Atari's $59.99 Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 release comes with two adventures: the re-mastered Xbox hit, Escape from Butcher Bay and the all-new Assault on Dark Athena. Both cast you as Riddick (expertly played by Vin Diesel), a heroic murderer with the unique ability to see in darkness. In the enjoyable Escape from Butcher Bay (now with enhanced graphics), Riddick attempts to flee a maximum security prison while shooting guards and monsters. Assault on Dark Athena adds a new adventure as Riddick sneaks through a Merc ship battling Drones and other enemies. Combat works decently enough, thanks to a wide assortment of weapons (shotgun, assault rifle, grenade launcher, combat knife) and the brutal melee attacks let you get up close and personal with your kills.
Dark Athena's linear gameplay, confusing mission objectives (we spent too much time wandering around) and simple AI (it either shoots or retreats), however, left us unimpressed. Developer Starbreeze attempted to add longevity with a multiplayer mode, but only the Pitch Black match type (one player is Riddick and the rest hunt him down) kept us entertained. Overall, however, both games offer plenty of action and the inclusion of Butcher Bay makes this a potential must buy, depending on how much you love the character.
Related Links
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena PS3 Game Guide
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena Xbox 360 Game Guide
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