Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 268 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Serious Sam's Bogus Detour Game Cover
Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is 100% Serious Sam, but in 2D. I mean that in the best possible way.
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"Serious Sam's Bogus Detour" is a frantic action-adventure game set in the Serious Sam universe, offering a solo campaign and online co-op for 2-4 players, versatile multiplayer modes for up to 12 players, and a survival mode. The game includes a powerful game editor and supports mods, offering endless replayability. Fight through diverse landscapes and face hordes of enemies, using an array of weapons and special abilities.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 268 reviews
gameplay20 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The game captures the essence of the Serious Sam franchise with fun gameplay and a variety of weapons.
  • The pixel art style and soundtrack are well-executed, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Great for co-op play, offering a fun and chaotic experience with friends.
  • The game suffers from unbalanced difficulty, making some levels frustratingly hard, especially for solo players.
  • Lack of a map makes navigation difficult, leading to tedious backtracking.
  • The save system is limited, with only checkpoints available, which can lead to losing significant progress.
  • gameplay64 mentions

    The gameplay of "Serious Sam's: Bogus Detour" is a mixed bag, featuring engaging twin-stick shooter mechanics and a variety of weapons that many players find enjoyable. However, criticisms arise regarding unbalanced difficulty, repetitive level design, and some frustrating mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a fun and creative take on the franchise, the core gameplay loop struggles to maintain consistent satisfaction for all players.

    • “Serious Sam's: Bogus Detour is a spin-off of the main franchise that features twin-stick shooter gameplay from a top-down perspective that will bring challenging gameplay throughout the game.”
    • “The gameplay is the game's atlas as it holds the entire thing up, and if the gameplay wasn't satisfying and the guns weren't fun to shoot, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this anywhere near as much as I did.”
    • “A fantastic retro soundtrack drives the fast and fluid gameplay as you battle your way through diverse environments.”
    • “There are clear signs of honest effort here, like an impressive collection of weapons, a leveling system with three skill trees, or a variety of different challenges to tackle, but all of it means little when the core gameplay is so severely lacking.”
    • “The game could have been way better, considering the graphics are nice and the OST is cool too, but everything is ruined by the sluggish gameplay and unfair difficulty at times.”
    • “While there's really nothing wrong with the gameplay, it's the lack of 'anti-frustration features' that makes it a chore to play through.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The game's graphics are characterized by a charming high-bit pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro gaming, with many praising the vibrant colors and detailed animations. However, some reviews criticize the graphics as simplistic and lacking depth, with scaling options failing to enhance the overall visual quality. While the pixel art is generally well-received, opinions vary on its effectiveness in contributing to the game's atmosphere and overall enjoyment.

    • “It is an otherwise fun twin-stick shooter with a charming high-bit pixel art style.”
    • “The levels are huge and lushly decorated, and really the whole detailed pixel art style is a fantastic plus here.”
    • “The pixel art style is really well done too.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic low-quality art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
    • “Graphically, this game looks fine but bland, and that's a running theme throughout the whole game.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and epic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Composed by Damjan Mravunac, the soundtrack features a unique blend of retro electronic synths and percussions, setting it apart from previous entries in the Serious Sam franchise. While some players noted occasional inconsistencies in the overall experience, the music remains a standout element that adds to the fun and nostalgic atmosphere of the game.

    • “I love this game! One of the better Serious Sam indies, the art and music are just amazing, and it's pretty fun to play, especially with friends.”
    • “A fantastic retro soundtrack drives the fast and fluid gameplay as you battle your way through diverse environments.”
    • “Damjan Mravunac composed a phenomenal soundtrack for this title, mixing his usual percussions with retro-sounding electronic synths that give the game its own unique identity.”
    • “The game could have been way better, considering the graphics are nice and the OST is cool too, but everything is ruined by the sluggish gameplay and unfair difficulty at times.”
    • “Music is meh (except level 1 battle theme)”
    • “To sum up, the game has a great design and a good soundtrack, but sadly, it has an unbalanced difficulty with extremely tough bosses and a badly implemented skill tree.”
  • story16 mentions

    The game's story is minimal and often described as non-existent, with many players noting a lack of character development and narrative depth. While some find enjoyment in the gameplay and nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic titles, others feel that the absence of a compelling story detracts from the overall experience. Overall, it seems best suited for those seeking fun gameplay rather than a rich narrative.

    • “Fun top down shooter with a neat story.”
    • “Best play the game with friends for the laughs and singleplayer for the experience and story.”
    • “This is a story about a lonely boy (it's me by the way), who was driven mad, and killed himself because he was under disdain from the Serious Sam community.”
    • “If you expect a game to have a story, character development, or ever give you a break from shooting stuff - give it a pass :)”
    • “No story”
    • “This is a story about a lonely boy (it's me by the way), who was driven mad, and killed himself because he was under disdain from the serious sam community.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort without the benefit of a new game+ option to ease the process. The cramped levels further exacerbate the frustration, making both combat and exploration feel monotonous.

