The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay

 Xbox
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 117
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 117
  3. Negative: 2 out of 117
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  1. savagejoe444
    Jun 1, 2013
    10
    Been a Riddick fan since the film Pitch Black and this game doesn't disappoint at all! Great stealth mechanics, good story, and an awesome prequel to the Riddick franchise!
  2. BiadB.
    Jul 3, 2004
    8
    WOOO! What a sleeper..... never expected good things from this game. Graphics are great but it is the shadow effects that gets the most attention. It really creates an incredible atmosphere. If the game was something like 15-20 hours and with more innovative touches, this one would have gotten a 10 from me.
  3. BrianK.
    May 30, 2004
    9
    I also played this game on Official Xbox Magazine's demo disc and I have to say it is the best looking game on the xbox!!! Good controls and very fun!! Pick it up!!
  4. Jay
    Jun 4, 2004
    10
    Best Game on Xbox so far this year. Ken E and Trevor C should stick with PS2 games and let the big boys play on Xbox. Great Graphics, Great game play, and I have played the full version. (p.s. Watch Pitch Black before you play this game. It's a great reminder of how cool the Riddick character is)
  5. K-Dog
    Jun 4, 2004
    10
    Trevor C. is a tool.
  6. ChazD.
    Jun 4, 2004
    10
    Truly a great title. I must say though, I feel this game may steal a bit of the thunder from Doom 3, seeing as to how they use such similar graphic engines and techniques. I agree that Gamespot giving the highest score is not at all typical, but, from the reviews I've read, Gamespot was the only one that rated it for what it was and not what they thought it should be. "Too short, no Truly a great title. I must say though, I feel this game may steal a bit of the thunder from Doom 3, seeing as to how they use such similar graphic engines and techniques. I agree that Gamespot giving the highest score is not at all typical, but, from the reviews I've read, Gamespot was the only one that rated it for what it was and not what they thought it should be. "Too short, no multiplayer" - get over it! This game is exactly what it sets out to be: a tight, focused single player experience with technical mastery as impressive as Star War's release in the 70's.… Expand
  7. SloopydrewZ.
    Jun 6, 2004
    8
    The game is fun. If you're a fan of FPS games, you'll have a great 7 or 8 hours. But that's the problem: $50 for 7 hours of play is highway robbery. Control: 8.9 Switching weapons (press y, pull trigger) is a pain. Graphics: 8.8 The game IS pretty, but the graphics are sometimes blurred, there's a lot of poor collision detection and an abundance of jaggies. A good The game is fun. If you're a fan of FPS games, you'll have a great 7 or 8 hours. But that's the problem: $50 for 7 hours of play is highway robbery. Control: 8.9 Switching weapons (press y, pull trigger) is a pain. Graphics: 8.8 The game IS pretty, but the graphics are sometimes blurred, there's a lot of poor collision detection and an abundance of jaggies. A good looking game, but overhyped. Both Halo and Metroid Prime are better looking shooters. Fun Factor: 9.8. Seriously fun to play. Replay Value: 1. No reason to go back after the 7 or 8 hours is over. A few extra pieces of concept art doesn't make it worth the trip.… Expand
  8. AllanR.
    Sep 3, 2004
    10
    Best game ive ever played hope there is another one coming out soon :):)
  9. ShurdaB.
    Apr 10, 2005
    10
    Great graphics and gameplay, even unarmed combat and close combat is fun! Even with Doom 3 out, this game still is top of the FPS games!! If youre into FPS games get this one now! Im not that into the genre but still loved this one, the only downside is the lack of multiplayer modes.
  10. FredB.
    Oct 16, 2006
    10
    I beat it seven times...must I say more.
  11. BenZ.
    Jun 12, 2004
    9
    WOW. For the first time i remember, a game that's at least three times as good as the movie it's based on. Yeah, you heard me correctly... forget the movie ever existed and play the game.
  12. LeighM.
    Jun 15, 2004
    10
    Awesome Shooter. Very Well Made. A must Play!!!
