Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The immediate draw here is choice. Rather than asking you to settle for one version of these two Serious Sam entries, Gold Edition puts the HD pair and the original pair together. If you already know you enjoy revisiting games in different releases, that is a far more inviting proposition than a barebones two-game bundle.

Its biggest strength is also the point where some buyers may hesitate: there is clear overlap. This is not four wholly separate adventures; it is two Encounter titles represented in HD and original form. That makes the collection feel substantial when you want a broad Serious Sam library, but less essential if your only goal is to play each Encounter once and move on.

For the right gamer, the duplicate editions are the feature rather than the padding. You can spend time with Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter and The Second Encounter, then still have the earlier releases available as part of the same purchase. Go in wanting a comparison-friendly collection, not four unrelated games, and the structure makes much more sense.

Graphics

The visual hook is right in the naming: the package includes HD versions of both Encounter games as well as the original releases. That gives you a direct choice between the HD editions and the older versions instead of forcing the collection into a single presentation.

Story

Gold Edition is organized around the first and second Encounter titles, not around a new chapter made specifically for the compilation. The useful part is continuity of access: both halves are here in HD form and in their original releases.

That means the collection is easy to approach in sequence. Start with The First Encounter, then continue to The Second Encounter; afterward, the original versions remain available if you want to revisit the same material through the earlier releases.

Do not come to this expecting a compilation-exclusive narrative payoff. The value lies in having the paired games collected twice over, with the HD editions sitting alongside the originals.

Overall Experience

Serious Sam HD: Gold Edition is a sensible purchase when you want a compact Serious Sam archive rather than a tightly curated, no-overlap package. Including both HD games is the main reason to buy it; including both originals turns it into a more complete historical set.

There is real value in that completeness, especially for a fan who dislikes being asked to choose between an updated release and an older one. You get both First Encounter and Second Encounter in each form, which makes this feel more considered than a bundle that quietly leaves the originals behind.

The catch is simple: if alternate versions hold no interest for you, half of the package may feel redundant. But if you want the HD pair and appreciate having the original editions included rather than excluded, Gold Edition earns its name as a generous Windows compilation.

Retro Replay Score

7/10