiful. Simple but terrific shooter. Wonderful!
  11. MrTextar
    Aug 17, 2020
    10
    СЕЙЧАС БУДУ ЗАЖИГАТЬ!

    "Второе пришествие" это второй эпизод игры "Крутой Сэм". Главный герой уже отправился на планету злодея, дабы начистить супостату морду. Но не тут то было... Ушлые разработчики, дабы сделать ещё один эпизод, нарочно на самодельной ракете сбивают корабль, на котором летел Сэм. Теперь наш крутой парень застрял во времена Ацтеков. По ходу игры нам придётся посетить    СЕЙЧАС БУДУ ЗАЖИГАТЬ!

    "Второе пришествие" это второй эпизод игры "Крутой Сэм". Главный герой уже отправился на планету злодея, дабы начистить супостату морду. Но не тут то было... Ушлые разработчики, дабы сделать ещё один эпизод, нарочно на самодельной ракете сбивают корабль, на котором летел Сэм. Теперь наш крутой парень застрял во времена Ацтеков.

    По ходу игры нам придётся посетить много мест. Джунгли, города разных эпох, храмы - всё это обильно напичкано бонусами и монстрами. Всё, что было в первом эпизоде, а именно толпы монстров, крутые пушки - осталось на месте, но ко всему этому прибавилась ещё парочка видов оружия и несколько видов нечисти.

    Игровой процесс требует от игрока определённых умений и логического мышления. Уровни стали сложнее по своей структуре, стало больше ловушек. Например, в одном из храмов будет комната, которая крутится. Сэм, буквально, оказался белкой в колесе. Новые монстры также не дадут отдыха. Благо, можно выждать момент и расправиться со всеми издали, при помощи снайперской винтовки.

    "Второе пришествие" не изменило традициям, оно и неудивительно. К отличной "Первой крови" добавили разнообразные локации, а сражения сделали ещё более глубокими в плане тактики. Именно по этому Serious Sam: The Second Encounter заслуживает честную десятку, как один из лучших шутеров старой школы.    … Expand
  12. sam90211
    Aug 14, 2020
    10
    The best game is better than doom. In this game, you fight against aliens and big aliens.
  13. ZiggyStardust
    Aug 13, 2002
    9
    The best way to describe serious sam is fun. having yelling guys running at you with bombs in both hands is hilarious. in fact most of the enemies are over the top in the same way. another guy comes at you with a chainsaw and laughing. ss plays like doom on speed. it's quite an action packed game that doesn't take itself too seriously. oh and if you enjoyed the 1st serious sam,The best way to describe serious sam is fun. having yelling guys running at you with bombs in both hands is hilarious. in fact most of the enemies are over the top in the same way. another guy comes at you with a chainsaw and laughing. ss plays like doom on speed. it's quite an action packed game that doesn't take itself too seriously. oh and if you enjoyed the 1st serious sam, this is basically more of the same. … Expand
  14. SimonB.
    Oct 16, 2007
    9
    Don't quite reckon having seen a game just blow my mind away with thousands of monsters coming at me at the same time. There might be that AVP2 game and Starship Troopers, but they're not games like Serious Sam: Second Encounter at all. Serious Sam is all about absurd comedy and not being serious at all. It's almost like the game is being sarcastic to you all the time. Don't quite reckon having seen a game just blow my mind away with thousands of monsters coming at me at the same time. There might be that AVP2 game and Starship Troopers, but they're not games like Serious Sam: Second Encounter at all. Serious Sam is all about absurd comedy and not being serious at all. It's almost like the game is being sarcastic to you all the time. Leave your brains at the door, they are irrelevant. Just blow your way through enemies, collect artifacts and get out. The game's got some inventivity on the worlds, which makes it a lot more interesting than always wadeing through the same texture while on a linear railway. You know what games I'm talking about. If Serious Sam: Second Encounter isn't an FPS classic, I don't know what is. Nine for NUMBING action. Keep your finger on that mouse button and never let go.… Expand
  15. BasilZero
    Oct 21, 2018
    8
    Game: Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter
    Genre: Shooter (First Person and Third Person)
    Developer: Croteam Publisher: Devolver Digital System: Steam (PC) Year of Release: 2002 Length of Playthrough: 6 Hours Total Score: 81/100 Value Score: 8.1/10 • Story: 6/10 • Characters: 8/10 • GamePlay: 9/10 • Graphics: 8/10 • Sound: 8/10 • Music: 7/10 • Length: 8/10 • Replay    Game: Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter
    Genre: Shooter (First Person and Third Person)
    Developer: Croteam
    Publisher: Devolver Digital
    System: Steam (PC)
    Year of Release: 2002
    Length of Playthrough: 6 Hours

