Serious Sam 4

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,305 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Serious Sam 4 Game Cover
Seriously, I’m surprised it’s not called Serious Sam Zero.
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In Serious Sam 4, humanity faces a brutal invasion by Mental's hordes, and Earth Defense Force, led by Sam "Serious" Stone, is humanity's last hope. This action-packed prequel to the Serious Sam series introduces new features while retaining the classic over-the-top formula, promising intense combat against vast enemy forces. The Digital Deluxe Edition adds exclusive weapon skins, soundtrack, and digital art book for a richer experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,305 reviews
story244 positive mentions
optimization287 negative mentions
  • The game features a large variety of weapons and gadgets, providing satisfying combat mechanics.
  • The humor and one-liners from Sam are entertaining, adding to the overall fun of the game.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and chaotic, making it enjoyable for fans of the series.
  • The game suffers from poor optimization, with frequent stuttering and texture pop-in issues.
  • The level design is often criticized for being too large and empty, leading to tedious exploration.
  • The story and character dialogue are considered weak and cringeworthy, detracting from the overall experience.
  • story1,235 mentions

    The story in "Serious Sam 4" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it is often forgettable and serves primarily as a backdrop for the game's action. While some appreciate the attempt to introduce more narrative elements and character development, others feel that the writing is cheesy and the plot lacks depth, often resorting to cliché humor reminiscent of B-movie tropes. Overall, players generally agree that the gameplay remains the main draw, with the story being secondary and not a significant reason to engage with the game.

    • “The story and writing are hilariously over-the-top, like the best kind of terrible action movie.”
    • “The fourth part of Serious Sam helped me relive my childhood and truly capture the nostalgia of that time :) as for the game itself, it's the same brutal action-packed shooter, where Sam's character is further developed through the storyline and dialogues with a touch of 'coolness'.”
    • “The story is surprisingly engaging for a Serious Sam game as well, taking us to fully-realized lands beyond the usual Egyptian setting.”
    • “The story is a mess, kinda.”
    • “The story, dialogue, and characters are terrible, and I seriously couldn't care less about them.”
    • “The story was at best tedious, at worst unbearable.”
  • graphics1,078 mentions

    The graphics of Serious Sam 4 have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear outdated and reminiscent of earlier titles in the series, particularly Serious Sam 3. While some appreciate the vibrant environments and improved visual effects, others criticize the numerous graphical glitches, poor optimization, and inconsistent art style that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the game offers some visually appealing moments, it struggles with performance issues and lacks the polish expected from a modern release.

    • “This fourth iteration only builds that kingdom higher with flawless gameplay, loads of stashed secrets, campy yet entertaining humor, and stunning maps and graphics.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, all those NPCs spawned right in front of your eyes will really need a strong GPU.”
    • “The graphics look beautiful and can be considered next-gen.”
    • “The graphics look old and the humor is dry.”
    • “Never have I really imagined I would be super sleepy when playing a Serious Sam game... even at the utmost ultra settings everything bumped up, it looks like something from 2013... and that's just the graphics side of things!”
    • “The graphics are poor and glitchy, yet very hardware-demanding.”
  • gameplay966 mentions

    The gameplay of Serious Sam 4 is characterized by its classic run-and-gun mechanics, delivering fast-paced, chaotic action that fans of the series have come to expect. While many players appreciate the introduction of new features like dual-wielding and a skill tree, some criticize the game for its technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and reliance on outdated mechanics. Overall, the core gameplay remains engaging and fun, particularly for those who enjoy the franchise's signature style, despite some inconsistencies and performance problems.

    • “At its core, Serious Sam 4 delivers the same bullet-hell, run-and-gun gameplay the series is known for.”
    • “The gameplay is a glorious homage to the golden age of first-person shooters.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, fluid, and very fun.”
    • “The gameplay is a major step down from its predecessors both technically (stutters and micro-freezes, frequent fps drops, texture pop-ins, shadows flickering, laughable character animations) and gameplay-wise (level design and pace were really disappointing).”
    • “Boring environments, bland story, bad graphics, repetitive gameplay, and bugs galore... as a fan of the series, I am very disappointed.”
    • “The gameplay is exactly the same if not worse than every other entry in the franchise.”
  • optimization874 mentions

