Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 76 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 479 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 86 | 3 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 0.5 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (19)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“If you're at all a fan of old-school 90's shooters, Serious Sam or just superb multiplayer fun, Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter could be the perfect distraction from all the serious shooters being released in 2010.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The jackhammer gameplay won't necessarily win over new converts, but for everyone else, this silky remake is a must buy.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“This is the best version of one of the best gonzo shooters ever made, although it doesn't stray too far from its seven-year-old inspiration.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“The game looks great on a high end gaming PC, and will even run on pretty much anything with a dedicated video card, so most people who even have a passing interest really should check the game out. Sadly the cost of admission might be the one thing that would keep the people who would really enjoy the game away from it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Make no mistake; this game is hard. You will die, and die often. [July 2010, p.62]”
- 70
“When blowing things up, more is generally merrier. Second Encounter offers way, way more. [July 2010, p.96]”
- 80
“With an online multiplayer mode as well as replay features, not to mention several difficulty options that'll make players thankful for a quicksave button, Sam's second outing is for serious gamers everywhere.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There are some nice things to be done in the HD version of The Second Encounter: set new high scores in the endless Survival mode, take part in two-team matches or play cooperatively with four or five cutthroats like yourself. But as for the single-player campaign, it's better to set it aside… forever.”
read full review ↗ - 74
“The writing is as sharp as ever, but doesn't feel as fresh. [Aug 2010, p.96]”
- 82
“The Second Encounter was (and is) arguably the best entry into the Serious Sam series, juggling the right balance between flippant colourful whimsy and pelleting grubby monsters so hard they turn into a crimson paste.”
read full review ↗ - 62
“Old game, new graphics. Story? Who needs one? Mission targets? Nope. Just go and shoot everything until your hand hurts. The new graphics can't hide the fact that this game is hopelessly out of date.”
read full review ↗ - 73
“A better proposition than the first remake. [Aug 2010, p.86]”
GameWatcher
Eurogamer
GameSpot
PC Gamer
DarkZero…and 7 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.