The Chronicals Of Riddick - Being True

Recently I began playing The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, which is a good game in my opinion, but not one shared by most reviewers. The difference is that I haven't played Escape from Butcher Bay, which is something I am planning on correcting. I had bought it on Steam a while ago and it just sat in my library until this weekend when I broke it out and started and didn't really stop. And the reason for that is two things: Atmosphere and Gameplay.

-Atmosphere-

The artists did a spectacular job in creating the world of Riddick, the dark sci-fi almost horror-esk halls, the performance capture for animation, and the cinematic, almost movie caliber cut, in-game scenes. Everything fits together as a cohesive whole that sucks the player into the experience.

But what shines about the atmosphere are the characters. Riddick is voiced by Vin Diesel, who just owns the character, playing him in both film, animation and in the games which is sign of dedication. The character is excellent, walking that thin line between ready to help you or leave you to die.

The supporting characters around him are well voiced, some to a terrifying degree. Jaylor gives a madding performance that shows how twisted the universe of Riddick really is.

-Gameplay-

As I stated earlier Dark Athena is a FPS, though it plays with a mostly melee based combat system. The mechanics are simple. Left click to attack, right to block. Time your attacks and try not to get hurt. And while the simplicity of the system is great, it begins to fray in long drawn out fights.

Characters who are far superior, strength wise, don't seem to be able to be countered, so darting in and getting a few strikes before backing up seemed to be the only method to defeating certain foes. And while that is a valid fighting strategy, it would often work just because the enemy is having difficulty switching between a blocking animation and a wounded animation.

But in the moment, it doesn’t matter. It’s just you, your knife, and Ivan the huge tattooed guy who wants to beat your brains out.

Stealth is exceedingly rewarding. Going through an area, taking out foes all the while trying to stay hidden is the meat of the game and is viscerally a sight to enjoy. But about four hours in the gameplay begins to unravel as it switches from melee based to gun based. All of a sudden the darkness you had been slinking around in has been rendered useless as you are now faced with five enemies at a time in a narrow hallway. Riddick is now carrying a club, three types of daggers, a shotgun, an assault rifle, a pistol and a submachine gun… Somehow he transformed from nimble killer into Rambo.

I haven’t finished the game yet to see if it swings back around. And while disappointed that the game did not stay true to its roots I’m going to finish it just because the character work is superbly done.