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Platform: Xbox

Developer: Gotham Games

Publisher: Take 2

Genre: Action

ETA: Fall 2002  

Serious Sam

When Serious Sam (SS) appeared on the PC it was lauded with praise and many nostalgia-filled write ups comparing it to the first two Doom games.  Well, it’s coming to Xbox and it looks great; even though I wouldn’t say it has “graphics so crisp and clear, you’ll need to wear sun-block while battling your way through the desert” as the official release does.

If you thought Halo was intense, you’re going to get blown away by SS – anyone that has played the PC version will tell you.  Some might say the action grows repetitive, but with the kind of visuals you get, the sarcastic one-liners from “Serious” Sam Stone – sent back in time to foil an alien plot – and the adrenaline rush, there’s enough in SS to avoid boredom.

Graphics aside, SS is all about the action.  From beginning to end there never seemed to be more than 30 seconds where Sam wasn’t facing off against multiple enemies attacking from every angle.  The Xbox version boasts 36 levels, a huge number of onscreen enemies, 100 different creatures, incorporates elements from SS’s semi-sequel, The Second Encounter, and is said to have better control.  I’ll believe all that except the last point.  I haven’t played a console game yet that hasn’t suffered (to varying degrees) from a lack of mouse and keyboard control.  But I won’t pre-judge – I’m sure the control will be good, just not the same as playing the PC version.

Multiplayer will feature up to four-player split screen games, presumably including the classics like Capture the Flag and Deathmatch.  Xbox Live support?  No mention of it but it's a definite possibility.

I’m not exactly sure what else to say about Serious Sam.  Read our PC review if you like or just look at the screenshots as you drink your tropical beverage and put on your shades.

Life will get a whole lot more serious this Fall.

- Omni

(September 29, 2002)