The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

 PlayStation 3
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

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  • Summary: Taking advantage of new hardware technologies, this package presents a reinvention of "Escape from Butcher Bay", delivering 2004's award winning experience in high definition with enhancements. Also included is the Dark Athena chapter, an expansion of the original game with a new story andTaking advantage of new hardware technologies, this package presents a reinvention of "Escape from Butcher Bay", delivering 2004's award winning experience in high definition with enhancements. Also included is the Dark Athena chapter, an expansion of the original game with a new story and new gameplay features. With The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, players are not only be challenged to survive Butcher Bay, but also engage in a new single-player experience and, for the first time in the Riddick universe, take action in intense multi-player combat. The game introduces the ominous Merc-ship Dark Athena, which sits silent like a marauding spider, awaiting helpless prey in the dark reaches of the galaxy. Players must face a large, bloodthirsty operation led by the dreaded Captain Revas and her slaves-turned-controllable combat drones, storm though death-defying events and fight fierce enemies in a battle of malice and gore. [Sierra Entertainment]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. Game Informer
    95
    One of the year’s best deals in gaming.
  2. Vandal
    90
    The new contents are not as good as the original games, and the enemy AI could have been improved, but without doubt this is one of the most interesting launches of recent months.
  3. Gamer 2.0
    86
    With the economy on the ropes and gamers finding it harder to purchase game, you will not find a better deal than Assault on Dark Athena, which gives you two single player campaigns and a multiplayer component for one price.
  4. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    80
    A hodgepodge of intergalactic hard arse, this is a must for those wanting something moody and fresh. [May 2009, p.60]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Impulsegamer
    80
    The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena is a well made action title.
  6. InsideGamer.nl
    75
    The Chronicles of Riddick: AODA tries to combine several genres into one single game. The result: an average game with nothing but mediocre aspects. Vin Diesel's presence and the Riddick-license make the game enjoyable nonetheless and additional to the Assault on Dark Athena campaign, there is a full next-gen version of the original Escape from Butcher Bay game. Sadly though, this remake does not live up to modern day standards.
  7. 1UP
    67
    As a product, this package is recommendable to anyone who hasn't experienced the first game, or wishes to add it back to their current library. It also includes a surprisingly fun multiplayer suite, with the Riddick vs. Everyone Else mode "Pitch Black" as the main attraction. But as single-player games, the unsatisfying Dark Athena should be played as a curiosity and then put back where it belongs: in Butcher Bay's shadow.

See all 45 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. PeterH
    May 23, 2009
    10
    This one surprised me. On the surface, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena looks like your everyday first-person shooter and This one surprised me. On the surface, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena looks like your everyday first-person shooter and you'll probably think that for a little while at the beginning of the game, too, but after you play it for a little while, you won't be able to put the controller down.… Expand
  2. CodyB
    Apr 7, 2009
    10
    Worth every penny. I loved Butcher Bay 5 years ago, and this is just as good now as it was then. I started with butcher bay and moved into Worth every penny. I loved Butcher Bay 5 years ago, and this is just as good now as it was then. I started with butcher bay and moved into Athena. It was a great gaming experience! Like I said, worth every penny.… Expand
  4. MatthewW
    Apr 22, 2009
    10
    One of the best game of the last 5 years, this game was criminally overlooked in 2004 on the xbox but it is back with a beautiful graphics One of the best game of the last 5 years, this game was criminally overlooked in 2004 on the xbox but it is back with a beautiful graphics update and a amazing new chapter. This game is worth every penny and more, even if you played the original butcher bay this is worth the price to play, trust me.… Expand
  5. Cmcolin
    Jan 23, 2013
    8
    An excellent shooter with a great storyline and terrific voice-acting. "Dark Athena" is an exceptional entry into the Riddick mythology. TheAn excellent shooter with a great storyline and terrific voice-acting. "Dark Athena" is an exceptional entry into the Riddick mythology. The graphics and atmosphere are near perfect and the controls are solid. The only thing that keeps the score under 9/10 is the fact that the game is a little short. Another big selling point is the fact that a remastered version of the great "Escape from Butcher Bay" is included with this game - making it a two-for-one deal. Anyone who has never tried the Riddick games would do well to give this package a spin.… Expand
  6. rcoberle54
    Nov 11, 2020
    8
    I'm not sure if Dark Athena used the original UI and HUD of Butcher Bay or if when they ported Bay to PS3 if they updated it to match DarkI'm not sure if Dark Athena used the original UI and HUD of Butcher Bay or if when they ported Bay to PS3 if they updated it to match Dark Athena. Either way the fact that this game uses the same UI and HUD as the first game made it feel more like an expansion DLC or remaster instead of a true sequel and its own game.

