Serious Sam: Shatterverse, a co-op roguelite celebrating the series’ 25th anniversary, was unveiled at the PC Gaming Show. The project, developed by Behaviour Digital, the studio behind this latest iteration of the celebrated franchise, promises to reimagine the iconic legacy in a completely new format. The developers timed the announcement to coincide with the quarter-century anniversary of Serious Sam’s story, blending wild takes on the main character, recognizable meaty gameplay, and modern trends.
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What will Serious Sam: Shatterverse’s gameplay be like?
The franchise is shifting gears—instead of a classic linear shooter, we’re in for a co-op roguelite. The only aspect that remains unchanged: the series’ DNA remains intact. Behaviour Digital promises tons of fun, rivers of blood, and hordes of iconic monsters. Players will once again have to fend off headless kamikazes, gnaars, and, apparently, giant walkers.
The gameplay is based on the classic rogue-lite cycle:
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Constant runs. You’ll have to complete levels again and again, gradually collecting the perfect gear.
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Build customization. Upgrades and a variety of modifiers allow you to create unique tactics for each enemy spawn.
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High difficulty. You’ll die often, but each death is just an excuse to start a new, even wilder round.
Sam’s Multiverse and Stylistic Chaos
The main draw of this anniversary project is its play with visual styles and versions of Serious Sam himself. The developers decided to literally combine the franchise’s 25-year history, allowing gamers to choose the most unexpected characters.
The roster of heroes has already been announced:
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Old-school polygonal Sam (a throwback to the early 2000s)
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Exotic lizard Sam
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Ironic daddy Sam with his distinctive paunch
Each variation not only changes the skin but also highlights how much the game has transformed over the past quarter century.
Serious Sam: Shatterverse Release Date and Steam Playtests
The official PC release is planned for this year—the developers didn’t reveal the exact dates at the PC Gaming Show. However, you’ll be able to get your hands on the co-op roguelike much sooner. Behaviour Digital announced the imminent start of closed beta testing. You can apply for the Steam playtest now, so fans of meaty shooters should hurry.
