Introduction
Ever since Doom first graced the shiny monitors of computers the world over, many gamers have been enthralled by the First-Person Shooter. Though typically gory, these games offer tense exploration, edge-of-your-seat shootouts, and some strange storylines. The genre has come a long way since then, different in many ways from the foundations laid down by the Doom series. With the release of Serious Sam on the Xbox, players are brought back to a simpler time, before such things as "RPG Elements" and "Puzzle-solving" were a part of the FPS world. Recalling a more pure, action-based feeling, SS will test the patience and sanity levels of anyone brave enough to attempt it.

Gameplay
Sound is nice and the voice acting isn't bad (it's silly, but it's not horrible). The problem, mainly, is the music. It basically repeats in a boring loop until you're confronted by some kind of monster. Then it changes slightly but still loops. Many gamers will find themselves growing weary of this in a hurry and simply listening to a music CD instead. The sound effects aren't terrible. Guns and explosions sound right, though not terribly interesting. Depending on the difficulty setting, the game will probably take most people a few days to complete. And that's if they're playing it nonstop. As with most first-person shooters, the gameplay can become repetitive, but there are plenty of weapons to help keep things fun.

Story
The first thing one notices are the odd graphics. While stunning and beautiful in-game, the cinemas are pretty bad. Fortunately, there aren't too many of these. Enemies and environments look wonderful, often showing off the power of the Xbox. Thousands of fluid monsters fill the screen, lusting for Sam's blood and there's almost never any slowdown. The framerate stays steady and keeps your mind on the action taking place in front of you. Featuring both Serious Sam 1 and The Second Encounter, the environments vary quite a bit. From Ancient Egyptian to Mayan and Babylonian, Sam goes all over the place in his quest to defeat the evil alien known only as "Mental" who seeks to conquer Earth. Typical. Gameplay is what you would expect from an action-oriented FPS. Moving from courtyard to courtyard and room to room, the player will have to mow down seemingly endless waves of enemies. Fortunately, there is a large variety of beasts to blast, each with their own fighting style, so you won't get bored too quickly.

Graphics
The main problem with this game is that once you've finished it, there aren't many reasons to play it over again, aside from the fact that it's relatively fun. However, there are a lot of secrets hidden throughout each level and even a few secret missions to unlock if you're really observant. The multiplayer mode helps the game last longer, featuring Deathmatch and Cooperative mode, a la Halo. Unfortunately, while playing Co-op, you can't watch any of the game's cinemas. This is a small price to pay, however, for the opportunity to blast through the game with a buddy.

Sound
With a quirky sense of humor, colorful cast of characters, and old-school gameplay, no fan of the genre can afford to miss Serious Sam. The difficulty is a bit rough and it can become repetitive, but the good far outweighs the bad. A great diversion for everyone waiting with bated breath for the release of Halo 2.