The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

 PlayStation 3
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
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  1. 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 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.
  2. 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 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.
  3. RacN
    Sep 30, 2015
    7
    This is not a game. It's a bundle! Along with Assault on Dark Athenea it comes with a HD remaster of Escape from Butcher Bay. Both of these games are good but I struggled to find any sort of multiplayer match and the graphics aren't. This game deserves more praise and if you have spare time, go and play it.
  4. CodyB
    Apr 7, 2009
    10
    Worth every penny. I loved Butcher Bay 5 years ago, and this is just as good now as it was then. I started with butcher bay and moved into Athena. It was a great gaming experience! Like I said, worth every penny.
  5. FPSMaster
    Apr 16, 2009
    7
    This is a hard game to score. Butcher Bay was my favorite game last generation and it's on this disc. It's better looking and a few things have been added. It's still top-notch, although graphically not as groundbreaking as it was 5 years ago even with the new graphics. Dark Athena on the other hand is the exact opposite in most ways. It looks a little better than Butcher This is a hard game to score. Butcher Bay was my favorite game last generation and it's on this disc. It's better looking and a few things have been added. It's still top-notch, although graphically not as groundbreaking as it was 5 years ago even with the new graphics. Dark Athena on the other hand is the exact opposite in most ways. It looks a little better than Butcher Bay, but being a totally new game it isn't up to the standadrs gamers expect in 2009. The entire game, especially later outdoor levels, are awfully thrown together. It just has a completely tacked on to Butcher Bay feeling and will disappointment most fans. It's almost all shooting too, so non Riddick fans are going to put it right down since it doesn't really excel as a shooter. The multiplayer is tacked on also, so I doubt anyone will play it long. But it does have a cool Pitch Black mode that's fun for a few rounds. All in all, a pretty good package. Not as good as The Orange Box deal which everyone keeps comparing it to though. The 5 year old remake is the star of the show here while th other 2 offerings are nothing more than tacked on to give an impression of longer playtime. Only play or buy if you love Butcher Bay or want to try it. The rest is mediocre.… Expand
  6. CodyB.
    Jun 25, 2009
    9
    When game informer; the world's number one video game magazine, rated this game a 9.5, I was like wtf, that puts a movie game in the category alongside max payne (9.5), devil may cry (9.5), kingdom hearts (9.5), metal gear solid 3 snake eater (9.5), okami (9.5), assassin's creed (9.5), oblivion (9.5), and so on. So I gave this game a chance since I know game informer is always When game informer; the world's number one video game magazine, rated this game a 9.5, I was like wtf, that puts a movie game in the category alongside max payne (9.5), devil may cry (9.5), kingdom hearts (9.5), metal gear solid 3 snake eater (9.5), okami (9.5), assassin's creed (9.5), oblivion (9.5), and so on. So I gave this game a chance since I know game informer is always right, this was beyond what I expected; an epic sci-fi world in space, good gameplay, delicious graphics, and the main character riddick (do I need to explain why?). You put all these together and you have yourself a good 12-15 hours experience.… Expand
  7. Cmcolin
    Jan 23, 2013
    8
    An excellent shooter with a great storyline and terrific voice-acting. "Dark Athena" is an exceptional entry into the Riddick mythology. The graphics and atmosphere are near perfect and the controls are solid. The only thing that keeps the score under 9/10 is the fact that the game is a little short. Another big selling point is the fact that a remastered version of the great "EscapeAn excellent shooter with a great storyline and terrific voice-acting. "Dark Athena" is an exceptional entry into the Riddick mythology. The graphics and atmosphere are near perfect and the controls are solid. The only thing that keeps the score under 9/10 is the fact that the game is a little short. Another big selling point is the fact that a remastered version of the great "Escape from Butcher Bay" is included with this game - making it a two-for-one deal. Anyone who has never tried the Riddick games would do well to give this package a spin.… Expand
  8. CHEESEDBEEF
    Mar 27, 2015
    8
    Best thing about this game is it still holds up in 2015. I've been playing recently and am really enjoying it.
    Its not your typical FPS, but leans more towards the stealth approach. I'm not sure if all versions of Dark Athena are the same but mine came with a Revamp of butchers bay which looks amazing, so there's 2 good length games here for a very cheap price nowadays. best thing is the    Best thing about this game is it still holds up in 2015. I've been playing recently and am really enjoying it.
    Its not your typical FPS, but leans more towards the stealth approach. I'm not sure if all versions of Dark Athena are the same but mine came with a Revamp of butchers bay which looks amazing, so there's 2 good length games here for a very cheap price nowadays. best thing is the game has its own story and that is why its so enjoyable, its not tied down to the movie script so there is a lot you wont be expecting when progressing the story. stealth mechanics are awesome in this game, stick to the shadows like Sam Fisher and lunge at your enemy before disappearing to find the next. This game for me, provided a fair challenge. Im not into rage games like Dark Souls but this wasn't the easiest game on normal difficulty so I enjoyed it for that. For me its a great first person stealth game with epic voice acting from vin diesel, and feels kind of like a more linear steampunky deus ex style fpsrpg.    … Expand
  9. rcoberle54
    Nov 11, 2020
    8
    I'm not sure if Dark Athena used the original UI and HUD of Butcher Bay or if when they ported Bay to PS3 if they updated it to match Dark Athena. Either way the fact that this game uses the same UI and HUD as the first game made it feel more like an expansion DLC or remaster instead of a true sequel and its own game.

