What is the best game similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?

The closest game to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter is DOOM, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including shooter, first-person shooting and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?

The three closest games to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter are: 1. DOOM (97/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. Nuclear Throne (95/100, 11 shared attributes) 3. Brotato (96/100, 10 shared attributes). All share Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 46 candidates across 13 dimensions.

Is Nuclear Throne similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?

Yes, very much so — Nuclear Throne scores 95/100 similarity to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter. They share 11 attributes, including shooter and first-person shooting. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Shooter games are similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?

The best Shooter games similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter are DOOM, Nuclear Throne, Brotato and The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. All share the Shooter genre alongside other key Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter attributes like shooter, first-person shooting and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter calculated?

We compare Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter against every game in our catalog using 13 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

46 Games like Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter that you should try

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Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter is hard to replace: few games combine shooter, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat in quite the same way. We compared Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter against over 6,700 titles across 13 gameplay attributes and found 46 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. DOOM, Nuclear Throne and Brotato lead the list, with DOOM reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter special.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

Top games similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter

46 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter. Each one has been evaluated across 13 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1DOOM

iRank92

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opRangedMeleeDarkHardcoreSci-FiFirst Person

Steam👍 97%· 28KRAWG👍 91%· 837MC83IGDB90· 1

Year 1993Dev SEGAOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Stands apart with horror setting, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMeleeRangedHardcoreSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 20KRAWG👍 83%· 301IGDB84· 4OC86· 24

Year 2015Dev VlambeerPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, deep RPG systems and procedural generation, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#3Brotato

iRank88

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineRangedMeleeHardcoreSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 114KRAWG👍 84%· 142OC75· 6

Year 2022Dev BlobfishPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, survival mechanics and deep RPG systems, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#4The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

iRank91

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloCo-opMultiplayerOfflineMeleeRangedDarkHardcore

Steam👍 97%· 392KRAWG👍 87%· 1.2KMC86IGDB95· 2OC87· 27

Year 2014Dev NicalisPlaytime ~31hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, deep RPG systems and puzzle design, while skipping setting scifi

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#5Doom

iRank93

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDarkHardcoreSci-FiFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 218KIGDB87· 28

Year 2016Dev id Software · Bethesda SoftworksOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineRangedMeleeHardcore

Steam👍 95%· 89KRAWG👍 82%· 1.1KMC84IGDB83· 13OC84· 79

Year 2016Dev Dodge Roll · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, deep RPG systems and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#7Cuphead

iRank91

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineRangedMeleeHardcore

Steam👍 96%· 209KRAWG👍 91%· 2.0KMC87IGDB87· 17OC88· 214

Year 2017Dev Studio MDHR · StudioMDHR EntertainmentPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeRangedDarkHardcoreFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 32KRAWG👍 80%· 68IGDB70· 2OC67· 13

Year 2015Dev South East GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and roguelike runs, while skipping setting scifi

Details →

Steam Xbox

#9Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

iRank87

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDarkHardcoreSci-FiFirst Person

Steam👍 93%· 8.8KIGDB74· 2

Year 2009Dev Croteam · Devolver DigitalOn PC

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with online features, while skipping ranged combat

Details →

Steam

#10Roboquest

iRank88

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opRangedMeleeHardcoreSci-FiFirst Person

Steam👍 95%· 24KRAWG👍 84%· 44IGDB83· 3OC85· 12

Year 2020Dev RyseUp StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, procedural generation and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerRangedMeleeDarkHardcoreSci-FiFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 4.0KRAWG👍 90%· 530IGDB87· 3

Year 1999Dev id Software · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: competitive edge and PvP competition, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMeleeHardcore

Steam👍 88%· 3.9KIGDB80· 1

Year 1999Dev SNKOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, visual 2d and visual pixel, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG

#13Clone Drone in the Danger Zone

iRank94

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 38KRAWG👍 90%· 57

Year 2016Dev Doborog GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Its own twist: fighting mechanics, deep simulation and deep RPG systems, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeRangedDarkHardcore

Steam👍 97%· 122KRAWG👍 90%· 2.6KMC85IGDB86· 10

Year 2012Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, strong narrative focus and visual isometric, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloRangedMeleeHardcoreSci-Fi

Steam👍 99%· 868

Year 2016Dev Stellar CirclePlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings setting anime, visual isometric and visual pixel, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

The Void Rains Upon Her Heart

Shooter · FPS

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

Shooter · FPS

Helldivers

Shooter · FPS

Maiden and Spell

Shooter · FPS

Returnal

Shooter · FPS

SCP: Secret Laboratory

Shooter · FPS

Cave Story+

Shooter · FPS

Ultimate Chicken Horse

Shooter · FPS

Downwell

Shooter · FPS

Postal

Shooter · FPS

Quake Live

Shooter · FPS

Neon White

Shooter · FPS

Devil Daggers

Shooter · FPS

Condemned: Criminal Origins

Shooter · FPS

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

Shooter · FPS

The Binding of Isaac

Shooter · FPS

The Expendabros

Shooter · FPS

BALL x PIT

FPS · RPG

Ruiner

Shooter · FPS

Quake II

Shooter · FPS

Hitman: Contracts

Shooter · FPS

DEADBOLT

Shooter · FPS

SuperHot: Mind Control Delete

Shooter · FPS

Mafia

Shooter · FPS

MDK2

Shooter · FPS

Broforce

Shooter · FPS

Hard Reset

Shooter · FPS

Iron Grip: Warlord

Shooter · FPS

Shadowgrounds

Shooter · FPS

Borderlands 4

Shooter · FPS

Ratchet: Deadlocked

Shooter · FPS

Explore games similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter by category

Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?: The closest game to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter is DOOM, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including shooter, first-person shooting and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?: The three closest games to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter are: 1. DOOM (97/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. Nuclear Throne (95/100, 11 shared attributes) 3. Brotato (96/100, 10 shared attributes). All share Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 46 candidates across 13 dimensions.
Is Nuclear Throne similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?: Yes, very much so — Nuclear Throne scores 95/100 similarity to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter. They share 11 attributes, including shooter and first-person shooting. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Shooter games are similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter?: The best Shooter games similar to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter are DOOM, Nuclear Throne, Brotato and The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. All share the Shooter genre alongside other key Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter attributes like shooter, first-person shooting and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter calculated?: We compare Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter against every game in our catalog using 13 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.