Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter vs V Rising

A full spec-by-spec comparison of Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter vs V Rising — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.

Specification Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter Devolver Digital, Majesco Entertainment V Rising Stunlock Studios
Overview
Release Date November 24, 2009 May 8, 2024
Availability Released Released
Developer Croteam Stunlock Studios
Publisher Devolver Digital, Majesco Entertainment Stunlock Studios
Official Site https://playvrising.com/
Gameplay
Genre Action, Shooter, Indie Action, Adventure, Massively Multiplayer
Game Modes Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op, Online Co-op Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op, Online Co-op
Perspective First-person
Average Playtime 4 hours 7 hours
Platforms & Pricing
Platforms PC, Xbox, Nintendo PC
Available On Steam, Xbox 360 Store Steam
PC Requirements
Minimum Requirements OS: Windows XP w/SP1 or newer Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3+ Ghz or AMD Athlon64 3500+ Memory: 1 GB Graphics: nVidia GeForce 7600, ATI Radeon X1600 (Shader Model 3.0 Highly Recommended) DirectX®: DirectX 9.0c August 2009 Edition or newer Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i5-6600, 3.3 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, 3.5 GHz Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 2 GB or AMD Radeon R7 360, 2 GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 7 GB available space Additional Notes: Minimum System Requirements might change in the future
Recommended Requirements Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i5-11600K, 3.9 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 3.7 GHz Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX 590, 8 GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 7 GB available space Additional Notes: Recommended System Requirements might change in the future
Critic & Community Scores
Metacritic 68 / 100
Community Rating 3.9 / 5 (572 ratings) 3.7 / 5 (175 ratings)

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter vs V Rising: which should you buy?

Both Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter and V Rising are action‑oriented titles with single‑player and multiplayer options, but they cater to different hardware setups and play styles. Serious Sam HD is an older, first‑person shooter released in 2009 that runs on modest specs – Windows XP, a Pentium 4‑class CPU, 1 GB RAM and a GeForce 7600‑class GPU. It’s available on PC, Xbox and Nintendo platforms via Steam and the Xbox 360 Store, making it a flexible choice for gamers with legacy consoles or low‑end PCs. V Rising, launched in 2024, is a modern MMO‑style adventure that demands a 64‑bit Windows 10 system, at least an i5‑6600/ Ryzen 5 1500X CPU, 12 GB RAM and a GTX 750 Ti‑class GPU, with a recommended GTX 1070 for smoother performance. It is PC‑only on Steam and requires broadband internet. If you have a newer PC and prefer a persistent online world with richer graphics, V Rising is the better fit. If you own an older PC or console and want a quick, 4‑hour shooter that runs on low specs, Serious Sam HD is the practical pick. Prices are not provided, so base your decision on hardware compatibility and genre preference.

Frequently asked questions

Which game runs on older hardware?

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter runs on Windows XP with a Pentium 4‑class CPU, 1 GB RAM and a GeForce 7600‑class GPU, making it suitable for older PCs and consoles.

Do I need a broadband connection for either game?

V Rising requires a broadband internet connection for its online multiplayer features, while Serious Sam HD does not list a network requirement.

Is either game available on consoles?

Serious Sam HD is available on PC, Xbox and Nintendo platforms, whereas V Rising is PC‑only.

Which game has higher system requirements?

V Rising has higher minimum requirements, needing a 64‑bit Windows 10 OS, an i5‑6600/ Ryzen 5 1500X CPU, 12 GB RAM and a GTX 750 Ti‑class GPU, compared to Serious Sam HD's modest 1 GB RAM and older GPU needs.