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

Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter

PC (Microsoft Windows), SteamVR, Linux • 2017

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • 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
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • HordeZ

  • Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter

  • Serious Sam 3 VR: BFE

  • Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter

  • Blood Typers

  • Inglorious Waifu VS Nazi Zombies

  • God's Trigger

  • DEATH IN UNISON

  • Hospital 666
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • HordeZ

  • Inglorious Waifu VS Nazi Zombies

  • Commander Cool 2
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Soldat 2
  • Competence

    WRATH: Aeon of Ruin
  • Escapism

    Drop In - VR F2P

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

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 weapons, customize characters, and use various movement mechanics with high player control."

    Capsule for Soldat 2 Soldat 2

    "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

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging combat requiring skillful movement, weapon use, and resource management with clear feedback."

    Capsule for WRATH: Aeon of Ruin WRATH: Aeon of Ruin

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Includes online multiplayer and ranked modes, but multiplayer is reported as dead or inactive, so competition is present but limited."

    Capsule for SUPER DRAGON BALL HEROES WORLD MISSION SUPER DRAGON BALL HEROES WORLD MISSION

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Many players report long sessions and habitual play, with some playing multiple hours continuously."

    Capsule for Dictators:No Peace Countryballs Dictators:No Peace Countryballs

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Supports co-op multiplayer with shared objectives and loot, enhancing teamwork and social play."

    Capsule for Deadzone: Rogue Deadzone: Rogue

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Limited creativity in gameplay; some weapon variety and build choices, but mostly predefined levels and enemy patterns."

    Capsule for Metal: Hellsinger Metal: Hellsinger

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Multiplayer interactions are more chaotic and playful rather than focused on exerting control or superiority."

    Capsule for Micro Mages Micro Mages

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction and social space, escaping real life through immersive VR gameplay."

    Capsule for Drop In - VR F2P Drop In - VR F2P

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for WARRIORS OROCHI 4 WARRIORS OROCHI 4

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Multiple locomotion options and gameplay modes encourage trying new approaches."

    Capsule for Island 359™ Island 359™

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Game features large levels with secrets and varied environments, encouraging discovery within the campaign."

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

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Minimal character or environment customization; players mostly use default models and skins with limited personalization."

    Capsule for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Counter-Strike: Condition Zero

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in an imaginative sci-fi world with fantastical enemies, items, and lore."

    Capsule for Risk of Rain (2013) Risk of Rain (2013)

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community and multiplayer co-op foster a sense of belonging and shared experience."

    Capsule for Schedule I Schedule I

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop VR skills, aiming, stealth tactics, and puzzle solving through gameplay."

    Capsule for Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -3

    "Primarily sedentary VR gameplay with no physical exercise focus; some players report motion sickness or discomfort."

    Capsule for Ghosts of Tabor Ghosts of Tabor

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Hellsweeper VR Hellsweeper VR

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Social interactions mostly limited to cooperative multiplayer, with minimal emotional sharing."

    Capsule for Toy Soldiers: Complete Toy Soldiers: Complete

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "Multiplayer focuses on cooperative participation without strong leadership or authoritative roles."

    Capsule for Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect weapons, ammo types, and items; progress through levels and bosses."

    Capsule for MDK MDK

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Fast-paced and intense action creates excitement rather than relaxation or flow states."

    Capsule for Bleed 2 Bleed 2

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation from immersive VR visuals, sound, and intense combat."

    Capsule for Arizona Sunshine® Arizona Sunshine®

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    0

    "No strong emphasis on social recognition; multiplayer status exists but is minor and often negative."

    Capsule for BioShock® 2 BioShock® 2

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Includes a campaign with narrative elements, but story is considered light and secondary to gameplay."

    Capsule for Worbital Worbital

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Requires some tactical thinking in movement and combat, but overall fast-paced and reflex-driven rather than deep strategy."

    Capsule for Grapples Galore Grapples Galore

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Fast-paced combat and challenging enemies create suspense and adrenaline."

    Capsule for Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Players find good value in the game's depth and replayability, especially when purchased on sale."

    Capsule for Godhood Godhood

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Gameplay centers on combat, shooting, and destruction of enemies."

    Capsule for Half-Life: Opposing Force Half-Life: Opposing Force

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

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

    Capsule for Nitro Express Nitro Express

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

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026