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. rcoberle54
    Nov 7, 2020
    7
    I just finished this on PS3 as it was included with my copy of Dark Athena. Did this not come out on PS2 originally? Maybe that's why I never played it as a kid.

    Anyways I was really impressed with how far ahead of its time this game was. It is a first person shooter/stealth game with RPG and platforming and survival-horror elements. It honestly reminded me of Fallout (years before that    I just finished this on PS3 as it was included with my copy of Dark Athena. Did this not come out on PS2 originally? Maybe that's why I never played it as a kid.

    Anyways I was really impressed with how far ahead of its time this game was. It is a first person shooter/stealth game with RPG and platforming and survival-horror elements. It honestly reminded me of Fallout (years before that franchise went to first person shooter/RPG), Dishonored, and Prey. I was really impressed with the physics of this game. The dead body dragging stuff was really next level. I was impressed with the scope of this game especially considering it was a movie tie-in game that came out in 2004. They didn't have to go as big as they did but I'm glad they did. It's a fun game that moves quickly and there is a lot to explore. It's fairly linear but not wholly and it never feels like you are rehashing the same corridors over and over. Some of the graphical things were really impressive for the time too like how you will occasionally see Riddick's shadow based on the player movement and lighting.

    But overall the graphics don't hold up and the textures and polygons mostly look like crap now. I did like the colors and overall design of this game. The characters' mouths moving when speaking is probably the worst offender of "past graphics that don't hold up" in this game.

    The voice cast features plenty of actors/characters from the movies as well as a couple of big names from the industry. However, it felt like the game didn't get the most out of its cast. So many of the actors just sounded so sleepy during the whole thing.

    As impressive as the physics were it seemed like you never had to use the dead body drag mechanic all that much. The AI was smart, almost too smart. Any time I tried stealth they would spot you immediately. You would barely peak out of a corner and the guards would start blasting you. This caused me to basically abandon stealth all together and basically speed run the game. I liked that there were little RPG style fetch quest side missions, but I played the game fairly linearly and before I knew it I was escaping from Butcher Bay and the credits were rolling. I never got a chance to return some of the items I found along the way because the game didn't bring me back to the spot where I accepted the quest. I guess that's on me for assuming it would.

