Key Notes
- Croteam and Devolver have announced a PC sequel that continues directly after The Second Encounter, rather than another prequel or side story.
- The game promises solo and cooperative arcade shooting across alien worlds, with its first screenshots explicitly marked as work in progress.
- The Third Encounter remains in early development with no release date, public test or console version announced.
Croteam and Devolver Digital have announced Serious Sam: The Third Encounter for PC, returning to the story directly after The Second Encounter. The new arcade shooter is in early development, with no release date announced.
The official Steam announcement frames it as the continuation of a storyline left waiting for 24 years. Its first teaser and screenshots introduce the project, but the developers are not opening an Early Access release or a public test as part of this announcement.
A Direct Follow-Up to The Second Encounter
The new game’s place in the timeline is explicit. The Third Encounter picks up where The Second Encounter ended, continuing Sam’s fight against Mental’s forces rather than introducing another prequel or a separate side story.
The original game launched on February 5, 2002, according to its Steam listing. Its campaign sent Sam through South America, ancient Mesopotamia and medieval Europe, combining waves of enemies with a broad arsenal and hidden areas.
It also offered cooperative play alongside competitive modes. Those features help explain the expectations attached to the Encounter name, but their exact rules should not automatically be carried over to the new game.
For returning players, the announcement answers the basic narrative question: this is a continuation of that early campaign. Croteam has not supplied a detailed campaign outline or a breakdown of how much familiarity with the earlier game will be required.
Alien Worlds, Returning Weapons and Cooperative Play
The new store page describes alien worlds, hostile strongholds and large enemy groups built around arcade shooting. Returning weapons will sit alongside new additions as Sam takes the fight toward Mental’s horde.
Solo and cooperative play are confirmed. Steam currently lists online co-op and shared or split-screen support, although the announcement does not specify a final player limit or provide a detailed explanation of each multiplayer configuration.
The first publisher screenshots show bright rocky environments, familiar-looking enemies and Sam wielding two pistols. They are marked as work in progress, so the images establish the direction of the project rather than a final visual benchmark.
Croteam’s pitch centers on surviving overwhelming encounters with movement and firepower. It has not yet explained the progression systems, campaign structure or any changes to the way players unlock and carry weapons.
PC Is Confirmed, With the Release Schedule Still Open
The announced platform is PC through Steam. A wishlist page is available, but it currently gives the release date as “To be announced.” No console version is included in the announcement.
The early-development label is the important qualifier for anyone expecting to play soon. A teaser, screenshots and a store listing are not a launch window, and they do not establish that a demo is imminent.
The clearest commitments are the return to The Second Encounter’s storyline, the arcade shooter format and cooperative play. More detailed gameplay footage and multiplayer specifications will be needed before players can judge how much of the classic design is returning and where Croteam is changing it.
