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. KenE.
    May 25, 2004
    1
    Judging by the demo which I'm sure won't change a bit before release uh...Stiff Control + Jerky/Awkward Animations + Inconsistent framerate due to a graphics engine being used that is too much for the xbox to handle = Big pile of poop!!! Thanks but I'd rather play Nightcaster 2....yeah right this game will make the wait for Halo 2 more bearable. Chronicles will get the Judging by the demo which I'm sure won't change a bit before release uh...Stiff Control + Jerky/Awkward Animations + Inconsistent framerate due to a graphics engine being used that is too much for the xbox to handle = Big pile of poop!!! Thanks but I'd rather play Nightcaster 2....yeah right this game will make the wait for Halo 2 more bearable. Chronicles will get the sleeper hit of the year award… Expand
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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!!
  6. TrevorC.
    Jun 3, 2004
    5
    Alright Jordan A., either you work for Microsoft, or you're the biggest Xbox fanboy I've ever seen. DON'T rate a game before you've even played the full version - you ruin the score for everyone else. I haven't played it myself but I'm posting a 5 to even out the 10's this game has already received by others who haven't even played the real thing. Alright Jordan A., either you work for Microsoft, or you're the biggest Xbox fanboy I've ever seen. DON'T rate a game before you've even played the full version - you ruin the score for everyone else. I haven't played it myself but I'm posting a 5 to even out the 10's this game has already received by others who haven't even played the real thing. What 'average joe' player describes a game as 'wildly ambitious' anyway? .. I smell a fraud.… Expand
  7. 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)
  8. K-Dog
    Jun 4, 2004
    10
    Trevor C. is a tool.
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. LoucasM.
    Sep 17, 2004
    6
    Beautiful game but WAY TOO SHORT with no replay value. A pity it could have been fantastic.
  12. AllanR.
    Sep 3, 2004
    10
    Best game ive ever played hope there is another one coming out soon :):)
  13. 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.
  14. FredB.
    Oct 16, 2006
    10
    I beat it seven times...must I say more.
  15. Gecko
    Jun 10, 2004
    5
    This game is vastly overrated. Visuals are sub-par. Jagged edges abound even with composite cables. Sound is medicore, dialog is poor. Storyline is muddled and cliche. Gameplay is standard fps faire brining nothing new to the table. Wow I can see in the dark, thanks. Stealth concepts are cool but you don't need to use them at all, you can run and gun your way through with little This game is vastly overrated. Visuals are sub-par. Jagged edges abound even with composite cables. Sound is medicore, dialog is poor. Storyline is muddled and cliche. Gameplay is standard fps faire brining nothing new to the table. Wow I can see in the dark, thanks. Stealth concepts are cool but you don't need to use them at all, you can run and gun your way through with little problems, above all that the game lasts 4 hours to complete from start to finish. Ugh, skip this one.… Expand
  16. 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.
  17. LeighM.
    Jun 15, 2004
    10
    Awesome Shooter. Very Well Made. A must Play!!!
  18. Uter
    Jun 18, 2004
    7
    Not sure why, but I'm not all that impressed so far. Also I don't think it's as easy as some of these reviews say - I've died 3-4 times in the 1st half hr.
  19. 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.
  20. TheSoup
    Jun 29, 2004
    7
    The graphics are by far the best I've ever seen in an Xbox game, but once you get over the graphics, the fighting can get really repetitive (especially with the traquilizer gun). My second problem with the game is that it took me roughly six hours to beat it on normal. I definitely suggest renting it before buying it.
  21. BlancoA.
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    Incredibly cool game. And how wierd to see that GameSpot has given such a high score!
  22. 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.
  23. JMAN51
    Jul 8, 2004
    9
    Awesome game, its short but its enjoyable several times through like Halo's campaign.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. 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!
  29. GregA.
    Jun 13, 2004
    10
    Best shooter I've played on Xbox since Halo!
  30. 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
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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.
    Read full review
  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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