  13. SteveP.
    Jun 21, 2004
    9
    Graphics are top notch, gameplay is excellent and it's longer and more difficult than other reviews have stated. One of the most addictive games I have played this year. To Gecko, I suggest playing the final version of the game and not the demo before offering your review. Anyone who has played the final version won't be critical of the graphics or the sound.
  14. BlancoA.
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    Incredibly cool game. And how wierd to see that GameSpot has given such a high score!
  15. LisaS.
    Jul 15, 2004
    9
    This game has the best graphics ever seen on a console. I played lots of games and my favourite game always was half-life. But the chronicles of Riddick is far better. It realy Gives you the idea of playing the main carachter in a movie. Cool.
  16. JMAN51
    Jul 8, 2004
    9
    Awesome game, its short but its enjoyable several times through like Halo's campaign.
  17. Primal
    Aug 9, 2005
    9
    Butcher Bay is the best movie game i've ever seen in my life. the only problems i have with Butcher Bay is the otherwise beautiful graphics sometimes become very grainy and rough for no reason what-so-ever, and the rag-doll physics have a few awkward bugs (a lot of defoming heads and shaking bodies). but, for $15, you can't find a better shooter out there.
  18. SteveH.
    Jun 2, 2006
    9
    Excellent game. A real sleeper hit and easily the best movie tie-in game. Loved it and hoping this team can do the same again.
  19. JordanA.
    May 11, 2004
    10
    Even though this game hasn't come out yet, I have seen what it is capable of. I subscribe to Official Xbox Magazine and in their April issue they had an article on this wildly ambitious sleeper hit, it has probably the best graphics on Xbox. There are so many cool things you can do, you can have brutal fistfights with enemies and leave their face mangled, you can snap their necks,or Even though this game hasn't come out yet, I have seen what it is capable of. I subscribe to Official Xbox Magazine and in their April issue they had an article on this wildly ambitious sleeper hit, it has probably the best graphics on Xbox. There are so many cool things you can do, you can have brutal fistfights with enemies and leave their face mangled, you can snap their necks,or if they have a weapon you can turn it on them ang drive their knife,screwdriver,etc. throught their skull or put the barrel of their gun under the baddie's chin and blow his brains out. Another cool thing you can do is drag the enemie's bodie into grinders. This game has elements of first-person stealth,shooter,and fighter. I have just recieved OXM's new June issue and it has a playable demo of this game and it kicks ASS!! I guarantee you that this game is sure to be a hit!… Expand
  20. JuanR.
    May 30, 2004
    10
    This game kicks ass! I downloaded a copy to my Xbox, and it is so awesome! I can't wait until it comes out to buy it!
  21. GregA.
    Jun 13, 2004
    10
    Best shooter I've played on Xbox since Halo!
  22. ExcitedMan
    Jun 14, 2004
    10
    I got this game after the high reviews and hot screen shots. it is so much better than i expected it to be, this game ROCKS!!!. let me start by saying, go buy this game now. owning an xbox and not buying this game is unforgivable. even though you hate fps and stealth, this game is a work of art that needs to be experienced. lets talk about the cool things: you can beat people up and seeI got this game after the high reviews and hot screen shots. it is so much better than i expected it to be, this game ROCKS!!!. let me start by saying, go buy this game now. owning an xbox and not buying this game is unforgivable. even though you hate fps and stealth, this game is a work of art that needs to be experienced. lets talk about the cool things: you can beat people up and see their faces all get bloody and bruised. rag doll effects in death and fight and body drag situations. you can sneak from behind and stick a screw driver in some bastards neck, blood sparying all over. you can throw the victims body over a ledge. the profanity in this game is overwhelmingly fun. you can hang out in the jail, talk to people and do favors for them such as finding things and beating up other inmates. graphics are better than halo...yup you heard me correct. hell, the games menu system alone is better than most xbox games out there; you have to see it to understand this. the stealth move and hide is also great and works well. the guns are nice and feel heavy, one bullet head shots and brain meets wall stuff is here and alive. you can grab a guards gun if you do it right, you can use his gun to blow his frickin head off, i mean come on!!!...thats cool. the colors, lighting and production design is so elegant and well done that i felt like i was there-in this kick ass sci-fi world...where you feel compasion and hate towards charachters, where you get scared and feel heroic at times, where you realize how big and fricking cool this prison you are in looks and is and how much brain gook you need to splatter to escape it.....riddick has set the new standard in action games. along with halo and splinter cell, riddick sits there high on top.… Expand
