What you need to know
- Serious Sam 4 made its debut back on PC and Google Stadia in 2020, but an exclusivity deal on the latter prevented an imminent console release.
- Developer Croteam previously confirmed plans for a console debut in 2021, with the game now making a surprise appearance via Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
- It's currently only available for PC, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S consoles, with no indication of an Xbox One console release.
Serious Sam 4 is the latest addition to the once iconic FPS series that has not really stood the test of time. Often dubbed the first-person "bullet-hell" shooter, and while true for Serious Sam 4, a less-than-appealing protagonist and story don't do it any favors, when we reviewed its PC version last year.
Its Xbox Game Pass arrival has first surfaced via the Xbox Game Pass app, detailing a Dec. 7 release for the game. While available via Xbox Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S and PC, plus Xbox Cloud Gaming, the game is currently unavailable natively on Xbox One consoles.
Released in 2020 prior to the launch of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, developer Croteam was unable to release an immediate port of Serious Sam 4 to the PS4 and Xbox One due to an exclusivity deal with Google Stadia, according to a statement given to Kotaku. Croteam did confirm that the game would come to PS4 and Xbox One when the exclusivity with Google Stadia lapsed at an unspecified date.
On Xbox Series X|S consoles, the game weighs 30GB, which is a modest amount of space in a world with shooters hitting triple-digit file sizes. Its arrival on Xbox Game Pass is an unexpected addition to the service, delivering upon Croteam's promise for its 2021 console debut.
As a free game on the Xbox, it's worth a try.
Serious Sam 4 is the latest entry in the classic bullet-hell shooter. Its arrival on Xbox Series X|S consoles as a surprise Xbox Game Pass entry warrants a quick trip for some over-the-top action.
