Serious Sam 3: BFE Review: A Glorious Return to Old-School Action
In an era dominated by military cover shooters, Serious Sam 3: BFE (Before First Encounter) released in 2011 as a glorious throwback to the golden age of first-person shooters. Developed as a prequel to the original 2001 classic, this game delivers chaotic, high-octane gameplay that tests both your reflexes and your tactical movement.
The Developer: Croteam
Croatian game development studio Croteam created the Serious Sam franchise. Known for developing their custom engine technology, Croteam built Serious Sam 3 using the Serious Engine 3.5. Their commitment to sprawling environments, hundreds of simultaneous enemy spawns, and smooth performance remains a hallmark of their work.
Context & Setting
Serious Sam 3: BFE serves as a direct prequel to Serious Sam: The First Encounter. Set during the 22nd century during Mental's alien invasion of Earth, the story takes players to the dusty ruins and modern urban landscapes of Egypt. Humanity's last hope rests on the shoulders of Sam 'Serious' Stone and his team of Earth Defense Force soldiers.
Story and Narrative
While narrative is rarely the main focus of retro-style FPS titles, Serious Sam 3 keeps things entertaining with tongue-in-cheek humor, exaggerated hero tropes, and radio chatter from NETRICSA, Sam's artificial intelligence assistant. The plot functions primarily as a setup to send Sam from one massive arena battle to the next against horde after horde of extraterrestrial monsters in a desperate bid to activate the Time-Lock artifact.
Graphics and Visuals
For its 2011 release, Serious Sam 3: BFE boasted impressive graphical upgrades over its predecessors. Powered by Serious Engine 3.5, the game delivers detailed textures, dynamic lighting, realistic dust physics, and visceral enemy designs. Classic enemies like the Beheaded Kamikaze and Kleer Skeletons received gritty, updated looks. The contrast between ancient Egyptian temples and destroyed modern cities offers memorable, wide-open arenas designed specifically for chaotic circle-strafing combat.
Playable Platforms
Serious Sam 3: BFE is available across multiple gaming systems:
- PC: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS (via Steam)
- Seventh-Gen Consoles: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Modern Consoles: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch (as part of the Serious Sam Collection)
Final Recommendation
Serious Sam 3: BFE is an absolute blast for fans of intense, horde-based FPS gameplay. While the initial levels start a bit slow, once the game hands you the rocket launcher and unleashes hundreds of screaming enemies across vast deserts, it delivers unmatched adrenaline. If you enjoy classic shooters like DOOM or Quake, Serious Sam 3: BFE is a must-play title.
Verdict: 8.5/10