    Total Score: 81/100
    Value Score: 8.1/10

    • Story: 6/10
    • Characters: 8/10
    • GamePlay: 9/10
    • Graphics: 8/10
    • Sound: 8/10
    • Music: 7/10
    • Length: 8/10
    • Replay Value: 8/10
    • Player Value: 9/10

    Pros
    +Can switch between first person and third person view
    +Four player split screen MP is supported on one PC
    +Online Co-Op supports up to 16 players via Campaign that can have modifications of health spawns, enemy spawns and item spawns
    +Death match and Score match are two competitive modes for online MP
    +New weapons and new locations
    +New player models for MP
    +More emphasis in platforming, traps and gimmick level designs

    Cons
    -Single player content is bare minimum in the form of a single player campaign
    -Game takes place in one setting but was intended to be more settings, but was cut short due to development. You will need to play the "Second Encounter" to enjoy the rest of the "Serious Sam 1" story.
    -New Game in MP requires modding    … Expand
  16. iseeall
    Dec 14, 2015
    9
    This sequel is as good as the first Serious Sam. A few weapons were added (sniper rifle and flamethrower), the missions are a bit more varied and there are a few new enemies. The game is as funny and as action-packed as before.
  17. Pepelinojosefo
    Apr 15, 2013
    9
    Disfrute bastante la primera entrega, y este tambien lo disfrute mucho, mas armas, mas enemigos, muchos mas niveles, mas ambientaciones en vez de solo egipto, y mas humor! Extremadamente recomendable
  18. iddqd4
    Feb 11, 2018
    8
    Второй эпизод серии шутеров от первого лица Serious Sam. Тех же щей, да погуще влей.
  19. SupaChigga
    Nov 19, 2013
    6
    Single Player/Multi Player (2/2)

    (If the single player is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no multplayer) (If the multiplayer is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no single player) Gameplay (1/2) Visuals/Story (0/2) (If the visuals are better than the story, review this section as if it had no story) (If the story is    Single Player/Multi Player (2/2)

    (If the single player is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no multplayer) (If the multiplayer is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no single player)

    Gameplay (1/2)

    Visuals/Story (0/2)

    (If the visuals are better than the story, review this section as if it had no story) (If the story is better than the visuals, review this section as if the visuals didn’t matter)

    Accessibility/Longevity (1/2)

    (Review this section only on Accessibility if the game has no longevity) (Review this section only on longevity if the game isn’t accessible)

    Pricing (2/2)

    Wildcard (0)

    This is a guideline for how to properly review games. Many reviewers like to get a “feel” for a game, and arbitrarily give a game a score that they believe it deserves. This results in wildly different scores between different reviewers, and vastly different scores between similar games. This guideline addresses these problems and scores games fairly and consistently. This guideline also gives scores that are usually similar to the metacritic score.

    The review score is based out of 10 points. There are no “half” or 0.5 increments. It is impossible to have a score above 10 or below 0. The review score will change as the game gets new dlc, drops in price, or if more secrets are found through the game increasing its appeal.

    The scoring is split into 6 sections. The first five sections can add a possible 2 points to the final score. The first 5 sections are Single Player/Multi Player, Gameplay, Visuals/Story, Accessibility/Longevity, and Pricing.

    Notice that 3 of these sections have two parts. These particular sections will be scored based on the stronger part of the game of the two. For example, if a game has a lousy single player campaign, but an excellent multiplayer component, that section will be based solely on the multiplayer as if the single player did not exist. This allows games to be based on their own merits, as many unnecessary features are shoehorned into video games by publishers to reach a “feature quota”. Games that excel in both areas of a section don’t receive should be noted in the written review, but cannot increase the score past 2 in that section. However, it can be taken into account in the final section