    Overall this was a really impressive game given the year it came out and the type of game it was. It reminded me of so many modern games I've played in the last 10 years or so. It was fun, interesting, and a breeze to get through. I'm really glad a copy of this was included with my PS3 version of Dark Athena because the obsessive compulsive completionist in me felt like I had to play the first game first. It's better than most movie games you will come across, but it's not without its pitfalls. Onto Dark Athena now.    … Expand
  2. Asperiae
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    Possibly the best FPS game ever made or at least a good contender for that title. Everything from the gameplay mechanics to the story and the art direction make EFBB an unforgettable experience that transcends the video game medium.
  3. mralexander
    May 21, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. a great game with excellent graphics for its time.while the scenes during the conversation may look dated.still if like fps games or sci fi settings this is the game for you… Expand
  4. 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!
  5. 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 games included) is one of the greatest series of its genre.
  6. VicT.
    Dec 6, 2007
    10
    THIS is how movie-to-game transitions should be done!
  7. FredB.
    Oct 16, 2006
    10
    I beat it seven times...must I say more.
  8. MattT.
    Oct 11, 2006
    9
    Riddick is a very original game. One of the best of its era.
  9. HansA.
    Sep 30, 2006
    7
    This is a ridiclously gory video game. I like it a lot though and I play it with my son very often if it's not too late.
  10. Nick
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    Amazing, definatly one of the best games evermade, this game, made in mid 2004, has enough graphics capability to be on the xbox 360, i am amazed, it is up there with halo and oblivian, and the weapons are sooo fun.
  11. 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.
  12. JodyM.
    Nov 14, 2005
    9
    Quite brilliant, its a game of such variety to please all genre likers. If your looking for a shooter, a beat em up and a stealth game rolled into one, look no further!
  13. ApocalyseB.
    Aug 29, 2005
    8
    Normally this would have got an nine for instant, gripping fun and violent gameplay but the bugs spoil it a bit. Appalling loading times within levels and 'bland' graphics dampened my joy of riddick but in truth by the blood-soaked end you're baying for more! Short? Too much action to notice! I still talk about this game to this day, its great!
  14. 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.
  15. Alex
    Jul 27, 2005
    9
    A very fun, very good looking game. too bad its kinda short. if the developers had just added mulitplayer, this could have quite possibly been better than both Halos.
  16. VideoGamer
    May 17, 2005
    10
    This is one of the best or maybe even the best action game on the Xbox. The grapchics in the game are the best I´ve seen on the system and the sounds, especially the music and the voice acting, are great too. The game controlls well and the storyline is interesting to follow. The game is a little on the short side, but it has a lot of replay value. For me this is the best game on This is one of the best or maybe even the best action game on the Xbox. The grapchics in the game are the best I´ve seen on the system and the sounds, especially the music and the voice acting, are great too. The game controlls well and the storyline is interesting to follow. The game is a little on the short side, but it has a lot of replay value. For me this is the best game on the Xbox up to date.… Expand
  17. NickT
    May 16, 2005
    9
    If this game had been a few hours longer and the different abilities had been put to a bit of more use, CoR could have been the GotY for XBOX. This game, with its amazing graphics and easily accessible controls sets THE precedent for games based off of movie licenses. Considering that it can be bought for lower $20, it can't be missed. Play it and enjoy it.
  18. Slam
    May 2, 2005
    10
    Now this was a surprise - a licensed game of a movie that's actually good. No, let me correct myself, it's excellent. Some of the best graphics and sound I've seen on the Xbox, coupled with a slick interface and a great storyline. This title screams atmosphere, and a big thumbs up to Vivendi for doing such a good job, where so many others have failed. Man, you can get this Now this was a surprise - a licensed game of a movie that's actually good. No, let me correct myself, it's excellent. Some of the best graphics and sound I've seen on the Xbox, coupled with a slick interface and a great storyline. This title screams atmosphere, and a big thumbs up to Vivendi for doing such a good job, where so many others have failed. Man, you can get this for $20 now, and that's a steal. Buy it now.… Expand
  19. 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.
  20. Wongit
    Jan 9, 2005
    9
    Amazing, best game i have ever seen...great gameplay. only downside is its waaaaaay to short. this is the first time i been craving more of such a magnificent game.
  21. LoucasM.
    Sep 17, 2004
    6
    Beautiful game but WAY TOO SHORT with no replay value. A pity it could have been fantastic.
  22. AllanR.
    Sep 3, 2004
    10
    Best game ive ever played hope there is another one coming out soon :):)
  23. Chad
    Aug 12, 2004
    9
    Great game if they would have added a little hint of and rpg game to it would have been better. But overall it is a Great game.
  24. Batman
    Aug 8, 2004
    9
    Cool game...except short and no multiplayer...so it doesn't realy have much replay value.
  25. EricB.
    Jul 17, 2004
    9
    Wow I just love this game it is very adventurous and exciting. The details on it are superb. You can do so many things for instance go up behind someone and brake there neck. I mean really how many games can you do that in. It isnt Halo but it sure is a hell of alot of fun.
  26. KevinF.
    Jul 15, 2004
    7
    Entertaining but linear, like most first-person shooters
  27. 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.
  28. JohnS.
    Jul 11, 2004
    9
    It's more of a rental (not much re-play value), but what a helluva game. I was baffled by the ecstatic reviews until the last 8 hours or so of gameplay -- those are incredible. Much of those levels are the spooky atmosphere and great graphics that "Doom III" is promising with an echo of the "Half Life 1" (soldiers/aliens are both after you -- so run and fire) storyline. It also has It's more of a rental (not much re-play value), but what a helluva game. I was baffled by the ecstatic reviews until the last 8 hours or so of gameplay -- those are incredible. Much of those levels are the spooky atmosphere and great graphics that "Doom III" is promising with an echo of the "Half Life 1" (soldiers/aliens are both after you -- so run and fire) storyline. It also has an original concept of starting as a shooter, turning into a street fighting game with RPG elements, then a stealth game, then a mix, then finishing with guns-blazing non-stop action. Very usunual, but very good. Like "Buffy", this is the among the best franchise games I've ever played on any system.… Expand
  29. JMAN51
    Jul 8, 2004
    9
    Awesome game, its short but its enjoyable several times through like Halo's campaign.
  30. 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.
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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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