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Serious Sam: The First Encounter

2001 Croteam First-person shooter Updated 25 Jul 2026

Serious Sam: The First Encounter is a 2001 first-person shooter developed by the Croatian studio Croteam, a joyfully over-the-top throwback to the frantic action of early shooters. Players battle through ancient Egyptian temples and ruins as wisecracking hero Sam Stone against overwhelming waves of alien enemies from Mental's horde.

The game embraced pure chaos, pitting the player against enormous swarms of memorable foes, such as the screaming headless kamikaze bombers who charge relentlessly, across vast open arenas that demanded constant movement, strafing, and clever use of a powerful arsenal that ranged from a minigun to a cannon. Built on Croteam's own Serious Engine, which rendered huge numbers of enemies at once, its tongue-in-cheek humour and relentless, unpretentious action made it an instant favourite, helped along by a low budget price.

Serious Sam launched a long-running and beloved series that has stayed true to its chaotic roots. The original remains available on digital storefronts, often bundled in an enhanced HD form, still delivering its trademark mayhem.

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Modern alternatives to Serious Sam: The First Encounter, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.

Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.

Modern alternatives to Serious Sam: The First Encounter compared: price, Steam Deck rating and the devices each one runs on.
Alternative	Price	Steam Deck	Runs on
DUSK Indie	€ 19,50	Steam Deck Verified	PC, PlayStation, Switch
Serious Sam 4	€ 39,99	Steam Deck Verified	PC, PlayStation, Xbox
HROT Indie	€ 16,79	Steam Deck Playable	PC