Loading times are terribly long, and while one can argue that the levels are quite sizable, it's irksome to wait for almost a minute on an SSD. Having said all of that, there are a number of bugs or design decisions that mar the experience in SS4. The affair never feels boring, and while the game can be tough, the auto-saving cadence is so generous that dying rarely means having to repeat long sections. With levels so large that they take about 30 minutes to speed through, the gameplay length creeps into the double digits. The weapons feel powerful, and victories feel earned since every enemy hits hard enough to kill you if you aren't paying attention. The obvious signposts to secondary objectives are helpful, and the lack of puzzles results in short lulls in combat. Unlike the third game, SS4 doesn't spend time ramping up to the action, so the satisfaction is immediate. The frantic action remains exciting because there are so many enemies to kill at once and you know you have a fighting chance at it. The formula hasn't changed when compared to the previous games, but that's also why it still works. There are a few deviations to either locate areas for secondary objectives or trigger a cut scene that'll lead to the next big fight. Spend a ridiculous amount of time blasting everything in your path to open the gate to the next area to refill, make your way to the next area, and do it all over again. Walk into a wide-open area filled with more ammo and health, and you realize that you're in a monster closet. You walk a few steps in some areas for exploration and item refills. In addition to sticking to its gameplay mechanics, SS4 also sticks with a predictable cadence. You'll rarely feel the need to use melee attacks since they feel too slow and leave you vulnerable to a hit. Lots of weapons have secondary features, so for example, single-barrel shotguns can double as grenade launchers. Snipers can be killed with a shotgun if you take aim before pulling the trigger. The pistol deals a fair amount of damage, so if you're good about avoiding hits, you can use it to take out hordes. Your pistol never runs out of ammo, but you need to reload as the magazine empties. The comparison is even more apt when you realize that the game gives you a fighting chance in every skirmish, so you don't have to worry about running out of ammo in the middle of a battle. This is akin to a Dynasty Warriors or Earth Defense Force game from a first-person perspective. It doesn't take long before they start mixing sets of foes, and before you know it, you'll simultaneously face hordes of headless suicide bombers, giant floating brains, lithe skeletal minotaurs, flame-spouting aliens with jetpacks, and chaingun-toting mechanical scorpions. Meet up with a rampaging alien bull for the first time, and that encounter will have you shooting 10 of them at the same time. New foes are introduced at a rapid clip, but the game isn't content with introducing one enemy at a time. ![]() More importantly, SS4 tries to overwhelm you with foes to shoot. You expand your skillset once you find orbs to level up, and soon you'll be dual-wielding weapons, shooting and reloading without breaking stride, and using environmental objects as melee weapons. The lack of cover means this is a faster-paced shooter compared to modern titles. There's no regenerative health, so you'll need to be careful about getting hit. Your basic movement speed is fast, but you can also sprint without worrying about stamina, a nice carryover from the third game. Your lone person can carry every gun you can find in the field, whether it's miniguns, pistols, rocket launchers, shotguns, or even a cannon. Unlike its contemporaries, the main Serious Sam games have stuck to the classic FPS formula that made them successful in the first place. Despite filling in stereotypical roles, most of the cast is likeable, and there are enough jokes to elicit some chuckles. The story works with cut scenes that tie things together, while Sam and his motley crew fill in expected roles from a typical 1980s action movie, like the rookie getting in over his head, the jarhead who means well, and the firebrand of a pilot. Much like the other titles in the series, the narrative needs the least attention from players. ![]() With the war still going strong, Sam's Earth Defense Force has hatched a plan to find the Holy Grail to gain an advantage in the fight. You play the role of Sam Stone, a former spaceship captain who has become a commanding officer in one of the many resistance groups that have appeared since the alien Mental and his hordes took over Earth. ![]() SS4 is set up as a prequel to Serious Sam 3: BFE, itself a prequel to the original Serious Sam game.
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