The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

 Xbox 360
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 67
  3. Negative: 0 out of 67
  1. IGN
    74
    The first half of the game, Escape from Butcher Bay, certainly 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. Gamervision
    73
    The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena is a suitable sequel to one of last generations best action games, but it fails to innovate in any way. With all the exact same controls, the disc feels more like an expansion pack than a proper sequel, but the graphical upgrades and multiplayer modes ensure that it’s not a rip-off in any way. It’s not nearly the eye-opening experience that its predecessor was, but it’s still a solid stealth title with excellent presentation that’s worth checking out.
  5. GameSpot
    70
    A remade classic and a passable sequel meet in this fun but inconsistent package.
  6. Game Positive
    70
    In the end, you get a great game and a solid sequel in the same package.
  7. ActionTrip
    70
    The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena doesn't know what it's supposed to be. It shifts from being an intense, yet frustrating shooter, to a buggish sneaker. Starbreeze didn't make the most out of this recipe. There's so much wasted potential
  8. Boomtown
    70
    If you haven’t played Butcher Bay before then that will surely be the highlight and the graphical overhaul really disguises the fact that the game is nearly five years old. However, if you’re a fan of the franchise and looking for a true sequel, then it’s ultimately a let down.
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  9. 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.
  10. 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

40
#40 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
51
#51 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
34
#34 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 93
  3. Negative: 5 out of 93
  1. hudnolt
    May 2, 2009
    10
    i never played the first one, i loved both movies and now the games. riddick is easily the coolest character in any movie or game. escape fromi never played the first one, i loved both movies and now the games. riddick is easily the coolest character in any movie or game. escape from butcher bay id give a 9.5/10 and athena 10/10 campain was easily the best campain ive ever played and butcher bay was a close second. Yes the multiplayer did suck but i didnt buy this game for that.… Full Review »
  2. PatrickR
    Apr 21, 2009
    10
    I liked (I didnt LOVE) 'Pitch Black'. I hated (HATED) 'The Chronicals of Riddick'. 'Escape from Butcher Bay' Is I liked (I didnt LOVE) 'Pitch Black'. I hated (HATED) 'The Chronicals of Riddick'. 'Escape from Butcher Bay' Is THE exception to the rule. Not only is it a movie licensed game thats actually better than the movies it's based on, but its downright amazing, especially back when it first released. So here we are, 5 years later. Honestly, i would have bought "Assualt" alone, based soley on it being a sequal to one of the best games i've ever played.... but i would have been disapointed. 'Assault' really feels more like an expansion than anything else. Same controls and basic gameplay with very little changes or innovations, in fact its overall worse than the original... but the fact that they packaged the original makes alll the difference. amazing game then, amazing game now, and just because 'Assault' cant live up to the first in no way makes this a bad game. I give Butcher Bay a 10, Assault an 8, over all package an 18 out of 10.… Full Review »
  3. xXRenTyrellXx
    Sep 11, 2011
    10
    Though the Riddick films are so under appreciated (it's a crime) I speak for real si-fi fans when I say that the Riddick series (video gamesThough the Riddick films are so under appreciated (it's a crime) I speak for real si-fi fans when I say that the Riddick series (video games included) is one of the greatest series of its genre.… Full Review »
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