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Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay - Developer's Cut, The

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8.4 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 38 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 40 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Vivendi Universal

Developer: Starbreeze AB

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Action

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: December 7, 2004

Summary

Set before the events of both Universal Pictures' "The Chronicles of Riddick," starring Vin Diesel, and the 2000 cult classic "Pitch Black," which first introduced Diesel as enigmatic anti-hero Riddick, the game tells the story of Riddick's dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple max security slam Butcher Bay, home to the most violent prisoners in the galaxy. The Chronicles Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay will blend action and stealth elements, as players navigate Riddick through the harsh environments of the slam - dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other hazardous areas filled with guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures that prowl the darkness. [Vivendi Universal]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: GameSpot Hands-On GameSpy Preview Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Cheat Code Central

The guards, prisoners and Riddick himself are some of the most realistic looking polygon characters you'll see this year. The level of detail in the facial contortions alone are benchmark raising.

100

Computer Gaming World

You can turn a guard's own gun on him, shank him with a homemade shiv, snap his neck with your bare hands, or drop down on his head. [March 2005, p.71]

100

Thunderbolt

With all the lackluster console-to-PC ports in existence, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay absolutely towers over the competition. The fascinating commentary mode and bonus level improve what was already a stellar game.

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Game Chronicles

If the gameplay isn’t enough to grab you then the audio and visual presentation will certainly make this a showcase title for your expensive new video card, one that will wow your friends. It’s a definite must-have.

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Gamers' Temple

The biggest extra you’ll find, though, will come after you’ve completed the game. You can then re-enter the game and as you play through the second time you’ll notice the addition of some floating icons. Clicking on these pauses the game and plays designer commentary about the design and development of the level.

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Computer Games Online RO

The outstanding combination of stealth, adventure, exploration and action, correlated with a superb technical presentation has created a game unlike anything before it, raising the bar in regards to how a console port or a movie based game should be made. Is it better than Doom 3? Without a doubt.

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3DAvenue

For the PC gamers out there who like a great story, intense action and varied gameplay, Chronicles of Riddick will really get you going, allowing it to go down as one of the best examples of a game which paired stealth, hand to hand and action in first person gameplay and passed with flying colours.

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PC Gamer

Short, intense, and gripping is far superior to 40 hours of average FPS action, and Riddick is too excellent to miss merely because of its first-impression pedigree. [March 2005, p.62]

GameSpot

Every bit as surprisingly good on the PC, thanks to an excellent translation that shows no traces of the game's console origins. Furthermore, some exciting, brand-new extras that are exclusive to the PC version make it worth experiencing even by those who've played and enjoyed the original version of the game.

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FiringSquad

There are very few games I recommend outright to anyone without hesitation. So let me just qualify: if you have any interest in first-person shooters, go get Riddick. Now.

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Game Informer

It still looks great and has one of the best single-player stories out there. [Jan 2005, p.143]

GameZone

A surprisingly great little adventure that offers an experience unlike any other game out there.

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GamingTrend

Wow, for a small startup developer like Starbreeze (whose only other released game was "Enclave" on the Xbox and PC) this is like dropping an atomic bomb for one of the first games you bring out.

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TotalGames.net

The title may well have been one of the best-looking games to ever grace an Xbox but compared to the PC offering it resembles an early beta version.

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PC Gameworld

It is technically and artistically sound, not to mention fun. Definitely underrated.

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ActionTrip

If we look past the minor bugs, the combat feels intense and the controls feel perfectly natural. The Chronicles of Riddick just feels right on the PC and it's as if this was a PC game from the get-go.

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Yahoo! Games

With excellent visuals, varied and entertaining gameplay, quality acting, and a compelling mix of action and stealth -- not to mention the catalogue of extras -- it would be great value at $50, let alone the budget price of $30 that it's retailing for.

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Eurogamer

The definitive way to experience one of the games of the year.

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GameSpy

It gives you tasty side dishes of RPG and adventure gaming to go along with the action genre. Add on top of all that the excellent production values, impressive voice acting, tight script, bonuses like Commentary Mode, and a reduced price.

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Worth Playing

It's a beautiful thing, Butcher Bay, done with style that you don't often see, particularly in a movie license.

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Boomtown

Even better than the excellent Xbox version. While it may not have the high profile of "Half-Life 2," it really is one of the better FPS titles you'll play this year. Take the chance, you won't be disappointed.

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GameBiz

With so much variation in game play challenging levels, and the amazing visuals it is a must for any PC gamer.

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Loaded Inc

The voice acting is done on a very professional level and doesn’t sound scripted or forced.

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GamerFeed

Fast-paced action, excellently integrated stealth, and even some well-tuned platforming blend to make a cocktail that suits many tastes.

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Pelit (Finland)

An exciting mix of FPS, stealth, fighting and adventure all rolled into one great looking package. [Jan. 05]

Game Over Online

Better than any licensed game has been in months and maybe years. It is at least one of the top games from 2004, superior in my mind to the likes of "Doom 3" or "Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines."

