Serious Sam HD Hands-On Preview, Trailer, and Screens

Jim "txshurricane" McLaughlin September 6th, 2009 at 1:58 AM

Game Name: Serious Sam HD
Co-Op: Yes
Co-Op Type: Full co-op campaign - 4 players on XBLA, 16+ on PC
Publisher/Developer: cdv Software Entertainment (publisher)/ Croteam (developer)
Release Date: Fall 2009

We got to play Serious Sam HD today, and not only can we say that this game is great fun, we've got some impressive new co-op news: while the Xbox Live Arcade version will support four players, the PC version will support -- ready for it? -- sixteen players...or more!

The visuals looked really sharp, and the controls were spot-on. The reticule is now more prominent, and subtly moves "toward" the screen when your line of sight is interrupted by an object. As before, the enemy's health is represented by your reticule's color, but now it's easier to see the green, yellow, and eventually red when your aim passes over them.

There have been numerous balance tweaks to the engine; original developer Croteam has been hard at work on this updated version.

The game will retail for 1,200 MS Points on the Xbox Live Arcade, or $15 on PC. Disc versions will be available in stores as well. According to publisher cdv, the sales of this game may justify the same treatment for Serious Sam: The Second Encounter.

Watch the below Epic Trailer -- which expertly makes use of Clint Mansell's Lux Aeterna -- and check out the new screenshots.

Tags: xbox 360 4 player co-op co-op news pc serious sam pax 2009 preview serious sam hd

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27 Total Reader Comments

ong_elvin at 09:40 PM on 9.5.2009

You've... never played the originals, have you? They already have the reticule features. Also, the PC version supporting 16 isn't a surprise. The original also supported 16 players. If you're playing Serious difficulty, even the best players will seriously need some backup.

bapenguin at 09:50 PM on 9.5.2009

It's not gonna support 16. It's gonna support MORE than 16. They just wouldn't say how many.

txshurricane at 12:15 AM on 9.6.2009

I didn't say that these were new features. In fact, the only thing I mentioned as being new was the more prominent reticule. I think you missed the phrase "as before".

Have you played the new one?

Nuhru at 12:31 AM on 9.6.2009

Basically it will be the same as the first Serious Sam but with better graphics? Or will there be some new content too?

BigBadBob113 at 02:36 AM on 9.6.2009

I never played the originals, but its sounds awesome...and by sounds awesome I am referring to the voice bits from the co-opticast.

Mrxknown_JG at 03:19 AM on 9.6.2009

Played the demo of the first one way back, and it was fun. Don't know why I never picked it up...

morris694 at 05:25 AM on 9.6.2009

The original was awesome to play with friends and family i went out and bought the first and second encounters around the time they came out. this is going to be sweet can't wait to get my hands on the pc version

roland at 07:26 AM on 9.6.2009

I'm still disappointed that this doesn't have split screen.

smurphster at 11:33 AM on 9.6.2009

same here... this game would be a blast with couch co-op. very sad

Psyclops at 12:41 PM on 9.7.2009

I agree that it should have couch co-op, but I'm most likely gonna still get it.

Etanos at 05:01 AM on 9.8.2009

Oh man, this'll be crazy. I still remember those crazy moments where I wouldn't let go of the fire button for a long time with all the monsters that would come in from every side. And that was with help!

.Dylan at 06:44 AM on 9.8.2009

I'm not a twitch shooter fan so there's no way a ridiculous twitch shooter would ever sway me.

mattism at 07:32 AM on 9.8.2009

Here at work we play Serious Sam 2nd Encounter about once a year for a month. So I will be buying this when it comes out.

Tasark at 08:38 AM on 9.8.2009

I've been wanting to try this for a while now.. i'll be picking it up.

blakepro at 09:39 AM on 9.8.2009

I like the crisp visuals. I know its probably a stretch, but any word on split screen with this one?

Torg001 at 09:41 AM on 9.8.2009

Game looks great but visuals alone do not a great game make.

smurphster at 09:45 AM on 9.8.2009

it shouldn't be a stretch since the original had it.. however, this one does not

Syphous at 02:29 PM on 9.8.2009

The man loves his rocket launcher.

This trailer is way way WAY better than that crap G4 produced.

mook06 at 03:07 PM on 9.8.2009

no split screen sucks, ill think about getting it for PC though

Dschinghis at 12:30 PM on 9.9.2009

Flashbacks! First play-through of Sam co-op back in the day was magical.

This is a must-buy for co-op shooter fans. Sam had some great quips. Good times...

Heretic Machine at 02:57 PM on 9.9.2009

I never got to play the original games, I was kind of burnt out on FPS games at the time.

16 player co-op? Sign me up.

Zonf86 at 11:51 PM on 9.9.2009

Seriously liking this.

MSUSteve at 04:55 AM on 9.10.2009

I am looking forward to this in a big way. I submitted a line to the Twitter contest and it'll be in the game (SAMICIDE!) so I'm double pumped.

cave at 11:50 AM on 9.10.2009

My God I love this series. I even play it on my GBA which is insanely hard. This is a PC purchase because of the multiplayer but it makes me wonder why not 16 on 360? Halo does it and I would rather play this. Cheers to the circle strafe experts at Croteam.

cave at 11:50 AM on 9.10.2009

Awesome MSUSteve I'll keep on the look out for it.

smurphster at 12:14 PM on 9.10.2009

halo 3 has 4 player co-op. you have to consider all the processing power it takes for enemy AI and rendering all the enemies. with all the chaos in serious sam, it doesn't surprised me they had to limit it as they did. i bet you'll find that most PCs will not be able to handle 16 player co-op on this game.

cave at 12:33 PM on 9.10.2009

I always assumed that co-op on Halo 3 was because of level size and pacing. I didn't think about resource use, good point doesn't change my decision but helps me understand decision why thanks.