It's been 24 years since Serious Sam: The Second Encounter came out, and now Croteam is finally picking up where that game left off. Serious Sam: The Third Encounter is a new entry in the classic FPS series, bringing Sam Stone back for another fight against Mental's army.
Announced by Croteam and publisher Devolver Digital, the new shooter is in development for PC. There's no release date yet, but the first teaser gives fans an early look at what's coming.
A Direct Sequel to The Second Encounter
Despite the name, The Third Encounter isn't a sequel to Serious Sam 3: BFE. Instead, it continues the story of 2002's Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, taking Sam's fight against Mental in a new direction.
This time, Sam is heading straight for the heart of Mental's forces. Croteam describes the game as a proper continuation of the earlier story, rather than another prequel or spin-off.
That's good news for anyone who has been waiting to see the original storyline move forward again. The series has had several releases since The Second Encounter, but this one is going back to that particular point in Sam's story.
Where Does Serious Sam: The Third Encounter Fit in the Series?
The new game’s title can be a little confusing, especially since Serious Sam 3 and Serious Sam 4 already exist. Here’s a quick overview of the main games and where the new entry fits in.
The original adventure.
Continues the original story.
A later entry in the series.
A prequel to The First Encounter.
Another entry in the series.
A direct continuation of The Second Encounter.
Classic Serious Sam Action Returns
If you played the older games, you probably know what to expect: lots of enemies, big weapons and very little time to stand still.
Croteam promises a return to the series' fast-paced arcade shooting, with huge enemy hordes, new alien worlds and plenty of firepower. Sam's familiar weapons will return alongside new additions, giving players more ways to deal with Mental's army.
The developers also mention strange planets, fortresses and hostile environments. The announcement doesn't reveal much about individual levels or specific weapons yet, so we'll have to wait for a closer look at the gameplay.
You Can Play Alone or in Co-op
Serious Sam: The Third Encounter will support both single-player and co-op. That means you can take on Mental's forces alone or team up with friends for some chaotic shooting.
The Steam page also lists online co-op and shared or split-screen play. It's a welcome addition for anyone who prefers blasting through a shooter with someone else rather than going solo.
When Does Serious Sam: The Third Encounter Come Out?
There's no confirmed release date or release window at the moment. The game is still in early development, and Croteam hasn't announced when players will be able to get their hands on it.
For now, Serious Sam: The Third Encounter is confirmed for PC via Steam. You can add it to your Steam wishlist if you want to keep an eye on future announcements.
It's still early days, but a direct continuation of The Second Encounter is an exciting prospect for fans of old-school shooters. Hopefully, Croteam will show more gameplay soon.
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Webmastahhh is the creator of Mastanet, a gaming and technology website where he shares news, reviews, guides and personal insights about games, hardware, software and the future of digital entertainment.
