Serious Sam: The First Encounter
Serious Sam: The First Encounter

Version History / Updates

Review the version history for Serious Sam: The First Encounter. Learn how this guide evolved with game updates and community insights, documenting strategies .

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Version History / Updates

Welcome, Serious Sam veterans and newcomers alike! This section details the evolution of this comprehensive guide for Serious Sam: The First Encounter. As the game itself has seen various releases and community contributions over the years, so too has the effort to document its every secret, strategy, and enemy encounter. Understanding the guide's history can help you navigate its content and appreciate the dedication of its authors.

Guide & Walkthrough (PC) by JPaterson000 & slodeth

This is the foundational guide for Serious Sam: The First Encounter, originally penned by JPaterson and later updated and maintained by SloDeth. It serves as the primary resource for a complete playthrough, covering every level, weapon, and enemy.

  • Original FAQ Date: Saturday, March 24th, 2001. This marks the initial release of the guide, providing early players with crucial information during the game's launch period.
  • Last Updated: September 7th, 2004. SloDeth's final update to this version solidified its status as a comprehensive resource, incorporating years of community feedback and refined strategies.
  • Version: Final. This designation indicates that the guide, in its PC iteration, reached a state of completion and was no longer actively updated by the original authors.
  • Key Content: This guide offers a full walkthrough, detailing level progression, optimal weapon usage against specific enemy types (e.g., using the Minigun against hordes of Kleer Skeletons or the Rocket Launcher for Aludran Reptiloids), and locations of crucial health and armor pickups. For instance, in the level "Hatshepsut," it would guide you to the hidden Rocket Launcher behind the waterfall or the secret Mega Health in the courtyard.

Secrets Guide (PC) by drplote

For those seeking to uncover every hidden gem and bonus in Serious Sam: The First Encounter, drplote's Secrets Guide is an invaluable companion. This guide focuses exclusively on the myriad secrets scattered throughout the game's levels.

  • Updated: April 9th, 2001. This early update indicates the rapid discovery and documentation of secrets shortly after the game's release, showcasing the community's immediate engagement with its hidden content.
  • Highest Rated Guide: This guide's high rating reflects its utility and accuracy in helping players find every elusive secret.
  • Key Content: Expect detailed instructions for finding specific secrets, such as the hidden Serious Bomb in "Memphis - The Great Pyramid" accessible by shooting a specific wall panel, or the extra health and ammo caches tucked away in the corners of "Thebes - Karnak." It often includes precise directional cues and environmental markers to ensure you don't miss a single one.

Enemy/Boss FAQ (XBOX) by Icon_of_Sin

While primarily focused on the Xbox version, Icon_of_Sin's Enemy/Boss FAQ provides excellent insights into the various creatures and formidable bosses Sam faces. Many strategies are transferable to the PC version.

  • Version: 1.10. This indicates multiple revisions and refinements to the enemy strategies.
  • Key Content: This guide breaks down each enemy type, from the basic Gnaar to the menacing Biomechanoids, detailing their attack patterns, weaknesses, and recommended weaponry. For example, it would advise using the Shotgun for close-range encounters with Headless Kamikazes to prevent their explosion, or the Lasergun for sustained damage against the Lava Golem boss.

NETRICSA Guide (HTML) by ShadowDragon777 (for Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter)

Although specifically for the HD remake, ShadowDragon777's NETRICSA Guide is a fantastic resource for understanding the lore, enemy descriptions, and weapon specifications that Sam's personal computer, NETRICSA, provides. Much of this information is consistent with the original game.

  • Version: 1.0. This initial release is comprehensive in its coverage of NETRICSA's database.
  • Key Content: This guide essentially transcribes and organizes all the in-game information provided by NETRICSA. This includes detailed enemy profiles (e.g., the history of the Kleer Skeletons, the origins of the Gnaar), weapon statistics (damage output, fire rate, ammo capacity for the Minigun, Shotgun, etc.), and lore snippets that enrich the game's narrative. While not a direct walkthrough, it's invaluable for players who want to delve deeper into the game's universe.

Secrets FAQ (for Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter) by drplote

Another excellent contribution from drplote, this guide updates the secret locations for the HD remake. Many secrets remain in the same locations or have similar activation methods as in the original PC version.

  • Version: 1.3. This indicates several updates to ensure accuracy and cover any subtle changes in secret locations or triggers in the HD version.
  • Key Content: Similar to the original Secrets Guide, this FAQ provides precise instructions for uncovering hidden areas, bonus items (like extra health, armor, or ammo packs), and even secret weapons. It's particularly useful for comparing secret locations between the original and HD versions, helping veteran players adapt their hunting strategies.