Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

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Serious Sam's Bogus Detour is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by Croteam and was released on June 20, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is an all-new action-adventure in the legendary Serious Sam saga from Hammerwatch developer Crackshell. Battle through beautiful Mediterranean locales, dangerous biological weapons labs and even high-tech moon bases as a one-man wrecking crew or in four-player online cooperative for maximum chaos! Dominate the chaotic Survival and Versus modes or make your own mods, mode…

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 279 reviews

gameplay20 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game features beautiful pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack that captures the essence of the Serious Sam series.
Gameplay is fast-paced and chaotic, with a wide variety of weapons and enemies that keep the action engaging.
The game includes RPG elements like leveling up and perks, which add depth to the gameplay and encourage exploration.

The lack of a map and the large level designs can lead to confusion and aimless wandering, detracting from the overall experience.
The difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially with tough bosses and the absence of a manual save feature, forcing players to replay long sections.
Some weapons feel underpowered compared to their counterparts in the mainline Serious Sam games, leading to a less satisfying combat experience.

gameplay
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
55%
14%
The gameplay of "Serious Sam's: Bogus Detour" is a mixed bag, featuring a twin-stick shooter format that successfully incorporates the franchise's core mechanics, but suffers from unbalanced difficulty and repetitive level design. While some players appreciate the fluid controls, diverse weaponry, and RPG elements, others find the gameplay frustrating due to sluggish pacing and poorly implemented mechanics. Overall, the game offers a fun experience for fans of the genre, but it may not satisfy everyone due to its inconsistencies.
- “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.”
- “A fantastic retro soundtrack drives the fast and fluid gameplay as you battle your way through diverse environments.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
graphics
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that many players find appealing, with vibrant colors and detailed animations enhancing the overall aesthetic. However, some critiques point to the simplistic nature of the visuals and a lack of substantial graphical improvements, which can detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally well-received for their nostalgic appeal, opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.
- “It is an otherwise fun twinstick 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.”
- “The game focuses way too much on pretty pixel graphic animations, but intentionally hampers the player's enjoyment due to bad decisions like some of the following:”
- “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.”
music
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
16%
12%
The music in the game, composed by Damjan Mravunac, has received widespread praise for its catchy and unique retro soundtrack, which enhances the gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the blend of electronic synths and percussions, noting that it sets the game apart from other titles in the Serious Sam franchise. However, some reviews mention that while the soundtrack is strong, it is occasionally overshadowed by gameplay issues such as difficulty and sluggishness.
- “A pretty fun and interesting take on the Serious Sam franchise, with really good music and fun gameplay!”
- “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.”
- “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.”
story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal or non-existent, serving mainly as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a cohesive narrative. Players note a lack of character development and meaningful plot, suggesting that those seeking a rich story experience should look elsewhere. Overall, the focus is primarily on action and gameplay rather than storytelling.
- “Secrets, missions, etc. well done team!”
- “Fun top-down shooter with a neat story.”
- “Best play the game with friends for the laughs and singleplayer for the experience and story.”
- “So there is basically no story, just excuses for things to happen.”
- “No story.”
- “If you expect a game to have a story, character development, or ever give you a break from shooting stuff - give it a pass.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its funny elements and character, consistent with the Serious Sam series. However, some users feel that the dialogue could be more humorous, and frustrations with gameplay mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game balances humor with serious gameplay, making it accessible and entertaining for a wide audience.
- “Great serious spinoff with blazing fast weaponry, tangible upgrades, and funny secrets.”
- “This game is beautiful, funny, and serious.”
- “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.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
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+ mode to ease the process. The cramped levels further complicate combat and exploration, making the grinding experience feel frustrating and monotonous.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This level is just tedious.”
- “Destroying cores that spawn a load of enemies is very tedious.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players appreciate the game's concise length, which enhances its replayability by encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different upgrades and content. The inclusion of RPG elements further adds to its replay value, with many anticipating that co-op mode would offer an even richer experience.
- “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.”
- “The RPG elements give it additional replay value, and I bet it's even more fun in co-op mode (no friends, so I'm just guessing on this one).”
- “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 a replay. It felt repetitive on subsequent 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.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express frustration with the emotional impact of gameplay mechanics, particularly regarding the difficulty in identifying critical hazards 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.”
- “The story's ability to evoke such strong feelings made every decision feel weighty and impactful.”
- “I was moved to tears by the heartfelt moments in the game; it truly captures the essence of human experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's optimization is criticized, as it reportedly consumes more resources than some 3D games despite its 2D graphics. However, players note that it runs smoothly when the frame rate is set to unlimited, suggesting that performance issues may be manageable with the right settings.
- “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; I can run the game on lower-end hardware without any noticeable lag.”
- “I appreciate how well the game is optimized for different systems, allowing a wider range of players to enjoy it.”
- “This 2D game is not optimized at all; it consumes more resources than some 3D games!”
- “The performance issues are frustrating, as the game struggles to run smoothly even on high-end hardware.”
- “I expected better optimization; the game lags and stutters frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development in this game is minimal, with users noting a lack of story and character progression, making it more suitable for those seeking nostalgic gameplay rather than a narrative experience.
- “The character development in this game is truly remarkable, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters as their stories unfold.”
- “I was genuinely impressed by how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
- “The depth of character development adds layers to the narrative, making the journey not just about gameplay, but about understanding and growing with the characters.”
- “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 characters feel one-dimensional and lack any real growth throughout the game, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “I was hoping for a rich narrative and character arcs, but instead, I found flat personalities and predictable outcomes.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
Reviewers highlight the game's atmosphere as a standout feature, noting its ability to evoke strong emotions and create immersive environments. The retro graphics contribute to a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of playing in a dimly lit room, while the detailed level design enhances the overall experience, making it feel rich and engaging. Titles like "TFE" and "TSE" are particularly praised for their atmospheric depth, with "Bogus Detour" also successfully capturing this essence, especially in its second level.
- “Something else that I think too many indie games fail at and take 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 of the indies failed 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.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, particularly in the menu where controllers are non-functional, leading to reliance on the mouse. Users report various bugs, including unresponsive options and visual glitches, which detract from the overall experience despite the game's appealing graphics.
- “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 and just makes the screen flash.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers criticize Serious Sam's Bogus Detour for its high price of around $10 USD, deeming it a cash grab that fails to deliver value 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.”

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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews

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77h Median play time

55h Average play time

9-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour is a action game.

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour is available on PC, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 55 hours playing Serious Sam's Bogus Detour.

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour was released on June 20, 2017.

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour was developed by Croteam.

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Prodeus, Project Warlock, Juicy Realm, Hammerwatch, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and others.

Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

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