User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 2 out of 117
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. 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)
  2. K-Dog
    Jun 4, 2004
    10
    Trevor C. is a tool.
  3. 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
  4. AllanR.
    Sep 3, 2004
    10
    Best game ive ever played hope there is another one coming out soon :):)
  5. 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.
  6. FredB.
    Oct 16, 2006
    10
    I beat it seven times...must I say more.
  7. LeighM.
    Jun 15, 2004
    10
    Awesome Shooter. Very Well Made. A must Play!!!
  8. BlancoA.
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    Incredibly cool game. And how wierd to see that GameSpot has given such a high score!
  9. 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
  10. 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!
  11. GregA.
    Jun 13, 2004
    10
    Best shooter I've played on Xbox since Halo!
  12. 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
  13. Vinny
    Jun 28, 2004
    10
    Stands with Halo and Splinter Cell as the very best games for the Xbox.
  14. BillG.
    Jun 28, 2004
    10
    The best Xbox game I´ve ever seen/played!
  15. 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.
  16. LamontR.
    Jun 7, 2004
    10
    This was my favorite Xbox game at E-3, and after playing the full product for a few hours, I'd put it right up there with the best 3 or 4 games on the system. The freakin' atmosphere that it creates is impeccable. It's just plain fun. With the exception of (maybe) LOTR: ROTK, this might be the best licensed game I've ever played.
  17. ChrisB.
    Jun 9, 2004
    10
    My favorite game for the xbox was halo but when i bought this game i thought it was a greater achievement. This is one of the best games i've ever played. i would rate it a 11 if i could.
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. VicT.
    Dec 6, 2007
    10
    THIS is how movie-to-game transitions should be done!
  22. 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.
  23. 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!
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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!!
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. JMAN51
    Jul 8, 2004
    9
    Awesome game, its short but its enjoyable several times through like Halo's campaign.

Awards & Rankings

9
7
#7 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
25
#25 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 84 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 84
  2. Negative: 0 out of 84
  1. A finely crafted gaming experience that will not soon be duplicated. The action, script and presentation are all worthy of the highest praise.
  2. Butcher Bay soundly defeats "Halo" and takes it's place as FPS of this generation.
  3. 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.