    The final section can add 1, add 0, or subtract 1 to the final score. This final section is the “wildcard” section. This section is for how the reviewer “feels” about the game, but limits this only to this section, rather than the entire 10 point review. This section can include any positive or negative point that was not covered in the previous 5 sections.    … Expand
  20. Rizwan
    Oct 3, 2014
    10
    Yep another great Serious Sam game. Better than first encounter. Awesome fun. Its just great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thousands of enemies tons of weapons.. No cover to take. Just Shoot the grunts Our of the field ..!! Aint I right? Seriously This is better than realistic shooter . Its a fun shooter. Its only for pure fun.. So the people who love classic shooters. They must try This one. I loveYep another great Serious Sam game. Better than first encounter. Awesome fun. Its just great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thousands of enemies tons of weapons.. No cover to take. Just Shoot the grunts Our of the field ..!! Aint I right? Seriously This is better than realistic shooter . Its a fun shooter. Its only for pure fun.. So the people who love classic shooters. They must try This one. I love FPS shooters. But the Classic FPS shooters Are my favourite. And as a Serious Sam fan Serious Sam Will always be my favourite shooter .. Go ahead Sam F##k them all who stand in front of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  21. Jedi18
    Sep 12, 2014
    10
    According to me this is the BEST game ever, It is the real shooter and not a spulgargglewee as termed the gr8 yahtzee,It's full of action,humour.....Best shooter yet
  22. tsakiym
    May 12, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything more. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it............................… Expand
  23. Garybaldo
    Jun 2, 2020
    6
    The game is sorta repetitive and frustrating to play, I really don't think it stands up to 2020 standards, no reason to purchase it or play it outside of nostalgia nowadays.
  24. RagingPoet
    Dec 21, 2017
    9
    Serious Sam: the Second Encounter is exactly what you might expect from a good solid sequel: same game but bigger and better.
  25. Al89ex
    Feb 6, 2018
    10
    The game is the best classic shooter. It's great non-stop action. It is worth plaiyng
  26. gold
    Jul 8, 2018
    9
    Музыка на конечных 3 уровнях отличная, графика... на 10 (для 2000-х) . Однозначно лучше 1 части!
  27. XxAlbertoBuzzxX
    Jun 2, 2020
    9
    Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
    ....................................................................
  28. LionGrand
    Jul 1, 2018
    9
    Всё то что было в первой части они оставили добавили новые оружие врагов и т.д тоже самое только в 2 раза лучше
  29. Danil_Shtangeev
    Feb 8, 2019
    8
    Enemy sometimes looked too difficult for me. I've spent many hours playing this game with my brother when I was a child.
  30. slider1983
    Sep 15, 2020
    9
    Serious Sam: The Second Encounter capably delivers an exciting conclusion to the first part of the game. Fair to say it’s bursting with ideas compared to The First Encounter. With this game Croteam get to shine; The Second Encounter by far one of their best moments as a company. It offers action and thrills in equal measure although this time there seems to be an emphasis on humour. As aSerious Sam: The Second Encounter capably delivers an exciting conclusion to the first part of the game. Fair to say it’s bursting with ideas compared to The First Encounter. With this game Croteam get to shine; The Second Encounter by far one of their best moments as a company. It offers action and thrills in equal measure although this time there seems to be an emphasis on humour. As a combined whole Serious Sam’s adventures through time are too enjoyable to pass up. I'm sure there are deeper FPS games out there yet you could do worse than spend an afternoon entering the crazy universe of The Second Encounter. Fun, fun, fun no doubt about it so make sure to buy it now.… Expand
  31. ProfAmateur
    Dec 28, 2021
    10
    Never played such a good title as a free CD-Copy :) Thx Croteam for this one ;) - I paid for every SS-Title after this one, i swear!
  32. Jarpeka
    Nov 20, 2021
    10
    Лучший Сэм Стоун. Если не играли, то пройдите обязательно. Главное не зовите гальперова из сторгаме. Лучше позовите булджатя.
  33. StarkAgentos
    May 25, 2022
    4
    Игра почти ничем не отличается от первой части. Сюжетных катсцен вообще нет.
  34. BogdanZelinschi
    Dec 12, 2021
    10
    Это просто ошуенно) Шаг вперед во сравнению с первым пришествием, при этом с виду всё почти то же самое. Локации натурально стали километром длиной, их стало больше, и они стало наааамного разнообразней. Тут тебе и горы южной америки, и средневековый городок, зимний городок, и другие. Левел дизайн прокачали, теперь появились на минуточку заигрывания с гравитацией, тебя может пинать по всейЭто просто ошуенно) Шаг вперед во сравнению с первым пришествием, при этом с виду всё почти то же самое. Локации натурально стали километром длиной, их стало больше, и они стало наааамного разнообразней. Тут тебе и горы южной америки, и средневековый городок, зимний городок, и другие. Левел дизайн прокачали, теперь появились на минуточку заигрывания с гравитацией, тебя может пинать по всей комнате, как попрыгунчика, ты сможешь даже по стенам лазить. Одна из лучших игр впринципе, за всю историю жанра… Expand
  35. KinimodYunmi
    Aug 6, 2023
    8
    Das macht spaß, ist irgendwie voll witzig =)
    Das macht spaß, ist irgendwie voll witzig =)
  36. LT_Gruber
    Jan 13, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Glorious sequel to an already perfect game.

