Devolver digital unleashes a new wave of sam in shatterverse
The Xbox Partner Showcase just got a whole lot louder. Devolver Digital, never ones to shy away from the chaotic, dropped a bomb on attendees: a brand new Serious Sam game, Serious Sam: Shatterverse, is heading to consoles and PC later this year. But this isn't Croteam at the helm – Behaviour Interactive, the studio behind Dead by Daylight, is taking point.
A multiversal mayhem of explosions
Serious Sam: Shatterverse reimagines the franchise as a frenetic, five-player co-op FPS. Players will embody various Sams pulled from alternate dimensions, tasked with repairing the titular Shatterverse. The premise alone is promising, but the official description’s line about wielding “a big, loud, stupid and frankly irresponsible arsenal of weapons” seals the deal. This is, undeniably, Serious Sam.
Beyond the sheer volume of destruction, the game promises procedurally generated runs through hand-crafted arenas, unstable anomalies, and high-risk opportunities for those brave (or foolish) enough to seize them. Expect classic Serious Sam enemies alongside fresh, Mental-controlled monstrosities all ripe for a generous application of lead. The promise of persistent upgrades and modifiers adds a layer of progression that moves beyond the series’ traditional run-and-gun formula.
While Serious Sam has historically been a Croteam affair, spinoffs have appeared courtesy of other studios, with Serious Sam: Tormental (2022) proving a mixed bag. Behaviour Interactive’s pedigree, however, lends credibility to this venture. They’ve successfully handled existing IPs before, contributing to Fallout Shelter and navigating the complex landscape of Silent Hill: Ascension. Their experience with co-op gameplay, honed by the immense success of Dead by Daylight, positions them well to deliver a compelling multiplayer experience.
“Our main goal was to respect Serious Sam’s rich legacy while presenting it in a fresh, contemporary way unlike anything seen before in the series,” explained Behaviour Interactive’s Nic Duchesne. The partnership with Devolver, known for their fiercely independent approach to publishing, suggests a commitment to preserving the franchise’s core identity while pushing its boundaries. Devolver's reputation for prioritizing the game above all else is a welcome assurance for fans wary of franchise dilution.
The release date remains unconfirmed, but Serious Sam: Shatterverse is slated for launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC later this year. Whether Behaviour Interactive can successfully channel the spirit of Sam Stone remains to be seen, but the initial signs suggest a glorious, chaotic return for the perpetually blasting protagonist.