    However everything about this game is a step up from its predecessor.    I'm not sure if Dark Athena used the original UI and HUD of Butcher Bay or if when they ported Bay to PS3 if they updated it to match Dark Athena. Either way the fact that this game uses the same UI and HUD as the first game made it feel more like an expansion DLC or remaster instead of a true sequel and its own game.

    However everything about this game is a step up from its predecessor. The graphics, stealth mechanics, shooting, level design, finish animations are all a notch above the previous installment which ultimately creates a more satisfying experience. Even Diesel's voice work in this sounds better. Basically every aspect of this game feels refined and a bit more polished.

    However, this game needed some sort of added feature or mechanic. There was nothing new about the gameplay, it was all just done a bit better. It needed some sort of Arkham predator mode vision, or a weapon upgrade system or something. The fact it had no major new mechanic added to it feeling like more of an expansion DLC with upgraded graphics rather than a true sequel. I suppose this did have a multiplayer component that I was not able to play since it's 2020, more than decade since the initial release, and I have no doubt that the servers are either offline or completely dead. The multiplayer was probably the new big feature of this game they were touting but since I'm not able to review that I'm strictly speaking about the single player campaign. It just needed something new.

    This was still a blast and a breeze. The only element that seemed to take a back seat this time around was the RPG side quest element. Which is forgivable because everything else was done so well. There were two segments that particularly stuck out as being incredible and that was the spot light elevator segment with the platforming element and the gravity well bit. The physics in this game again is next level and so satisfying to play around with.

    The stealth was a lot more satisfying this time around too. I'm not sure if I missed it in Butcher Bay, but I discovered you can shoot out the lights in this game creating more darkness and more stealth opportunities. I felt it was easier to stay in the shadows this time and have a little more freedom of how I approached certain segments. The level design is partly to thank for the upgraded stealth too as it naturally had more shadows at times. The AI felt a little more forgiving this time around. But ultimately it felt like there were segments that made it near impossible to go stealth and it felt like the game forced you to blast your way through the levels with shotgun and assault rifle in tow. When those moments happen it makes the whole stealth aspect and Riddick's strongest characteristic feel like a moot point.

    I find it interesting that they released a Riddick game in 2009, 5 years after the last movie which bombed hard. Were people really clamoring for more Riddick action in 2009? Regardless I would really like to see a sequel to this franchise on PS5. Maybe if the 4th movie ever comes out interest in this franchise and intellectual property will spike. I'd like to see upgrades to your character and weapons via a skill tree. I'd like to see a little more RPG elements and a tad more satisfying stealth experience.

    O also this game gets bonus points for actually being able to dual wield the bladed weapons on the cover of the game. Butcher Bay failed to deliver on that promise.    … Expand
  10. 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

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
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  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    80
    It's absolutely worth bearing in mind when weighing up a purchase: you're getting two full games here, both dark and complex, and both well worth playing. [Mar 2009, p.86]
  3. PSW Magazine UK
    80
    The chassis of Dark Athena is five years old and it makes for a safe and at times a predictable experience. Still, this is a Credit Crunch-busting package, and it's highly recommended...Reminds me why I love the original. The best thing Vin's done. [Apr 2009, p.91]
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