Serious Sam: The First Encounter vs Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Serious Sam: The First Encounter is a classic first‑person shooter that delivers relentless action across sprawling, open arenas. Developed by Croteam, the game challenges players to survive wave after wave of bizarre enemies with a massive arsenal of weapons. The title features both single‑player and multiplayer modes, including co‑operative play, allowing friends to team up and tackle the chaos together. Its sci‑fi setting and over‑the‑top combat have made it a beloved indie shooter since its 2001 release.
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter is the high‑octane sequel to the original classic, delivering relentless action with hordes of enemies across sprawling, sci‑fi arenas. Developed by Croteam and published by Gathering of Developers, the game blends humor, chaos, and classic FPS mechanics for an unforgettable experience. The title features both single‑player and robust multiplayer modes, including co‑operative play and split‑screen support, allowing friends to tackle the mayhem together on PC. Its retro‑style graphics and over‑the‑top weaponry have earned it a lasting reputation among shooter enthusiasts.
- Non‑stop, high‑octane action
- Large variety of weapons
- Robust co‑op multiplayer
- Engaging retro aesthetic
- Non‑stop, adrenaline‑filled action
- Robust local co‑op and split‑screen support
- Huge variety of weapons and enemies
- Highly replayable with multiple modes
- Limited narrative depth
- Graphics may feel dated to modern players
- No official console ports
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Limited online multiplayer features
- No official mod support
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Serious Sam: The First Encounter
View all →Fast‑paced, over‑the‑top shooter that pits Sam against endless alien hordes.
Alternatives to Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
View all →Fast‑paced, retro‑style shooter that pits you against endless alien hordes.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSerious Sam: The Second Encounter offers better value, higher critical praise, and local split‑screen co‑op, while The First Encounter provides a richer online co‑op experience at a higher price.
Key differences
- •Price: $19.99 (B) vs $39.99 (A)
- •Critic score: 91/100 (B) vs 83/100 (A)
- •Split‑screen local co‑op supported only in B
- •B includes deathmatch multiplayer mode; A does not
- •A lists multiple difficulty settings; B does not specify
Gameplay & fun factor
Higher critic score (91) and larger weapon arsenal suggest more engaging action.
Platform availability
Both are PC‑only with no console ports.
Price & value
B costs half as much ($19.99) while offering comparable features.
Multiplayer / co‑op
B adds local split‑screen co‑op and deathmatch mode; A only online co‑op.
Content & replayability
B provides varied single‑player levels, multiple modes, and higher critic rating.
Difficulty & accessibility
A explicitly mentions multiple difficulty settings; B does not.
Graphics & performance
Both have dated graphics; B notes high frame rates, A notes modern lighting on retro style.
Choose Serious Sam: The First Encounter if…
Buyers who prioritize online co‑op and retro aesthetic and don't mind paying more.
Choose Serious Sam: The Second Encounter if…
Buyers on a budget who want split‑screen local co‑op, higher replay value, and better reviews.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter costs $19.99, while The First Encounter costs $39.99.
Do either games support split‑screen co‑op?
Only The Second Encounter supports up to four players in local split‑screen co‑op.
Which title has higher critical reception?
The Second Encounter received a critic score of 91/100, compared to 83/100 for The First Encounter.