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Computer Games Magazine

Riddled with shifts in tone and action that keep the pace snappy and engaging. It's even got a completely over-the-top distinct finale that makes it worth playing to the end. [March 2005, p.80]

Play Magazine

The game has undoubtedly improved in a number of ways in its transition to PC as a Developer's Cut, making it an essential experience on the platform. [Feb 2005, p.72]

IGN

The equal blend of game elements is superbly crafted, and I am honestly surprised at enjoyable the stealth and hand-to-hand combat really is. Still, if you consider around 12 hours of gameplay short, then Riddick is just that.

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Computer and Video Games

For the brief stretch you spend with Riddick in the galaxy's most notorious correction facility, Escape From Butcher Bay will keep you imprisoned in your house and chained to your PC from start to finish. [PC Zone]

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Put simply, the game is slick, well polished and has a real Hollywood feel. If you’re looking for an all-round actioner with a badass hero, an interesting story and solid gameplay, then Riddick is your game.

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Gamer's Hell

The game has its moments and they don't really last because the game is a bit short. It can be completed in less than 10 hours.

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Game Revolution

Thanks to some fancy "normal-mapping,' Escape From Butcher Bay can boast stunningly realistic environments. The entire prison world is beautifully and fully conceptualized, from the sickly green and orange lighting to the cracks in the doors.

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PC Gamer UK

Big punchy man action, with a surprising amount of brain. [Apr 2006, p.94]

2404.org

A polished shooter that breaks the here-to-fore insipid mold of movie-inspired games. It is fun and immersive, but does feel a bit lacking. EBB does not have the addictive quality of many of its FPS brethren.

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GameShark

Provided you have no problem affording the 4GB footprint, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is definitely worth taking for a spin.

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Games Radar (in-house)

There's also a huge, gaping multiplayer-shaped hole running right through the middle. The only other fly in Riddick's surgical bruise ointment is its length. Or lack of it.

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PC Format

There are moments that let Butcher Bay down - the melee combat, cack-handed first-person boxing, feels radom and ridiculous; there's some irritating mystical babble; and it's too short - but overall, the game's a gem. [Jan 2005, p.86]

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 40 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Alex D gave it a10:
A simply awesome game. Eye candy at the level of Doom III (was released in the Doom III / HL 2 era), top notch action, especially melee sequences, superb voice acting and level design. Top that with the dev commentary on the PC version and you'll get yourself a lot of entertainment for your buck from this title.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
By far one of the most memorable and lots of pleasure giving FPS with Far Cry and Half-Life -series.

HoKa gave it an8:
A solid game that offers much more than many other hyped adventure/action games. Instead of going for the flashy gimmicks route, the game delivers a solid experience in terms of not only environment interaction: you can hide yourself/bodies in the shadows, shoot lights to prepare an ambush in the dark, backstab your enemies, grapple during melee attacks, and actually watch your feet and hands as your character moves in first-person (you're not a floating hand with a camera following closely behind). The game features numerous interesting subquests that breathe some air to the linearity of the main plot, and the plot itself, while far-fetched, is entertaining in the least, and blends perfectly well with the game's mixture of close-combat and skullduggery. As for the technical aspect of the game, you won't be disappointed: the graphics are of Doom 3 quality, featuring shadow-smoothing not present in said benchmark game; the sound effects are crisp and clean, and the top-notch voice-acting makes the game a lot more vibrant: Vin Diesel gives Riddick a lot of personality through his voice, as does Ron Perlman to the Valance character. Rounding up, this game is 'a jewel lost in the mud of mediocrity'.

James P. gave it a10:
This game is awsome the smooth and thrilling gameplay and the great graphics made me give this game a 10/10.

Frank B gave it a9:
I must say that this game is one of the benchmarks in the FPS genre. Not only is the combat solid and rewarding, but graphics, story and overall inovation won me over. The graphics engine is quite similar to the more recent Doom 3 engine, though it seems to have put it to a much more effective use. Vinny does an exellent job with voice acting, as does the rest of the cast. Weapon effects, lighting, shadows ( along with the soft shadow option not provided by Doom 3 or Quake 4), and fire effects makes this a must have for FPS fans. Nothing is more rewarding that turning around a guards shotgun to his own face and blasting it to kingdom come. My only complaints come from two things. Neither of which are major, but things could use improvement. The first is the length. At about 10 hours long, the lack of multiplayer limits replay value, save some special moments. The other are rare graphical glitches. None major, but distracting. All in all GREAT game 9/10.

Lisac T. gave it a10:
Let it be clear - this game is near perfection in its every single segment. However, to experience such perfection, one needs a deep understanding of the world settings, the story, and finally of Riddick himself. Maybe the strongest point of the game is a possibility not only to play Riddicks role, but also to get into his mind and feel yourself as a "Furion". I'd usually give it 9, but due to such a brilliant port of the game from XBox to PC and adjusting it properly for each of the two platforms, I decided to conclude this review with 10.

Anthony S. gave it a10:
Heart-pounding, jawdropping, smack-you-in-your-face action along with a storyline fit for a five star feature film makes this game one of the greatest first person shooters i've ever played. Right up there with half-life 2, I was very pleasantly surprised with this one. Three years after its release, I'm only regretting I waited so long to pick it up!

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Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay - Developer's Cut, The

Game Info

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What The Critics Said

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