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Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter similar games & best alternatives

Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter

PC (Microsoft Windows), SteamVR, Linux • 2017

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Quick resume

Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter is a frantic arcade action FPS, featuring singleplay and co-op campaign, various multiplayer modes, all presented in glorious VR and with different locomotion movements.

Global score

88/100

Genres

Action, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Multiple locomotion options including smooth and teleport
    • Dual wielding any weapons enhances gameplay
    • Fast-paced, chaotic, and immersive vr action
    • Large levels with secrets and varied enemies
    • Supports multiplayer co-op and deathmatches

    Cons

    • Some players experience motion sickness with smooth locomotion
    • Graphics and assets feel dated compared to newer vr titles
    • Occasional bugs and crashes reported
    • Online multiplayer population is low
    • Price considered high by some given age of original content

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Expression, Domination.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have multiple locomotion options (teleport, trackpad, smooth or snap turning) and can dual wield any weapons, allowing high personal control and freedom of action."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game offers challenging fast-paced combat requiring skillful aiming, movement, and weapon management with feedback on performance."

    • Competition
      2

      "Includes multiplayer modes such as co-op and deathmatches, but online activity is low; competition is present but not dominant."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report long sessions and habitual play, with some playing for hours continuously and enjoying repeated playthroughs."

    • Cooperation
      3

      "Supports multiplayer co-op which players find highly enjoyable, fostering teamwork and shared accomplishments."

    • Creativity
      1

      "Limited creativity beyond weapon dual-wielding and movement options; gameplay mostly follows established level design and enemy patterns."

    • Domination
      -2

      "Multiplayer interactions emphasize shared chaotic fun rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a high-adrenaline escape, enjoying immersive VR action that distracts from real life."

    • Expectation
      -3

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and nostalgia rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Multiple locomotion and control schemes encourage players to try different playstyles and settings."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Game features large levels with secrets and hidden areas, encouraging discovery within familiar classic environments."

    • Expression
      -2

      "Minimal character or environment customization; players mostly use default visuals and weapons."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Set in a fantastical world with giant monsters and over-the-top weapons, providing an imaginative fiction experience."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Community and multiplayer co-op foster a sense of belonging and shared enthusiasm among players."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop VR locomotion skills and improve aiming and movement through challenging gameplay."

    • Health
      -3

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with some physical movement; some players experience motion sickness but no exercise focus."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires continuous attention and active engagement due to fast-paced combat and movement."

    • Intimacy
      1

      "Social interactions mostly limited to multiplayer co-op and casual voice chat; limited emotional sharing."

    • Leadership
      -3

      "Multiplayer emphasizes cooperative participation without formal leadership or authority roles."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players collect weapons, ammo, and power-ups progressing through levels and defeating bosses."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "High intensity and fast action create excitement but sustained tension rather than relaxation."

    • Sensation
      4

      "VR immersion, large-scale enemies, and explosive combat provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status
      0

      "Some multiplayer recognition possible but not a major focus or widely visible social status."

    • Story
      1

      "Includes a campaign with narrative elements but story is secondary to action and gameplay."

    • Strategy
      2

      "Requires tactical movement, prioritizing enemies, and weapon choice but mostly fast-paced rather than deep strategy."

    • Thrill
      4

      "Fast-paced combat, large enemies, and chaotic battles generate strong suspense and adrenaline."

    • Value
      2

      "Players find good value especially during sales due to content, replayability, and VR novelty."

    • Violence
      4

      "Gameplay centers on combat, shooting, and destruction of numerous enemies with various weapons."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid damage and manage resources to survive waves of enemies and boss fights."

    Last update: 29/04/2026