Blockbuster Gaming – Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour

Occasionally here at Player2.net.au, we will play something that deserves your attention but probably doesn’t need a full review written for it. Be it DLC for the latest AAA title, a little indie game or even an Android/iOS title. We play these titles for a blockbusting amount of time (2 – 5 hours) and report back to you the reader on what we found. So grab your popcorn and settle in for the latest episode of Blockbuster Gaming.

Blockbuster Gaming – Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour

PC

Sam Stone. Wise-cracking hero and protector of the planet. Has saved Earth on multiple occasions from the hordes of an alien warlord. Likes talking computers and Ancient Egypt. Hates headless suicide bombing zombies that can somehow still scream. Now Sam is facing his biggest challenge yet, one that not even he can be sure of topping…… 16-bit graphics.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is a top down shooter spinoff from the main FPS series. Sam is no stranger to spin-offs, with everything from platformers to turn-based RPGs featuring the gun-loving hero. However, with Bogus Detour, it is the first time that one of these spinoffs has received the love and attention the franchise deserves and hasn’t felt like a quick cash in game. I would go so far as to say that Bogus Detour is just as fun as the core Serious Sam games.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

It achieves this feat by keeping what people love about Serious Sam intact. Bogus Detour is a top down shooter that brings everything from the 3D Sam games into the 2D realm. There were hordes of aliens running at me, a massive selection of guns and the need to have some serious circle strafe skills to get through the levels. It all works well using the keyboard and mouse control scheme, though I imagine a twin-stick control scheme will be added later for those that like a controller in hand. WASD moves Sam, the Mouse aims and Spacebar dodges. Very simple yet balanced and responsive. The only thing that is annoying is the weapon select using the mouse. It is a radial wheel that can be a little fiddly. Not usually an issue but when you run out of ammo facing 30 chain throwing skeleton horses you want to be able to switch your weapon quickly.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

The game isn’t a complete copy of the FPS titles though. There have been some excellent new additions to the Serious Sam formula. The most notable of these is the light RPG elements that have been added in. Sam now acquires experience throughout his adventures that can be used to upgrade a wide range of skills. Simple things like more health, interesting things like ricocheting bullets and strange things like a risk/reward upgrade that increases the damage Sam does but also the damage he receives. There are about 20-odd different upgrades so there is plenty of ways to tailor the game to suit.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

It wouldn’t be a Sam game without a wide range of crazy enemies and Bogus Detour delivers in spades. All the Sam favourites are there, like the aforementioned suicide bombers, but there is a healthy dose of new baddies to shoot at as well. Lava monsters, strange scorpion/spider hybrids and shotgun toting orcs to name a few. The real highlight, however, is the boss battles. These are tense, fast-paced battles that test your skill and push your trigger finger to the limit. The bosses themselves are also well designed and feel right at home in the Sam universe.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

In good news for co-op fans, Bogus Detour can also be played with friends. Allowing up to four players to play together and take on the challenge of the main game. There is also a deathmatch mode and a wave mode, however co-op is where the real fun lies. The game also comes with an extensive suite of modding tools which means that the Steam Workshop is already chock full of great additions to the main game. Honestly, the game gives quite a bit of value for its very reasonable $14 USD asking price.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

With Serious Sam Bogus Detour you get exactly what you would expect out of a Serious Sam game. Fast combat, dumb yet persistent enemies and a big chunk of attitude. Only, in this case, it is all in 2D as opposed to the first person perspective. The addition of RPG elements only enhances the title, giving a further point of difference from the main franchise, yet maintaining all the things that make a Sam game fun. Bogus Detour has been a pleasantly surprising game, one that fans of the action hero should have no doubts about buying.

Blockbuster Gaming - Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

Matt Hewson

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