- Canon position: The Third Encounter directly continues The Second Encounter — it is a mainline sequel, not a prequel or spinoff.
- Core conflict: Sam Stone's fight against Mental's alien armies moves to new alien worlds.
- Key factions: Humanity, Mental's invading forces, and the ancient Sirian civilization drive the lore.
- Release status: The game is in early development; the release date is still TBA on Steam.
- Story sources: Confirmed positioning comes from the official Steam listing and Croteam.
Where The Third Encounter Fits in Serious Sam Canon
The Serious Sam The Third Encounter canon question has one clear answer: this game is positioned as a direct continuation of The Second Encounter. The official Steam listing states plainly that the game follows Sam Stone's adventure established in The Second Encounter, exploring new alien worlds along the way. It is not a reboot, not a prequel, and not a side story.
For long-time fans, this matters. The Serious Sam series has always told a deliberately straightforward, tongue-in-cheek story: Sam "Serious" Stone, humanity's last hope, travels through time and space to dismantle the armies of Mental, a chaotic warlord whose forces have overrun civilizations across the galaxy. The Third Encounter picks up that thread and pushes it forward.
| Series Entry | Canon Role | Relationship to The Third Encounter |
|---|---|---|
| The First Encounter | Story beginning, ancient Egypt | Sets up Sam's time-travel mission |
| The Second Encounter | Direct predecessor | The Third Encounter continues from here |
| Serious Sam 3: BFE | Prequel-era conflict, earlier timeline | Separate arc, not a direct lead-in |
| The Third Encounter | Upcoming mainline sequel | Continues Sam's journey to new alien worlds |
Because Croteam explicitly frames the game as a continuation, timeline discussions should treat The Second Encounter's ending as the launching point for this sequel — not the events of Serious Sam 4 or BFE.
The Core Canon Factions and Figures
Serious Sam canon revolves around a small but memorable cast of forces. Understanding who does what makes the story of The Third Encounter much easier to follow.
Sam Stone
- Humanity's last hope
- Time-traveling super-soldier
- Defined by one-liners and heavy weapons
Mental
- Galactic warlord and final antagonist
- Commands endless alien armies
- Rarely seen, constantly feared
The Sirians
- Ancient advanced civilization
- Left ruins and technology across worlds
- Their legacy connects Egypt to the stars
The Sirian civilization is the connective tissue of the entire canon. Their ancient ruins on Earth — most famously in Egypt — are what allowed humanity and Sam to unlock interstellar and time-travel technology in the first place. Since the Steam listing confirms new alien worlds in The Third Encounter, the Sirian legacy will likely remain central to where Sam travels next.
Mental's forces, meanwhile, provide the endless waves of enemies the series is famous for: Kleer skeletons, Gnaars, Werebulls, biomechanoids, and boss-scale horrors like Ugh-Zan. The horde is not just gameplay filler — in canon, it represents Mental's doctrine of overwhelming any world that resists him.
Speculation about Sam's next destination, new Sirian revelations, or Mental's true form is common in the community. Until Croteam confirms details, treat such ideas as theory, not official lore.
The Serious Sam Timeline at a Glance
The series jumps between time periods, so the canon order can feel confusing. Here is how the mainline story slots together.
| Timeline Point | Event | Canon Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Distant past | Sirian civilization rises and falls | Ruins left on Earth and beyond |
| 22nd century | Mental's forces invade Earth | Humanity near extinction |
| BFE era | Sam fights through Egypt | Early chapter of Sam's campaign |
| The First Encounter | Sam journeys back to ancient Egypt | Pursues Mental through time |
| The Second Encounter | Sam's chase continues through new regions | Ends with the journey unfinished |
| The Third Encounter | Sam pushes into alien worlds | Upcoming — details TBA |
Earth Falls to Mental
Humanity's colonies and homeworld are overrun, leaving Sam as the last viable defender with Sirian-derived technology.
Sam Enters the Time Stream
Using the Sirian time-lock, Sam travels to ancient Egypt to reach the Sirian mothership and pursue Mental at the source.
The Chase Across Regions
The First and Second Encounters follow Sam's pursuit across changing landscapes, with Mental's armies constant at every step.
New Alien Worlds
The Third Encounter continues the chase beyond prior settings, confirmed by the official Steam description.
The Third Encounter is still in early development. The Steam page lists the release date as To Be Announced, so specific story beats, level names, and endings remain unconfirmed as of October 2026.
What the Official Sources Confirm
Sticking to verified information is the backbone of good canon coverage. As of this writing, the confirmed facts about The Third Encounter's story are limited but meaningful.
| Confirmed Detail | Source |
|---|---|
| Direct sequel to The Second Encounter | Steam official description |
| New alien worlds to explore | Steam official description |
| Developer: Croteam | Steam / Croteam official |
| Publisher: Devolver Digital | Steam official |
| Solo, online co-op, and shared/split-screen co-op | Steam feature list |
| Classic run-and-gun FPS style | Steam / Croteam positioning |
Everything beyond this — enemy rosters, weapon lists, level counts, boss names, ending details — remains officially unannounced. A responsible canon guide separates what is confirmed from what is anticipated.
Canon Facts to Track as Development Continues:
- Official story synopsis from Croteam
- Named alien worlds and level settings
- Any returning characters beyond Sam
- Mental's role and appearance in the plot
- Connections to Sirian lore revealed in trailers
Follow the official Steam page and Croteam's channels for story reveals. Every confirmed detail will slot directly into the continuation-of-The-Second-Encounter framework.
FAQ
Q: Is Serious Sam The Third Encounter canon to the main series?
Yes. The official Steam listing positions it as a direct continuation of The Second Encounter, making it part of the mainline canon rather than a spinoff or reboot.
Q: Do I need to play The Second Encounter first to understand the story?
It helps. The Third Encounter continues Sam's pursuit of Mental from where The Second Encounter left off, so knowing that journey gives the sequel's events proper context.
Q: Does the game take place after Serious Sam 3: BFE?
Serious Sam 3 sits earlier in Sam's overall campaign. The Third Encounter specifically continues The Second Encounter's storyline, not the BFE arc.
Q: Will the Sirians appear in The Third Encounter?
Nothing is confirmed yet. However, since the game explores new alien worlds and Sirian technology drives the series' premise, their legacy is expected to remain part of the lore.