Serious Sam 4 similar games & best alternatives

Serious Sam 4

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S • 2020

Should you play it?

Serious Sam 4 reignites the classic FPS series in a high-powered prequel loaded with an explosive arsenal, intergalactic carnage, and perfectly timed one-liners.

What works
  • Fast-paced, satisfying combat
  • Large maps with secrets and side quests
  • Weapon variety and upgrades
  • Humorous b-movie style story and characters
  • Cooperative multiplayer mode
Things to keep in mind
  • Poor optimization and performance issues
  • Some bugs and graphical glitches
  • Long loading times
  • Empty large map areas
  • Awkward animations and voice acting

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

  • SharpShooter3D

  • Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

  • Planet Centauri

  • Moros Protocol

  • Platypus Reclayed

  • Voidigo

  • Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

  • Super Time Force Ultra

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Platypus Reclayed

  • QANGA

  • Air Missions: HIND

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Violence

    Serious Sam 3: BFE

  • Autonomy

    Showgunners

  • Escapism

    Orcs Must Die! 2

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Serious Sam 4: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose characters, skills, weapons, and tactical approaches in combat and exploration."

    Capsule for Showgunners Showgunners

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, skills, and approach to combat, with optional side quests and exploration."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game offers skill challenges such as boss fights and resource management, but some players find difficulty spikes and clunky combat mechanics."

    Capsule for waxweaver waxweaver

    "Gameplay requires skillful shooting, positioning, and weapon management; some players find difficulty spikes challenging."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on cooperative and solo play with no mention of ranked or PvP competition; emphasis on personal progress and team play."

    Capsule for Shape of Dreams: Prologue Shape of Dreams: Prologue

    "Focus is on solo or cooperative play against AI hordes, with no mention of ranked or PvP competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report long play sessions, replayability with new game+ and side quests, and engagement with exploration."

    Capsule for Ys: Memories of Celceta Ys: Memories of Celceta

    "Many players report long play sessions and replayability with side quests and skill progression."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Co-op mode exists but is limited; main gameplay encourages working with NPC survivors and allied enclaves."

    Capsule for State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition

    "Co-op mode is present and enjoyable; NPC allies assist in combat but are not critical."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Includes map editor and some customization of skills and weapons, but main gameplay follows preset structure."

    Capsule for Hunted: The Demon’s Forge™ Hunted: The Demon’s Forge™

    "Includes weapon mods, gadgets, skill trees, and vehicle segments adding creative gameplay elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared management and cooperation with NPCs and other players rather than dominance."

    Capsule for Necesse Necesse

    "Interactions emphasize shared combat with NPCs and cooperative play rather than dominance over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players enjoy stress relief and distraction through engaging fantasy combat and humorous tone."

    Capsule for Orcs Must Die! 2 Orcs Must Die! 2

    "Players enjoy stress relief and distraction through fast-paced, over-the-top combat and humor."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia for the series, not due to obligation."

    Capsule for Risen 2: Dark Waters Risen 2: Dark Waters

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia for the series, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different weapons, upgrades, and routes through the map."

    Capsule for The Mummy Demastered The Mummy Demastered

    "Players experiment with weapon combos, skills, gadgets, and exploration of large maps."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Large open maps with side quests encourage exploration of new areas and discovery."

    Capsule for Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc

    "Large open maps with secrets and side quests encourage exploration despite some empty areas."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Customization through skill shop and modding allows some degree of player expression."

    Capsule for Sonic Generations Collection Sonic Generations Collection

    "Customization via skill trees and weapon mods allows some player expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Game features imaginative alien invasion fiction with sci-fi elements and alternate history setting."

    Capsule for Xenonauts 2 Xenonauts 2

    "Game features imaginative sci-fi alien invasion, over-the-top weapons, and B-movie style humor."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community and cooperative play foster social connection."

    Capsule for SpellForce 3 Fallen God SpellForce 3 Fallen God

    "Community and cooperative play foster social connection among players."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Skill tree and weapon upgrades provide learning and personal development opportunities."

    Capsule for The Darkest Tales The Darkest Tales

    "Skill trees and weapon upgrades provide learning and personal development opportunities."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay is sedentary with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Farming Simulator 15 Farming Simulator 15

    "Gameplay is sedentary with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires continuous attention and focus during combat; not suited for background or idle play."

    Capsule for Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter

    "Requires continuous attention and focus during combat; not suited for idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Social interactions are limited to tactical cooperation; no close emotional relationships described."

    Capsule for Satellite Reign Satellite Reign

    "Social interactions are limited to cooperative combat and light banter, no deep relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "Players generally act independently or cooperatively without formal leadership roles."

    Capsule for Wildfire Wildfire

    "Players mainly act individually or cooperatively without formal leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate upgrades, skills, weapons, and collectibles throughout the game."

    Capsule for Watch_Dogs™ Watch_Dogs™

    "Players accumulate weapons, upgrades, skill points, and gadgets throughout the game."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find the fast-paced combat exciting and cathartic, though others note tension and difficulty spikes."

    Capsule for Wrought Flesh Wrought Flesh

    "Some players find the fast-paced combat cathartic, though others note tension in difficult fights."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visual and auditory elements including music and gore provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    Capsule for DEAD RISING® DEAD RISING®

    "Visual and auditory effects, gore, and music provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Game focuses on personal and cooperative play without emphasis on social recognition or ranking."

    Capsule for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II

    "Game focuses on individual or cooperative play without social status or ranking systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Game includes a light narrative with some humor and story elements, but story is not the main focus."

    Capsule for Buggos Buggos

    "Game includes a campy, B-movie style narrative with character interactions, but story is not main focus."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Some tactical decision-making in weapon choice and movement, but largely fast-paced and reflexive."

    Capsule for OMFG: One Million Fatal Guns OMFG: One Million Fatal Guns

    "Combat involves some tactical weapon choice and positioning, but largely fast-paced and reflexive."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Players enjoy suspense and excitement from challenging encounters and boss fights."

    Capsule for Borderlands 2 Borderlands 2

    "Players enjoy suspense and excitement from overwhelming enemy hordes and boss fights."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players feel the game offers good value for time spent, with satisfying gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus

    "Players feel the game offers good value for time spent, especially with side quests and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay centers on violent combat, gore, and destruction."

    Capsule for Serious Sam 3: BFE Serious Sam 3: BFE

    "Core gameplay centers on violent combat, destruction, and gore against hordes of enemies."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage resources and avoid death in challenging combat scenarios."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 5 Resident Evil 5

    "Players must manage resources and avoid death in challenging combat scenarios."

Last update: 01/06/2026