    The optimization of Serious Sam 4 has been widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues such as frequent frame drops, stuttering, and long loading times, even on high-end hardware. Many users noted that the game's graphics do not justify its poor performance, leading to frustration during gameplay. Despite some patches improving stability, the consensus remains that the game requires significant optimization to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The performance got a lot better with patches, no hitches at all.”
    • “Despite some technical issues like bugs or optimization problems, Serious Sam 4 is still a great game and my second favorite installment of the series.”
    • “If the devs keep patching it up this will run smoothly even with all the action on the screen.”
    • “The most disappointing thing about this game is its technical performance: you get frame drops on a decent PC, and that might displease a lot of people.”
    • “Despite the patches, it is still very glitchy and unpolished; the optimization is terrible and performance is all over the place.”
    • “The game looks good, but I can understand why people would think it's outdated, despite the atrocious optimization and file size.”
  • music541 mentions

    The music in "Serious Sam 4" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack composed by Damjan Mravunac for its energetic and epic qualities, particularly during combat sequences. While some tracks are considered memorable and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others are criticized for being repetitive or generic, leading to a lack of distinctiveness compared to earlier titles in the series. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some technical issues with music transitions.

    • “The music is, as usual in Serious Sam, way better than expected.”
    • “Damjan once again did an excellent job on the soundtrack as it not only amplifies the gameplay experience, but it feels unique, and it fits the game perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is just f**king amazing, especially the fight tracks and war themes.”
    • “The music is tediously repetitive and you will soon get annoyed at it and turn it down.”
    • “The soundtrack is forgettable.”
    • “The music suffers a bit for technical reasons though because unlike previous games, it doesn't do as good of a job at being dynamic so sometimes when fights end, the music just stops for a couple seconds before the calm tracks play which feels awkward.”
  • humor461 mentions

    The humor in "Serious Sam 4" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its campy, over-the-top one-liners and absurd situations reminiscent of classic B-movies. While some found the humor to be genuinely funny and nostalgic, others criticized it as cringeworthy or trying too hard, leading to a divide in reception. Overall, the game retains its signature silly charm, but opinions vary widely on its effectiveness and execution.

    • “The story and writing are hilariously over-the-top, like the best kind of terrible action movie.”
    • “The humor and one-liners are hilarious as always.”
    • “Serious Sam 4 is a fast-paced, funny, awesome, beautiful, all guns and glory kind of FPS.”
    • “And lastly, the NPCs and forced, unfunny humor they were going for were just the nail in the coffin for this game.”
    • “It is not funny because they're constantly regurgitating quips and breaking the fourth wall every moment they're given the chance.”
    • “The story sucks, writing is cringy, and unfunny, with loads of terrible puns.”
  • stability238 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs, graphical glitches, and performance issues, particularly at launch. While some updates have improved the situation, many still experience game-breaking bugs, texture pop-ins, and inconsistent frame rates, leading to a perception of the game as unfinished and poorly optimized. Overall, while the gameplay can be enjoyable, the technical problems significantly detract from the experience.

    • “Runs great!”
    • “Runs great after patch.”
    • “If I compare this with other releases from the last weeks (like Avengers and others), where those games are full of bugs and the game constantly crashes, SS4 is, compared to those, close to bug free.”
    • “For further context, I played the entire game in co-op on harder difficulties and I don't think there was a single mission that I didn't experience 5-8 bugs each (ranging from visual glitches, animation glitches, texture streaming issues, T-posing, my motorcycle literally running away from me, a game-breaking bug that required me to restart the entire last level, and more).”
    • “The game did release in an extremely buggy and unpolished state; after some patches, this could have been the best in the series.”
    • “Unfortunately, due to the poor optimization and consistent visual glitches, I couldn't stand playing this for very long.”
  • atmosphere42 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the vibrant environments and engaging soundtracks that enhance the experience, while others feel it lacks the unique charm and polish of earlier entries in the series. Many reviews highlight the effective use of ambient music and environmental storytelling, but also note that technical issues and inconsistent design choices detract from the overall immersion. Overall, while there are moments of great atmosphere, particularly in certain levels, the game struggles to maintain a cohesive and compelling setting throughout.

