The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
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  1. IGN
    74
    The first half of the game, Escape from Butcher Bay, certain shows its age, but is still an innovative game. The sequel, however, comes off as a poor imitation. It's far more frustrating and seems more shooter than anything else. It's not a terrible game for a sequel, but it's inferior to Butcher Bay.
  2. SpazioGames
    74
    The remake of Butcher Bay is a great work: a classic game with enhanced graphics and the same great gameplay... despite this the new story, Escape From Dark Athena, is simply pointless. Multiplayer quality is too far from today standards, so it results in a valueless feature.
  3. Thunderbolt
    70
    Ultimately, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is a decent overall package that succeeds more due to the remastering of quiet classic Butcher Bay than the somewhat disappointing more recent episode Dark Athena.
  5. GameSpot
    70
    A remade classic and a passable sequel meet in this fun but inconsistent package.
  6. Eurogamer
    70
    Assault on Dark Athena certainly isn't the next-generation sequel it deserved, and compared to the cream of the current shooter crop it's an average effort. In trying to make it consistent with its five-years-old predecessor, Starbreeze has effectively crafted a game that is inescapably and fundamentally outdated.
  7. games(TM)
    70
    Overall, you're getting two full games here, both involving and complex - if not a little dated - and well worth your money. [May 2009, p.104]
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  8. Game Positive
    70
    In the end, you get a great game and a solid sequel in the same package.
  9. Eurogamer Spain
    70
    As a whole, the product is quite recommendable, but it's ironic that what was supposed to be the main attraction, Assault on Dark Athena, is also is worst part from the package.
  10. Absolute Games
    70
    Akella, Russian distributor of the game, pulled a crazy marketing stunt. In addition to the regular PC release, it sells the game as two independent halves – Escape from Butcher Bay and Assault on Dark Athena. My gut reaction was to scold Akella for greediness, but now I see that this is an unintentional benefit. You buy the remake of one of the best action games of 2004, and forget about its defective 6-hour appendage.
  11. Armchair Empire
    70
    For players who missed out on the original Butcher Bay, now is the perfect opportunity to take part in the interstellar jailbreak and the following pirate raid making up its second half.
  12. 1UP
    67
    As a product, this package is recommendable to anyone who hasn't experienced the first game, or wishes to add it back to their current library. It also includes a surprisingly fun multiplayer suite, with the Riddick vs. Everyone Else mode "Pitch Black" as the main attraction. But as single-player games, the unsatisfying Dark Athena should be played as a curiosity and then put back where it belongs: in Butcher Bay's shadow.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best PS3 Game of 2009
77
#77 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
100
#100 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 54
  3. Negative: 3 out of 54
  1. PeterH
    May 23, 2009
    10
    This one surprised me. On the surface, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena looks like your everyday first-person shooter and This one surprised me. On the surface, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena looks like your everyday first-person shooter and you'll probably think that for a little while at the beginning of the game, too, but after you play it for a little while, you won't be able to put the controller down.… Full Review »
  2. MatthewW
    Apr 22, 2009
    10
    One of the best game of the last 5 years, this game was criminally overlooked in 2004 on the xbox but it is back with a beautiful graphics One of the best game of the last 5 years, this game was criminally overlooked in 2004 on the xbox but it is back with a beautiful graphics update and a amazing new chapter. This game is worth every penny and more, even if you played the original butcher bay this is worth the price to play, trust me.… Full Review »
  3. BleedingJester
    May 2, 2023
    9
    comes with 2 games and they are honestly better then they had any right to be and are definitley some of the best Licensed games I've ever played
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