You need to pay attention to the traditional enemies with the guns, and they're easy to plan for. Then you hear the sounds of the galloping, skeletal monstrosities that lunge at you when they get close. While you're moving and firing in order to survive those two waves, you'll notice the screaming sounds of the kamikazes, so you'll have to make sure you're spinning around and taking them out before they get close. It's all quite stressful, and I found myself playing with bunched muscles and white knuckles. When the game saves your progress after each set piece, it's finally time to breathe out.

Did I mention that there is no cover system? And your health will not regenerate?

Fortunately, Sam can carry every gun in the game at the same time, so you can switch between them at will. How can he do this? Shut up, that's how.

This game is hard, but the sense of fun and the unending action and suspense are both commendable. This is the game Duke Nukem Forever should have been and, for now, we're just glad it's here.

Serious Sam 3: BFE is coming to the PC this summer. The developers have not been announced what "BFE" stands for.