    • “Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This level is just tedious.”
    • “Destroying cores that spawn a load of enemies is very tedious.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its blend of funny elements and serious gameplay, though some feel there could be more humorous dialogue between characters. While the game maintains the comedic charm of the series, frustrations with gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Great serious spinoff with blazing fast weaponry, tangible upgrades, and funny secrets.”
    • “This game is beautiful, funny, and serious.”
    • “Besides that, though, Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour remains a labor of love and passion. It has the character and humor of the rest of the games in the series, and it’s enjoyable enough that anybody can pick it up and play it.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's concise length, which enhances its replayability by encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different upgrades and modes. The inclusion of various gameplay options, such as co-op, campaign, and a level editor, along with RPG elements, further boosts its replay value, making it enjoyable even in its base form.

    • “The game may be on the short side, but I actually prefer it this way; it means it's all the more replayable and doesn't overstay its welcome. I'm looking forward to replaying it soon and trying out all these other upgrades to see if they spice things up even more.”
    • “There are tons of content and replay value even in the vanilla game.”
    • “Co-op, versus co-op, campaign mode, level editor... replayability and couch fun are assured.”
    • “The game is quite short, which makes it feel less replayable. Once you've completed it, there's not much incentive to go back.”
    • “After finishing the game, I found that there wasn't enough variety in the gameplay to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
    • “While the game has some interesting mechanics, the lack of meaningful choices means that replaying it feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that the atmosphere in the game series is a standout feature, evoking strong emotions and nostalgia reminiscent of playing in a dimly lit room with retro graphics. Titles like "The Final Episode" and "Bogus Detour" excel in creating immersive environments filled with intricate details, enhancing the overall experience and setting them apart from other indie games.

    • “Something else that I think too many indie games fail at and is taken for granted these days is atmosphere; you might think Sam is all about shooting, and the retro graphics made me think it would stray more into the feeling of playing in a dark room illuminated by a CRT in the 90s, but the series always had something special in that it would stir an emotion appropriate for the level. Sometimes very moody, there is nothing quite like TFE & TSE to this day.”
    • “Bogus Detour pretty much succeeded in that too; it isn't as 'bombastic' on average as SS3 (which is a game I still like, by the way), and overall the levels ooze with tons of details that bring you closer into these worlds. Even the second level may have the best atmosphere of all of them.”
    • “Something else that I think too many indie games fail at and is taken for granted these days is atmosphere; you might think Sam is all about shooting, and the retro graphics made me think it would stray more into the feeling of playing in a dark room illuminated by a CRT in the 90s, but the series always had something special in that it would stir an emotion appropriate for the level, sometimes very moody. There is nothing quite like TFE & TSE to this day.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express frustration with the emotional impact of gameplay mechanics, particularly regarding the difficulty in noticing critical elements like spikes, which can lead to instant death. This design choice detracts from the overall experience, suggesting a need for clearer visual cues or alternative gameplay options to enhance emotional engagement.

    • “The emotional depth of the characters really drew me in; I felt a genuine connection to their struggles and triumphs throughout the game.”
    • “The story's ability to evoke such strong feelings made every decision feel weighty and impactful, leaving me reflecting on my choices long after I finished playing.”
    • “I was moved to tears by the poignant moments in the narrative; it’s rare for a game to resonate with me on such a personal level.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by significant menu bugs, including non-functional controller support and visibility issues with menu items, leading to frustrating navigation. While the graphics are generally vibrant and enjoyable, they are occasionally disrupted by noticeable glitches.

    • “The menu is buggy; you need to use the mouse as controllers don't work in the menu. It's difficult to see which menu item you are pointing at, and pressing start to enter the options does not work, causing the screen to flash.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized, with users noting that it consumes more resources than some 3D games despite its 2D graphics. While it can run smoothly with unlimited FPS settings, the overall optimization remains a concern.

    • “The game runs smoothly if you set the FPS to unlimited, and it's not really an issue since the game doesn't have extremely intense graphics.”
    • “The optimization is impressive, allowing for a seamless experience even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the game to ensure it runs well across a variety of systems.”
    • “This 2D game is not optimized at all; it consumes more resources than some 3D games!”
    • “The performance issues are frustrating, as the game lags even on high-end systems.”
    • “I expected better optimization; the frame rate drops significantly during gameplay.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers criticize "Serious Sam's Bogus Detour" for its high price of around $10 USD, deeming it a cash grab due to its defects and shortcomings, especially when compared to numerous free, higher-quality games available on Steam.

    • “Serious Sam's Bogus Detour has a ridiculous cash grab price of around $10 USD. It's not worth it given the defects and shortcomings of the product, especially considering the sheer number of completely free, much higher quality games on Steam.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in this game is minimal, with a focus on gameplay over narrative. Players seeking a rich story or character growth may find it lacking, while those nostalgic for classic arcade-style action may enjoy it.

    • “The character development in this game is truly remarkable, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters as their stories unfold.”
    • “I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of character development; each character feels unique and evolves in meaningful ways throughout the game.”
    • “The way the game handles character arcs is impressive, making every decision feel impactful and enhancing the overall narrative experience.”
    • “If you miss playing games at your friend's who had an Amiga back in the 90s, get this now. If you expect a game to have a story, character development, or ever give you a break from shooting stuff, give it a pass.”
    • “The character development is almost non-existent; I felt no connection to the characters or their journeys.”
    • “I was really disappointed with how shallow the character arcs were; they lacked depth and meaningful growth.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
9-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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