One of the most impressive features of the Serious engine is the sheer number of models it can handle at one time without any noticeable slowdown.
The creature designs themselves would certainly strike terror in the heart of even the heartiest of stock, and you'll be trembling once you meet your first four-armed, fireball-shooting green demon. Creature models aren't the best we've ever seen, but they're nothing to poo-poo on either. The expansive outdoor levels are particularly nice looking, alight with a blaring sun and sporting an impressive although somewhat overused lens flare. Unlike a lot of the dark, drab shooters we've played in recent years, Serious Sam beckons back to the days of the colorful Doom. And if you're up to the challenge, you can always use the included editing tools to make your own levels for the game with the included editor.Ĭroatia-based Croteam developed their own proprietary engine for Serious Sam - the Serious engine - and it looks and performs great. There's certainly a nice flow to the levels and, although the same tricks are employed again and again, they never seem to get old because there's hardly any time to do any really analyzing while you're playing the game.you're going to be way too busy blasting your way out of a horde of demon spawn. Remember, this game is all about constant action, not searching aimlessly for the next button or key.although there are plenty of secrets to find in each level. The Egyptian-influenced levels are linear, but they're not designed for you to go searching about. Level design is nothing spectacular, but it works for the game.
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NETRICSA will update you when you encounter something new, so it's a handy resource to find out what your opponent's strengths and weaknesses are without having to leave the game.
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There's even a ticker that keeps score while you play, and when's the last time you saw a score counter in a game? One inventive touch to the interface is the NETRICSA system, which acts as a computerized manual of sorts, giving you data about that giant red scorpion who's aiming a chaingun at your head or that shiny new cannon you just found. There's nothing too intricate here - just your basic menu system - which gives Serious Sam even more of a retro feel. Ammo and power-ups are also plentiful, which is a good thing since you'll barely have time to take three steps before you run into the next horde of baddies.Īll of this furious gameplay is wrapped in a simple yet effective interface. The arsenal may not be very unique, but it's certainly gratifying and extensive. Weapons range from the simple knife and pistol to the more powerful rocket launcher and SBC cannon, and of course there's the ever-satisfying shotgun.
Serious Sam is all about heavy firepower and an endless stream of demented, horrific beasts whose only purpose is to make sure you don't make it to that door at the end of the hall.Įvery shooter needs an ample arsenal, and Serious Sam doesn't disappoint. Don't expect to find any elaborate puzzles to solve or any complex storyline to follow. There's hardly a second of gameplay where you're not fighting off some demonic nasty.or rather two-dozen at one time. Serious Sam owes serious allegiance to the days when action was king and "plot" was a paragraph in the manual. Those of you who are into pure action shooters will find that Serious Sam is a non-stop blast. First of all, let me tell you, if you're not an action gamer, Serious Sam isn't going to be for you.