    • “But the atmosphere is enhanced even further with the phenomenal soundtrack.”
    • “The story, the dialogues, the atmosphere, and the music are the things that keep you entertained.”
    • “A perfect blend of atmosphere and your upbeat Serious Sam-like music that blends together phenomenally.”
    • “There is no proper atmosphere; you don't feel that Earth is under attack by a cosmic terror.”
    • “The new Serious Sam part lacks any atmosphere.”
    • “This game tries too hard to create an atmosphere, but Croteam lacks the talent and experience in those domains to pull it off.”
  • grinding37 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many elements feeling repetitive and unrewarding. While some enjoy the co-op experience and the variety of gameplay, the need for constant backtracking and the lack of meaningful progress save features contribute to a sense of monotony. Despite some entertaining secrets and battles, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a chore rather than an engaging part of the experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Another classic part of Serious Sam gameplay is exploring for secrets, something that SS4 also makes tedious.”
    • “But Serious Sam 4 manages to be tedious, dull, and unrewarding - on top of being one of the worst performing games I have ever played.”
    • “I've had to fight the same boss 6 times because the game keeps crashing during the cutscene that happens right afterwards and has gotten to be so bloody tedious that I've opted to leave a negative review.”
  • replayability35 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its extensive maps, secrets, and skill tree that enhance replay value, while others criticize the lack of depth and challenge compared to previous titles, leading to diminished replayability. Many enjoy the thrill of replaying for high scores or exploring different difficulty levels, but some feel that once completed, the game offers little incentive to return. Overall, it seems to cater well to those who appreciate exploration and competition, but may fall short for players seeking a more robust replay experience.

    • “Overall, the game is a thrilling, action-packed experience that offers a lot of replay value for those who enjoy finding all the secrets, playing all the difficulty levels, or trying to beat their best time on a map.”
    • “Maps are extensive with lots of secrets, most of which can be fairly difficult to find, so there's a lot of replayability there as well.”
    • “With infinite replayability and bigger and stronger enemies, this game never ceases to give me everything I ever wanted from a first-person shooter.”
    • “Once beaten, not replayable at all.”
    • “- removal of leaderboards and reduced coop options gives less replayability.”
    • “Has zilch replay value for me.”
  • emotional31 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some experiencing genuine emotional moments that resonate deeply, while others criticize the lack of depth and coherence in the storytelling and character development. While certain players found the narrative to be heartwarming and nostalgic, others felt it was marred by a lackluster execution and overly serious tones that detracted from the fun. Overall, the game manages to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to genuine connection, but its effectiveness varies significantly among players.

    • “And the story is terrific - there were emotional moments that got to me.”
    • “There is one really special moment after a boss fight that packs a genuine emotional punch you'd never expect from a Serious Sam game.”
    • “I love the characters; nothing is taken too seriously, but with a few touching moments.”
    • “This game as a whole is just severely unfinished, but the focus on such a boring story doesn't help much even if it were fully-featured, to be honest.”
    • “Since then the developers have tried to make 'serious' Sam serious: less over the top (read: fun) maps and weapons, a boring story, and a protagonist that worked as a caricature rendered down into just a grouchy dude.”
  • monetization23 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, leveraging nostalgia without delivering on promised features or quality. While there are no microtransactions or additional monetization schemes, players feel misled by advertising and disappointed by the execution, leading to a perception of the game as a shallow and poorly conceived title. Overall, the lack of meaningful content and reliance on past successes have left many feeling that the game does not justify its existence.

    • “No microtransactions, no loot boxes, no season passes, no DLC.”
    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “No need for super cutting-edge graphics or a gazillion monetization schemes.”
    • “This seems like a quick cash grab using the fame garnered by the prequels.”
    • “Obviously a cash grab, relying on the nostalgia factor.”
    • “This sad excuse for a cash grab, and Steam's complacency in the matter, is an embarrassing combination that has convinced me that abuse of Steam's refund system must occur, lest you get abused instead.”
  • character development15 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the increased depth and likability of the main character, Sam, others criticize the overall character design and animation quality, describing them as goofy and outdated. Despite the attempts to integrate more lore and dialogue, many feel that the game still falls short in delivering a compelling narrative, with character development being minimal compared to other titles in the franchise. Overall, while there are positive elements in character growth, the execution and design leave much to be desired.

    • “Character development was actually surprisingly good as well.”
    • “Sam is even quite likeable in this one, showing some actual character development for a change.”
    • “More characters, more lore, more dialogue, more character development.”
    • “The character designs and most monster designs look pretty bad; I much preferred the direction Croteam took in BFE, even with some experimental realism that Croteam was doing back then.”
    • “Serious Sam 4 is absolutely recognizably a title that fits within its series by offering frenetic gunplay with no character development and the bare minimum when it comes to plot.”
    • “Trying to integrate a real story with drama, character development, etc. is not a strong suit of the Serious Sam franchise.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
4-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs

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