Games Database
PS2
Shoot 'Em Up
| Also for: | GameCube | ||
| Viewed: | 3D First-person | Genre: | Shoot 'Em Up |
| Media: | DVD | Arcade origin: | No |
| Developer: | Climax | Soft. Co.: | Global Star Software |
| Publishers: | Take 2
(US/GB) |
Released: | 23 Apr 2004
(GB) 2004 (US) |
| Ratings: | PEGI 12+ | ||
| Accessories: | Memory Card | ||
| Connectivity: | Network Adaptor (Ethernet) compatible | ||
| Features: | Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only | ||
Summary
When the original Serious Sam was first released for PC back in 2001, it reintroduced us to one of the fundamental concepts of the first-person shooter - fast and frantic blasting action. In a world of sophisticated plots, stealth-based gameplay and tactical combat, the game shifted its focus onto pure action, with simple mission objectives (shoot everything!), a massive arsenal of firepower and an AI system that meant that, if you didn't kill them pretty darn quickly, then the massive horde of ugly aliens would very rapidly run at you, kamikaze-style, and ensure that the next move you made would be a rather ungraceful one towards the ground. Well the PS2 is now graced with a slice of this far-from-serious action, with the release of Next Encounter.
Once again, you take on the role of comic book hunk Sam 'Serious' Stone, the only man with guns big enough to save the world from certain doom. This time the adventure begins when an abandoned mothership of Sirian origin sends out strange signals from the past - you are subsequently sent to investigate and end up on a quest to beat arch-rival Mental's forces to a powerful time-travelling artefact. Otherwise, it's the last call for humanity.
Thankfully, Next Encounter continues the Serious Sam tradition of pure, unadulterated explosive action, as you load up on guns and lay waste to a relentless onslaught of rather hideous creatures. As you explore the game's 40+ levels, spread across three time periods - Ancient Rome, Feudal China and Legendary Atlantis - you are faced with a horde of new, time-specific enemies to frag.
For the first time ever, the action is no longer merely a pedestrian affair, as vehicles have now been included in the proceedings. This means that assisting you on your world-saving killing spree are the likes of the innovatively-named Serious Sub, Serious Jeep and Serious Combine. Another new element is the game's scoring system, which encourages you to get high scores in order to earn medals that can subsequently be used to unlock hidden levels, new features and cheats.
With the inclusion of both two-player, split-screen deathmatch and co-op modes, as well online support for up to eight players, Next Encounter should most certainly be on the wish list of all frag fest fans - as far as FPS games are concerned, it's about as frantic as they come.
Once again, you take on the role of comic book hunk Sam 'Serious' Stone, the only man with guns big enough to save the world from certain doom. This time the adventure begins when an abandoned mothership of Sirian origin sends out strange signals from the past - you are subsequently sent to investigate and end up on a quest to beat arch-rival Mental's forces to a powerful time-travelling artefact. Otherwise, it's the last call for humanity.
Thankfully, Next Encounter continues the Serious Sam tradition of pure, unadulterated explosive action, as you load up on guns and lay waste to a relentless onslaught of rather hideous creatures. As you explore the game's 40+ levels, spread across three time periods - Ancient Rome, Feudal China and Legendary Atlantis - you are faced with a horde of new, time-specific enemies to frag.
For the first time ever, the action is no longer merely a pedestrian affair, as vehicles have now been included in the proceedings. This means that assisting you on your world-saving killing spree are the likes of the innovatively-named Serious Sub, Serious Jeep and Serious Combine. Another new element is the game's scoring system, which encourages you to get high scores in order to earn medals that can subsequently be used to unlock hidden levels, new features and cheats.
With the inclusion of both two-player, split-screen deathmatch and co-op modes, as well online support for up to eight players, Next Encounter should most certainly be on the wish list of all frag fest fans - as far as FPS games are concerned, it's about as frantic as they come.
Artwork
