The HD version just pretties up the ancient game play, but makes you miss modern shooters.
The Bad: No story, repetitive mindless shooting, crappy weapon selection, stale environments, needs a complete overhaul
I could never get into Serious Sam mainly because I didn't have the (at that time) powerhouse of a computer to run this strange FPS. Serious Sam was in vain of other first generation FPS games like Doom, Duke Nukem, and Quake. Serious Sam infused strange humor and that's what set it apart from the more serious shooters. The HD version is just a prettied up version of the second game, and it still stands that only fans will enjoy this.
There is no real story attached, but you pay as Sam who runs around shooting weird, yet interesting, foes with super powerful weapons. Weapons range from your standard array of FPS fair such as a flamethrower, rocket launcher, double revolvers, shotguns etc. The foes can be pretty funny with headless kamikazes that scream, skeleton horses, and just weird indescribable beings. On top of this the levels are pretty open and the HD graphics look nice, but it's not enough to save the ancient game play.
We're so used to amazing cinematic game play that just run and gun shooters seem boring. Not only this but the weapon selection is a pain because there's no radial menu of any type or even categories. They aren't even numbered! You can never remember which weapon is what number so you trying to find the right weapon while backing away from enemies and it leads to frustrating deaths. Also, the game is plagued with the irritating hidden secrets that are nearly impossible to find. The game is also very hard unless you play on the easiest setting and your guns never feel quite powerful enough.
While there is a nice variety in environments they seem static, stale, and lifeless. I would have liked to see more detail like animals running around, birds flying, and just extra stuff you see in modern games. I don't want just an old game with better graphics. Why bother unless you modernize it a little more because that's who's going to play it. People who are used to modern shooters. I really wish Serious Sam would evolve into a modern shooter because I can guarantee it would be amazing.
There are a few neat things like being able to record your game, and unfortunately, no one's playing online. I would have liked to see some making of videos, a history of Serious Sam or something like that. I understand fans of the original will dig this, but the people who evolved along with the genre just can't get it.