Serious Sam Classics: Revolution
- August 30, 2019
- Croteam
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam"Serious Sam Classics: Revolution" is a first-person shooter game that combines the content of the original Serious Sam games in one package. It features a variety of weapons, enemy types, and intense action across multiple levels. This version also includes new customization options and modding tools for user-created content.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Combines both the First and Second Encounters into one package, providing great value for fans of the series.
- Retains the classic gameplay and humor of Serious Sam while adding modern features like Steam Workshop support.
- Offers a nostalgic experience with improved graphics and the inclusion of new weapons and a new campaign.
- The new Bright Island campaign is poorly optimized, with significant performance issues and frustrating level design.
- Still in early access with many bugs and glitches, leading to a less polished experience compared to the HD versions.
- Multiplayer functionality is lacking, with a dead player base and frequent desync issues.
- graphics258 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Serious Sam have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic charm of the original visuals while acknowledging their age. Some users noted improvements in graphical options and performance, particularly in the newer releases, but others criticized the lack of significant upgrades compared to HD remakes. Overall, while the game retains a unique art style and offers decent aesthetics, it may not satisfy those seeking modern high-definition graphics.
“In terms of visuals, it's really great; it has some amazing landscapes that look beautiful even with this old engine, sometimes it makes you just wanna stop playing and look around.”
“The graphics of this game are still amazing today and were pretty realistic for its time.”
“Great graphical improvements, lots of extra content, smooth at mostly all times, and a cheap price.”
“The visuals of the games were improved somewhat but natural textures still by and large look quite unpleasant.”
“Yes, the graphics are really, really bad.”
“Let me make it clear to you Croteam, re-releasing TFE and TSE twice with updated graphics does not make you look better, you are just leaching off at your franchise and fanbase at this point, but fine, it's just 10 dollars so whatever, I get 2 games for the price of one, but it's so unoptimized and has random frame drops all over the place.”
- gameplay166 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the Serious Sam series is characterized by fast-paced, horde-based shooting mechanics that deliver a blend of humor, vibrant environments, and a variety of weapons. While many players appreciate the nostalgic arcade-style action and the engaging level design, some criticize the repetitive nature and occasional balance issues, particularly with difficulty settings. Overall, the gameplay remains enjoyable for fans, though it may feel outdated or simplistic to newcomers.
“From its witty, dad joke, one-liner spouting lovable main hero, to its horde-based shooter gameplay, to its colorful personality and excellent music, Croteam's Sam games are seriously (pun intended) timeless and I've enjoyed every entry into the series.”
“The gameplay of these games is great, throwing hundreds of enemies at you in every level resulting in lightning-fast pacing and constant carnage.”
“I do recommend this game, and this particular version over the remasters for the simple reason that the gameplay is significantly superior to those versions; the weapons do just the right amount of damage, the enemies have just the right amount of health, and the levels are as silly and enjoyable as you expect them to be.”
“Gameplay-wise, it starts decent, but gradually devolves into trash.”
“-repetitive gameplay which can make the game boring.”
“The current state of this game is still poorly optimized, especially with the new release of Bright Island, which is currently a mess filled with bugs and other gameplay-related issues.”
- optimization89 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Serious Sam Classics: Revolution" has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in the new "Bright Island" campaign, which is often described as unplayable due to severe frame rate drops. While the base game offers decent performance and a range of graphical settings, the overall consensus is that the game requires further optimization to address the stuttering and lag experienced by users on average PCs. Some players have managed to improve their experience through custom tweaks, but the game's optimization remains a major point of contention.
“This game is a combination of the first and second encounter Serious Sam games with enhanced and optimized graphics for better performance and visual quality.”
“The engine is smooth and well-optimized, and if any graphical tweaks are needed then you're at full liberty to do so with an expansive options menu. This game may seem a bit pointless considering there are HD editions, but I found that Classics: Revolution has the most resemblance to the Serious Sam I know and love.”
“Serious Sam Classics: Revolution revitalizes the classic games, taking on similar ideas as the HD remakes by creating a game with cleaner performance.”
“Optimization is horrible; if you have a pretty average PC, get ready for frame rates as low as 30.”
“The current state of this game is still poorly optimized, especially with the new release of Bright Island, which is currently a mess filled with bugs and other gameplay-related issues.”
“Bright Island is the worst offender; it's basically unplayable for how poorly optimized it is.”
- music78 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the Serious Sam series is widely praised for its dynamic and engaging compositions that enhance the gameplay experience, transitioning seamlessly between ambient and action-oriented tracks. Reviewers highlight the memorable soundtracks and atmospheric qualities that contribute to the game's colorful personality and immersive environments, often rating the music highly. While some mention variations in music quality across different entries, the overall consensus is that the series features outstanding and enjoyable music that complements its horde-based shooter mechanics.
“From its witty, dad joke, one-liner spouting lovable main hero, to its horde-based shooter gameplay, to its colorful personality and excellent music, Croteam's Sam games are seriously (pun intended) timeless and I've pretty much enjoyed every entry into the series.”
“And excellent music that is both atmospheric and memorable and blood-pumping.”
“Dynamic and wonderfully composed music that changes based on the level of action you're facing.”
“Sound-wise, except for the new soundtracks from the Bright Island campaign (which I liked actually), nothing changed.”
“Music quality varied from poor to sub-par, but this is understandable.”
“In the later levels, it starts borrowing (and by that I mean almost copying) SS2 levels and even using their music, which is not a bad idea.”
