Serious Sam: The Second Encounter 2002

Released: February 5, 2002
Genres: Shooter · Indie
Platform: PC
Developer: Croteam
Publisher: Gathering of Developers
More info: Wikipedia IGDB

Where to buy

Digital: GOG Steam
In a collection: Serious Sam HD: Gold Edition

Steam

Serious Sam: GOG Collection

GOG
Physical: Search on Amazon

Affiliate links: GOG, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, ININ Games and Amazon

Is it still worth playing?

Right after the first game, Sam Stone's spaceship crashes back to Earth on the way from ancient Egypt to Sirius, and he has to find the Holy Grail to continue. This 2002 shooter has twelve mostly linear levels across three settings, with big waves of enemies, some arenas that have to be cleared before moving on, and seven new enemy types. Several stages have dynamic environments, such as rooms where gravity points in several directions, arenas with multiple floors and slippery icy sections. Platforming and more traps are added. Arenas full of enemy waves are still what define it today.