Serious Sam: Next Encounter

 PlayStation 2
Serious Sam: Next Encounter Image
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

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  • Summary: Serious Sam: Next Encounter finds Sam gearing up once again to defend the Earth from Mental and his limitless extra-terrestrial hordes. Sam is launched back in time to rid the alien scum from more than 40 levels spread throughout three beautifully rendered, massive new time periods AncientSerious Sam: Next Encounter finds Sam gearing up once again to defend the Earth from Mental and his limitless extra-terrestrial hordes. Sam is launched back in time to rid the alien scum from more than 40 levels spread throughout three beautifully rendered, massive new time periods Ancient Rome, Feudal China and legendary Atlantis. For the first time ever, Sam will have access to vehicles to help him mow down the enemies, and of course he¹ll be armed to the teeth with an arsenal that contains old favorites and some high-powered new additions. Throughout it all, Serious Sam: Next Encounter maintains the same hilarious and high speed shoot-em-up action that fans have come to love, while introducing loads of new gameplay to keep old hands and newcomers alike coming back for more. [Take 2 Interactive]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. PSX Nation
    90
    While the single player game is basic and ultimately boring, the game more than makes up for that with its online play.
  2. Game Informer
    78
    Hidden levels, new features, and cheats all await the dedicated gamer. However, it will take a seriously patient player to not only finish the game, but to go back and earn the gold medals. [May 2004, p.94]
  3. GameZone
    71
    The overall concept is repetitive (walk in area, door shuts, tons of monsters come at you until all of them are dead), but the furious action keeps the game interesting.
  4. GameSpot
    65
    If you can forgive the game's dated-looking graphics, its rather basic gameplay model, and its comparative level of ease--which is, admittedly, a lot to forgive--you can have a good time with Serious Sam: Next Encounter.
  5. Play.tm
    60
    It is cheap and cheerful but it ultimately fails to do itself justice on the PS2.
  6. Game Chronicles
    58
    If you’re sitting at home in your ripped jeans, watching "Army of Darkness" on VHS and have a crumpled Jackson in your pocket, this game is not only calling you, it’s running at you, screaming with a hissing bomb in its hands.
  7. Thunderbolt
    30
    The game is a real mess, with shoddy graphics, a badly constructed and executed plot, repetitive and flawed gameplay, bland multiplayer elements and a serious lack of atmosphere.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. HenryS.
    May 7, 2004
    10
    I can have more fun playing a game that is $20 and has not that great graphics than playing a game that costs $50 and has no fun at all....I can have more fun playing a game that is $20 and has not that great graphics than playing a game that costs $50 and has no fun at all.... serous sam is a great game and it is definitely worth it.… Expand
  2. SamSerious
    Apr 6, 2006
    10
    Great game. One of the best FPS games. Great atmosphere with shooting extasy. "Sam I'm!"
  4. SamSerious
    Apr 6, 2006
    10
    Great game. One of the best FPS games. Great atmosphere with shooting extasy. "Sam I'm!"
  5. XERO
    May 3, 2004
    9
    You will have more than $20.00 woth of FUN playing this...forget state of the art grafx...let's have more state of the art fun....
  6. EfeB.
    Jul 14, 2006
    8
    Games have evolved for sure. first we had pong...and now we are shooting flying green monsters with uzis, for the only reason so we can shootGames have evolved for sure. first we had pong...and now we are shooting flying green monsters with uzis, for the only reason so we can shoot more on the next level.… Expand
  7. BillA.
    May 18, 2004
    8
    For it's overall simplistic, doom-like appeal?, you can't beat this game for the price, you also have plenty of Ammo & health at For it's overall simplistic, doom-like appeal?, you can't beat this game for the price, you also have plenty of Ammo & health at your disposal, it won't win any awars but it's damn fun to play and my thumb got overworked on level 2.… Expand
  8. grihajedy
    Aug 8, 2022
    6
    Not yet Serious Sam 2, but not Serious Sam 1,
    cutscenes have become humorous, but there are very few of them, the graphics are more cartoony,    Not yet Serious Sam 2, but not Serious Sam 1,
    cutscenes have become humorous, but there are very few of them, the graphics are more cartoony, but not too much,
    Only 1 new weapon - laser beam, given at the end,
    According to the locations, these are all sorts of mountains and Asian-style temples, at the end - it`s spaceship,
    OK, but nothing memorable
    The same can be said for the rest of the game.
    I did not notice any special specifics for playing on a joystick, except for auto-aim and a slightly larger number of arenas,
    Monster designs are bad, unmemorable, there are 2 middle bosses and a very bad final boss, they let you ride the hammer 2 more times,
    I, as a fan of the series, completed it, but I do not recommend to others.
    /
    Ещё не Serious Sam 2, уже не Serious Sam 1,
    катсцены стали юморными, но их очень мало, графика более мультяшная, но не слишком,
    Только 1 новое оружие - лазерный луч, даётся в конце,
    По локациям это всякие горы и храмы азиатского стиля, в конце космический корабль,
    Нормально, но ничего запоминающегося,
    Тоже самое можно сказать про всю остальную игру,
    Никакой особой специфики для игры на джойстике, кроме автоаима и чуть большего количества арен, я не заметил,
    Дизайны монстров плохи, незапоминающиеся, есть 2 средних босса и очень плохой финальный босс, 2 раза дают покататься на машинке ещё,
    Я, как фанат серии, прошёл, но другим не советую, проходной ширпотреб    … Expand

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Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004