- story72 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, often overshadowed by the gameplay mechanics and action. While some players appreciate the lighthearted and colorful narrative as a contrast to darker themes in other FPS titles, many note that the plot is repetitive and not particularly engaging, primarily serving as a backdrop for combat. Overall, the game offers a straightforward narrative centered around Serious Sam's quest against alien foes, but it may not satisfy those seeking a rich storytelling experience.
“Started as a tech demo and soon blew up into its own series, Serious Sam chronicles the story of Sam 'Serious' Stone as he fights the otherworldly foe known as 'Mental'.”
“This campaign includes thirteen main story levels and two secret levels.”
“All of the levels take place in Egypt and are about the story of how Serious Sam began his quest to save humanity from Mental's domination.”
“The plot is exactly the same as the first and second encounters, so I won't go over it here in detail.”
“Almost no story unless you read into it.”
“So, the game actually doesn't start with much of a story, if you didn't skip the opening credits that is.”
- humor59 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its corny, pun-filled dialogue and comedic moments, particularly through the character of Sam "Serious" Stone, whose one-liners add a lighthearted touch to the intense gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of humor with action, noting that it enhances the overall experience, even if some jokes may feel dated. The game is described as a fun, nostalgic ride filled with amusing quirks and entertaining interactions, making it a standout in the horde shooter genre.
“A first person shooter about a guy in a t-shirt with a lot of guns named Sam who fights monsters and collects ancient artifacts and hilariously quips things like, 'that's gotta hurt,' or, 'damn, you're ugly.' The game collects the first two Serious Sam games and a campaign called Bright Island, and is a time capsule from the early '00s with dated graphics and dated humor.”
“The funny one-liners and quips you hear from time to time make the playthroughs very satisfying when juxtaposed with the gunplay and pretty graphics.”
“Combine the hordes of enemies and weapons of doom with the good humor of Duke Nukem from the PC games and you have a game that will literally give you hours of fun and enjoyment with a ton of replay value.”
- stability41 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, graphical glitches, and performance issues, particularly in specific levels and during multiplayer sessions. While some players find it playable and enjoyable despite these problems, others describe it as a "buggy mess" that hampers the overall experience. Overall, the game shows potential but suffers from significant stability concerns that detract from its enjoyment.
“It's not totally bug-free and it has some visual issues, but in my opinion, this is the best option at the moment, and I have never had any grave issues with it.”
“Runs great and out-of-the-box on GNU/Linux machines via Proton 5.0-9 :)”
“Sadly, the game itself is a buggy mess, fitted with horrible optimization that makes many levels unplayable, especially in the new map pack 'Bright Island'.”
“Very buggy, glitches everywhere, texture flickering, monsters disappearing... Sacred Yards in the first encounter is unplayable (had to save/load like 10 times in some places because I was dropping from the map while walking and fps down to 1, also insta-dying to invisible things like I was being smashed). Additionally, the final boss, once he climbs the pyramid, gets stuck on the floor and ends up walking in place, which renders the final boss battle impossible as he is regenerating his HP with no way to make him go to the center to kill him with the teleport.”
“The buggy menus, lag, and overall jank make it extremely unenjoyable to play for me.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging music, appealing graphics, and immersive levels, creating a vibrant and memorable experience. While the HD remakes maintain a strong atmosphere, some players note a difference compared to the originals, particularly in mood and landscape design. Overall, the combination of fast-paced action and atmospheric elements contributes to a compelling gameplay experience.
“Literally the best FPS ever made, it's fast-paced, with great atmospheric levels and on-your-toes action.”
“And excellent music that is both atmospheric and memorable and blood-pumping.”
“All the strangely moody atmosphere of TFE and cluttered landscapes of TSE are recreated here in an engine better suited to modern gaming.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its diverse maps filled with secrets, engaging alternate encounters, and a variety of challenges. Players can enjoy hours of fun through time attack modes and the addition of custom maps via workshop support, which continually refreshes the content. Overall, the combination of humor, enemy variety, and ongoing community contributions ensures a rich replay experience.
“This allows even more replayability to the franchise, and I think Alligator Pit did a very good job at making the alternate encounters feel authentic and challenging while still being fair.”
“The workshop support also helps enhance and prolong the replayability, as custom maps are actually still being added and the ones I've played have all been excellent.”
“The maps have a ton of secrets to discover and there is a nice variety to them, so if you like to uncover everything, there is quite a bit of replayability value in there.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it can require excessive time investment, such as 14 hours for kills, and is often hindered by tedious mechanics and poorly designed levels. The presence of annoying "gimmick rooms" further disrupts gameplay, leading to a slow and frustrating experience. Overall, grinding is seen as a tedious and unengaging element that detracts from the game's enjoyment.
“A few problems would be 'Sam I Am', where you legit spend 14 hours just grinding kills, and the game is basically dead.”
“The second encounter also features more 'gimmick rooms' which are very annoying, and I always dread going into one of these rooms as they slow down the pacing to a grinding halt due to their annoying gimmicks.”
“It's ugly, boring, and tedious with enemies getting stuck all the time and levels that are just way too big.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for potentially being a cash grab, with users expressing a desire for honest advertising and quality over low-effort designs. Overall, there is a strong sentiment against poorly executed games that prioritize profit over genuine creativity and effort.
“It's not just some newbie knob knocking up a half-baked low-res platformer that would have sucked even back in the 80's or a cash grab by a talentless developer using stock items on an engine that should never have seen the light of day.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a lack of emotional engagement in the game, with users emphasizing a focus on physical experiences rather than emotional connections.
