Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter

This is the second half of Serious Sam 1. Compared to the First Encounter, this has more environments, more enemy types, more weapons, more gimmicks and new powerups. Once you know how to use the new weapons, this game becomes much easier than the first one. You could say it is more fair/balanced.
There is an HD version of this game which looks better but lacks a few gravity gimmick rooms, and the sounds are changed.

Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter is the kind of first-person shooter that doesn’t waste time with introductions or long-winded storytelling. Developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital, it follows directly after the events of The First Encounter and doubles down on what the series is known for: massive open arenas, endless waves of enemies, and an arsenal of over-the-top weapons designed for pure chaotic fun. The game doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel but instead refines and expands on what made its predecessor so enjoyable, creating a relentless experience where movement, reflexes, and constant firepower are the keys to survival.
The environments are a big part of what keeps the game feeling fresh, despite its straightforward design. Players battle across three main themed settings: lush South American ruins filled with Mayan architecture, ancient Mesopotamian deserts with temples and open plains, and medieval castles and villages in Europe. Each setting has a distinct visual identity that makes the journey feel like an epic world-spanning adventure. Even though the graphics are dated by modern standards, there is a charm in their bold colors and sheer scale. The engine was designed to handle dozens of enemies on screen at once without slowing down, and it still holds up well, making the spectacle of hundreds of projectiles and creatures on screen both thrilling and overwhelming in the best way.
Combat is the centerpiece of the experience, and it is where the game shines brightest. The pacing is fast, the arenas are large, and the enemy variety is wide enough to keep you on your toes. Familiar foes return from the first game, including the iconic headless kamikazes, but The Second Encounter also introduces new monsters and boss encounters that push the challenge even further. To keep up, the arsenal is expanded with additions like the flamethrower, sniper rifle, and even a chainsaw, alongside returning favorites like the rocket launcher, minigun, and the powerful cannon. The game also throws in traps and environmental hazards to shake up the formula, ensuring that not every battle is simply about circling and shooting.
Audio design matches the intensity of the action. The soundtrack is dynamic, with themes that shift from calm exploration to pounding battle tracks as soon as enemies appear, creating a rhythm that perfectly mirrors the gameplay loop. The sound effects are equally impactful, from the shrieks of kamikazes charging in the distance to the satisfying boom of the rocket launcher. Sam’s one-liners add a layer of humor that keeps the tone lighthearted despite the apocalyptic scale of the battles. The writing is intentionally campy and tongue-in-cheek, leaning into the absurdity rather than taking itself seriously.
The game does not shy away from difficulty, and this can be both a strength and a weakness. For veterans of old-school shooters, the intensity is exactly what makes the experience rewarding, but for newcomers the sheer volume of enemies and the length of certain battles can feel overwhelming. The repetition of fighting wave after wave across large arenas may also wear thin for players who prefer more varied mission structures or deeper storytelling. Still, the level design often mitigates this by offering secrets, hidden paths, and power-ups that encourage exploration and replayability.
Multiplayer is one of the most enduring features of The Second Encounter. Cooperative play for the entire campaign supports a large number of players, making the already chaotic battles even more outrageous. Versus modes like deathmatch and scorematch give additional longevity, and the inclusion of split-screen options and modding tools such as the Serious Editor broaden the ways players can enjoy the game. This emphasis on community and replay value helped the game maintain its popularity long after release and ensures it still has an audience today.
Critical reception both at launch and in modern times reflects the game’s strengths. While the story is little more than a thin thread to string the action together, critics and players alike praised the scale of the environments, the nonstop action, and the sheer joy of mowing down waves of enemies with an ever-expanding arsenal. On Steam, the game continues to hold a highly positive reputation, with players praising its pure focus on fun and its ability to deliver an experience that few modern shooters attempt.
Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter is not a game for those looking for narrative depth, cinematic presentation, or tactical realism. Instead, it is a celebration of speed, chaos, and excess, a shooter that puts the emphasis squarely on action and embraces its absurdity without apology. Its dated visuals and simple story are far outweighed by its energetic design, creative level settings, and the sheer satisfaction of surviving impossible odds. Even today, it remains a standout in the genre for players who want to lose themselves in the kind of relentless, old-school action that never goes out of style.
Rating: 9/10

More levels, more weapons, more monsters — everything louder, crazier, and bigger than the first game.
This is peak old-school FPS: nonstop action, insane enemy swarms, and pure fun with friends.

i love serious sam since i was a kid from the age of blockbuster video easy i would rent this game out nearly every chance i had on the xbox and to this day i still love coming back to the games when i get a the chance highly recommand all the old sam games and some of the new ones

Serious Sam TSE is a great expansion to the original. Had tons of fun playing it. Totally recommend playing the original version rather than its remastered counterpart. Original looks better and has more charm overall in my opinion. Totally fun game, even after two decades.

More of the first game, same gameplay. Enjoyable to hop on and run through levels once in a while but not really anything special these days considering the library of similar games. Nothing to dislike about it though

Over decades of of playing so many games, you'll end up with a handful that you never forget. Serious Sam is one of those games for me , and finding the whole series on Steam didn't let me down. If only a few more Devs from around 98 would follow suit. Are you hearing me Rat Bag , Slide in with some Power.