  23. MatthieuR.
    Jun 15, 2004
    9
    Okay, to the pasty-faced troglodyte who mentioned that this game has sub-par graphics, what on earth are you talking about? Yes, there are times (cut-scenes, mostly), when Anti-aliasing was impossible, but overall this is one of 5 best-looking games EVER on a console. The story/immersion factor are very effective. I am sick and tired of the Uber-complicated backstories found in most Okay, to the pasty-faced troglodyte who mentioned that this game has sub-par graphics, what on earth are you talking about? Yes, there are times (cut-scenes, mostly), when Anti-aliasing was impossible, but overall this is one of 5 best-looking games EVER on a console. The story/immersion factor are very effective. I am sick and tired of the Uber-complicated backstories found in most RPG's (In the year 4556 after the fall of xvaydfr the great, the black dwarves carved a magic nose-picker, and this they named ungaboor, etc). Most of all, this game made Butcher Bay feel alive (much like Vvardenfel felt alive in Morrowind) . It was a bit too linear and a bit short (though not nearly as short or easy as everyone claims). Seems that everyone is complaining about how short games are nowadays; good god, remember Super Mario? You could beat that game in half and hour tops! Overall, this is a very fun and engrossing game.… Expand
  24. MarkB.
    Jun 15, 2004
    9
    I don't often participate in game rankings but, a game of this calibre deserves recognition. Arguably the best game on the Xbox to date! Show the developers that we want more, the only way you can buy it!
  25. RedE.
    Jun 25, 2004
    9
    I like it, i like it a lot, but i wish it had multi play. i can also look past the jaggies, the gameplay and the story make up for it.
  26. Vinny
    Jun 28, 2004
    10
    Stands with Halo and Splinter Cell as the very best games for the Xbox.
  27. BillG.
    Jun 28, 2004
    10
    The best Xbox game I´ve ever seen/played!
  28. K.Foss
    Jun 5, 2004
    10
    Awesome for a console... this game truly shows that with the right devolpement how far you can push the Xbox hardware, graphics are insane and the story is well put together and tweaked... and the action never stops there's always somthing to do and somthing to hide from.
  29. Railer
    Jun 6, 2004
    9
    "and please don't rate games based on hype..." I would rather say "and please don't rate games based on demos..." Since the frame rate issues DOES NOT exist in the retail version.
  30. TimB.
    Jun 6, 2004
    9
    I just bought this game and previously played the demo. The frame-rate problem seems to have been fixed and the choppy animations smoothed out. I personally prefer a stealth game to be in 3rd person, but despite this, the game seems to conpensate with new ideas in 1st person control. The only real problem I have with the 1st person perspective is jumping and grasping, which is more I just bought this game and previously played the demo. The frame-rate problem seems to have been fixed and the choppy animations smoothed out. I personally prefer a stealth game to be in 3rd person, but despite this, the game seems to conpensate with new ideas in 1st person control. The only real problem I have with the 1st person perspective is jumping and grasping, which is more difficult when you can't see the character you control. I would also like to address the fact that no one seems to be conserned with the bias of those who have judged this game as bad. A rating of 1, Ken E.? Whatever concerns you may have with frame-rate or awkward animations, very few games deserve a rating of 1.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Xbox Game of 2004
7
#7 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
25
#25 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 84 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 84
  3. Negative: 0 out of 84
  1. Console Gameworld
    91
    A finely crafted gaming experience that will not soon be duplicated. The action, script and presentation are all worthy of the highest praise.
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  2. Da Gameboyz
    90
    Butcher Bay soundly defeats "Halo" and takes it's place as FPS of this generation.
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  3. Total Video Games
    90
    Merges both action and stealth perfectly to create a completely enthralling experience. Whereas it's a definite split between the two in most other titles, Butcher Bay fuses the two seamlessly, resulting in an entirely satisfying experience that plays wonderfully.
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