    Serious Sam: The Second Encounter impressed me even more than the first game.

    In the Second encounter, you start in Sierra Chiapas, in ancient Mayan territory. Your ship is wrecked and not usable anymore. Luckily, you learn about a back-up ship, located in another world. You need to hop between two portals to reach this ancient world and fight your way through the Mayan lands and towns, Ancient Persia and eventually, ancient Poland. On your journey you are again hindered by even more hordes of Mentals soldiers and three big fat bosses that guard the portals. In the end, you fight the sorcerer Mordekai, who guards the Holy Grail itself. After you whoop his ass, you sarcastically confess your sins in the Grand Cathedral about what you are going to do to Mental when you find him and then fly away in the back-up ship.

    In Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, you got some new weapons, new enemies and unique bosses. You can now snipe enemies with the Raptor rifle, burn Gnaars to a crisp with the flamethrower and slice and dice rocketeers with a freaking chainsaw. The game now features big demon enemies that throw homing fireballs at you, a muscular bear of a man with a pumpkin for a head and skinless alien troopers that shoot pulse lasers at you.

    Like the First Encounter, I loved all the entries in Netricsa of new weapons, encountered enemies and locations that you visited. You read how certain enemies came to pass, how they joined Mental and how they are best killed.

    The graphics and animations are the same as Serious Sam: The First encounter. In the Second Encounter however, new locations and different landscapes have been implemented like volcanos, snowy mountains and temples with mirror like floors. When I compared this to the endless sand, deserts and sandstone walls from the first game, it really looked better in my opinion.

    The music tracks in this game are also really improved in comparison with the first game. Although the First Encounter had some pretty solid tracks, in the Second Encounter, the music blew me away. It rocks and the boss battles where ten times more epic thanks to it.

    Speaking off bosses, in the First Encounter, the only “original” boss was Ugh Zan IV. The rest were enlarged versions of existing enemies. In Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, you got three unique bosses, each with completely different move sets and tactics. I especially liked the Exotech Larva.

    In Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, you got a lot more puzzles, platforming and traps that ends your existence in a second. Combine this with the endless hordes of enemies that charge toward you, and you got a completely different and challenging experience.

    The multiplayer is still as good as the first game and features some new, cool maps.

    A (maybe) funny little personal side story is that I seriously thought that the Gold Edition of Serious Sam, that I owned as a small kid, where two identical copies of the First Encounter and that this was the only game. My English was terrible back then so I could not understand the concept of a 2 in 1 gold edition yet. When my First Encounter CD was broken, I popped in the second disk and was greeted with an entirely new game. It is that kind of surprise and mind-blowing joy and happiness that I sometimes miss today as a grown as man.

    In conclusion, again, I can only praise this game. It is a piece of perfection and left a lot of good memories that last forever.

    Definitely recommend this awesome game.    … Expand
  37. farrrullll
    Jan 27, 2023
    8
    Serious Sam The Second Encounter Serious Sam The Second Encounter Serious Sam The Second Encounter
  38. BARAO555
    Jun 17, 2023
    8
    sequel of the game that made a man that im right now. this game had time for me always when my dad didnt pure joy and fun to play

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PC Game of 2002
20
#20 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Gamers' Temple
    93
    Imaginative levels, great graphics, memorable enemies.
    Read full review
  2. Gamezilla!
    87
    At $19.99 and even $9.99 at some places you actually cannot afford to NOT buy this game. It is so impressive graphically and it's such a straight-up fun game.
    Read full review
  3. G4 TV
    40
    Given that all you're doing is shooting everything around you, it's almost essential to give the player a continual sense of progress and achievement by opening up new locales frequently. Otherwise the whole exercise collapses under its own redundancy.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »