Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

 Xbox 360
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

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  • Summary: [Xbox Live Arcade] The legendary Sam "Serious" Stone returns to battle the relentless hordes of Mental's army in glorious high definition on Xbox LIVE Arcade in Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter. Based on the original indie arcade shooter sensation Serious Sam: The First Encounter,[Xbox Live Arcade] The legendary Sam "Serious" Stone returns to battle the relentless hordes of Mental's army in glorious high definition on Xbox LIVE Arcade in Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter. Based on the original indie arcade shooter sensation Serious Sam: The First Encounter, Serious Sam HD features stunningly redesigned visuals, over-the-top action, and intense online co-op for up to four players. [Croteam]… Expand

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Serious Sam Movie 9

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. MS Xbox World
    85
    Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter for the Xbox 360 is a return of a classic. It may seem a little dated by some, but I personally believe that for both newcomers and nostalgic gamers like myself, the HD remake that is now available still provides a wonderful experience in terms of both speed and adrenaline pumping action.
  2. TeamXbox
    78
    Some people won’t get what’s so fun about Serious Sam, preferring the more advanced graphics and realistic action of more modern shooters. But you don’t have to be an old fart to enjoy this classic gaming throwback. Sometimes just shooting stuff without having to solve puzzles or tactically engage an enemy is what we want to do, and for that we will always have Serious Sam.
  3. Official Xbox Magazine
    75
    The enemies are crass, the design is mean, the challenge is unforgiving, and the reward limited. You've been warned. [Mar 2010, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. XboxAddict
    70
    Serious Sam reminds me of a great cult movie hit; the fans get it and love it and the rest don’t see what’s so special or understand. Don’t go in expecting anything innovative, just turn off your brain, blow tons of aliens up and enjoy what a mindless shooter Serious Sam excels at being.
  5. WonderwallWeb
    69
    Serious Sam is a fun game to play through and will appeal to fans on old style shooters, for others though the basic style of it all may be a step too far.
  6. Boomtown
    60
    A simple facelift doesn't disguise the fact that it's still the same old game, so unless you're a newcomer to the series, you might be better off keeping your money.
  7. GameWatcher
    50
    Serious Sam is another unfortunate casualty in this constant cycle of re-releases; it should have stayed in the past with all of the fond memories.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. ColmM
    Jan 13, 2010
    10
    The best throwback of a throwback game ive ever played. But in all "Seriousness" this game is great forget perks cover systems etc this game The best throwback of a throwback game ive ever played. But in all "Seriousness" this game is great forget perks cover systems etc this game reminds us of what was lost a few years back a game about pure fun that is actually fun and doesnt just stand on the title of fun as a point of view or in theory. Its the most refreshing fps experience since realism invaded and conquered the PC and console market with its high budget fist. This and Call of Duty make for a wonderful gaming pair. Loose a few cod rounds let some serious steam off with Serious Sam HD worth every penny (did I mention its cheap?)… Expand
  2. AlexP
    Jan 17, 2010
    10
    A perfect remake. Visual: 10/10 -- Graphics that easily beat full-priced titles such as Red Faction, Lego Star Wars, Frontlines: Fuel of War, A perfect remake. Visual: 10/10 -- Graphics that easily beat full-priced titles such as Red Faction, Lego Star Wars, Frontlines: Fuel of War, and The Outfit. For $15. There are effect you will only see in this game, such as the shadow of a palm tree being held in the dust as it settles in the air. Pools of blood from settled corpses. Enemies being blow apart in variant, gratuitously violent fashion. Rag doll effects as you destroy enemies everywhere. Hi resolution textures as can only be done on a low polygon world. Waterfall vistas... Sound: 9/10 -- Active switching from ambient music to action music? Check. Perfect sounds for all guns? Check. Satisfying grunts of pain from your slaughtered enemies? Check. Gameplay: 10/10 -- A pure action shooter at heart, making no disguises, and no compromises. While it introduces itself as a seemingly brainless shooter, wide variety of enemies all require different tactics. Health is limited, no waiting for a few seconds to get to full health, how you do in this battle will be important for how you do in the next one. The intensity never lets up, and that is what divides in from all the more forgiving 360 games, it actually couldn't be played on Serious on Xbox Live by a 10 year old. Multiplayer: 10/10 -- As good as it is in single player, this game is built to take coop on to you customized liking. Want tougher enemies that will need teamwork to bring down? Do it. Want to play on the hardest difficulty setting with limited lives and unlimited ammunition? Go ahead. It's up to you. No "me-too" deathmatch options here, this Seriously isn't what this game is about. Final verdict: Better graphics than many off-the-shelf titles, great sound, incredible single player fun that you can invite your friends to. If you like Left for Dead, you will love Serious Sam, and by the way, SS has a campaign of 12 hours, not 3 and half.… Expand
  4. Dan
    Jan 19, 2010
    10
    This game is a pure joy to play. If you've played the original back in 2001 there's nothing new to be found here but damn is it This game is a pure joy to play. If you've played the original back in 2001 there's nothing new to be found here but damn is it fun. The graphics are beautifully updated and the addition of ragdoll physics make the gameplay much more entertaining. Who doesn't want to kill thousands of enemies in brief amounts of time with awesome weapons? If you like more "serious" shooters, stay clear of serious sam, but if you're looking for an old school shooter quality and charm game look no further than serious sam HD. An awesome remake.… Expand
  5. rolfo
    Jan 21, 2010
    10
    Who needs Borderlands? Play this online with 4 friends and you will have a blast! Even single player totaly rocks! Beutifull with great sound Who needs Borderlands? Play this online with 4 friends and you will have a blast! Even single player totaly rocks! Beutifull with great sound this is one of the best arcade games yet! Worth every mp! Had it included Second encounter I would gladly had paid full retail price!… Expand
  6. JoeyM
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    People are taking this game way too seriously with respects to high end realism and fancy graphics. This is a classic FPS game that is meant People are taking this game way too seriously with respects to high end realism and fancy graphics. This is a classic FPS game that is meant to be played with over the top action, gore, and little to no thinking involved. This game is great for those who need a break from the stresses of COD and other realistic shooters. Great game at a great cost. Did I mention your friends can get in on the action with you with 4 player co-op?… Expand
  7. spockivi
    Mar 10, 2023
    9
    This game is a pure joy to play. If you've played the original back in 2001 there's nothing new to be found here but damn is it fun. TheThis game is a pure joy to play. If you've played the original back in 2001 there's nothing new to be found here but damn is it fun. The graphics are beautifully updated and the addition of ragdoll physics make the gameplay much more entertaining.… Expand

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