Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter vs Shadow Warrior Classic Redux
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter wins 9 of 13 head-to-head metrics. Shadow Warrior Classic Redux is $4.15 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter | Shadow Warrior Classic Redux |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Maybe × Maybe | 56 | 62 |
| Quality | 93 | 72 |
| Value | 38 | 76 |
| Popularity | 28 | 28 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $5.77 | $1.64 |
| Steam Review Score | 95.9% positive | 89.8% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 9 | 4 |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter
Shadow Warrior Classic Redux
Side by side over time
Serious Sam Classic: The First EncounterShadow Warrior Classic Redux
Details and requirements
| Item | Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter | Shadow Warrior Classic Redux |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | August 30, 2019 | July 8, 2013 |
| Developers | Croteam | General Arcade |
| Publishers | Devolver Digital | Devolver Digital |
| Platforms | Windows | Linux, Windows, MacOs |
| Processor (minimum) | AMD Athlon 650MHz or Pentium III 650MHz range processor | 1.8 GHz Processor |
| Memory (minimum) | 128MB | 1 GB RAM |
| Graphics (minimum) | nVidia GeForce256 or TNT2 ultra, PowerVR Kyro, S3 Savage2000, 3Dfx Voodoo3, ATI Rage128 pro | OpenGL compatible graphics card with at least 256M |
| Hard Drive (minimum) | 700MB free hard disk space | 650 MB HD space |
| Sound (minimum) | Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live | — |
| OS (minimum) | — | Windows XP, Vista, or 7 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter or Shadow Warrior Classic Redux?
Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter won the comparison against Shadow Warrior Classic Redux based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter worth buying over Shadow Warrior Classic Redux?
Based on the metrics, Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. Shadow Warrior Classic Redux currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
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Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 05:38 PM UTC