    However everything about this game is a step up from its predecessor. The graphics, stealth mechanics, shooting, level design, finish animations are all a notch above the previous installment which ultimately creates a more satisfying experience. Even Diesel's voice work in this sounds better. Basically every aspect of this game feels refined and a bit more polished.

    However, this game needed some sort of added feature or mechanic. There was nothing new about the gameplay, it was all just done a bit better. It needed some sort of Arkham predator mode vision, or a weapon upgrade system or something. The fact it had no major new mechanic added to it feeling like more of an expansion DLC with upgraded graphics rather than a true sequel. I suppose this did have a multiplayer component that I was not able to play since it's 2020, more than decade since the initial release, and I have no doubt that the servers are either offline or completely dead. The multiplayer was probably the new big feature of this game they were touting but since I'm not able to review that I'm strictly speaking about the single player campaign. It just needed something new.

    This was still a blast and a breeze. The only element that seemed to take a back seat this time around was the RPG side quest element. Which is forgivable because everything else was done so well. There were two segments that particularly stuck out as being incredible and that was the spot light elevator segment with the platforming element and the gravity well bit. The physics in this game again is next level and so satisfying to play around with.

    The stealth was a lot more satisfying this time around too. I'm not sure if I missed it in Butcher Bay, but I discovered you can shoot out the lights in this game creating more darkness and more stealth opportunities. I felt it was easier to stay in the shadows this time and have a little more freedom of how I approached certain segments. The level design is partly to thank for the upgraded stealth too as it naturally had more shadows at times. The AI felt a little more forgiving this time around. But ultimately it felt like there were segments that made it near impossible to go stealth and it felt like the game forced you to blast your way through the levels with shotgun and assault rifle in tow. When those moments happen it makes the whole stealth aspect and Riddick's strongest characteristic feel like a moot point.

    I find it interesting that they released a Riddick game in 2009, 5 years after the last movie which bombed hard. Were people really clamoring for more Riddick action in 2009? Regardless I would really like to see a sequel to this franchise on PS5. Maybe if the 4th movie ever comes out interest in this franchise and intellectual property will spike. I'd like to see upgrades to your character and weapons via a skill tree. I'd like to see a little more RPG elements and a tad more satisfying stealth experience.

    O also this game gets bonus points for actually being able to dual wield the bladed weapons on the cover of the game. Butcher Bay failed to deliver on that promise.    … Expand
  7. CHEESEDBEEF
    Mar 27, 2015
    8
    Best thing about this game is it still holds up in 2015. I've been playing recently and am really enjoying it.
    Its not your typical FPS, but    Best thing about this game is it still holds up in 2015. I've been playing recently and am really enjoying it.
    Its not your typical FPS, but leans more towards the stealth approach. I'm not sure if all versions of Dark Athena are the same but mine came with a Revamp of butchers bay which looks amazing, so there's 2 good length games here for a very cheap price nowadays. best thing is the game has its own story and that is why its so enjoyable, its not tied down to the movie script so there is a lot you wont be expecting when progressing the story. stealth mechanics are awesome in this game, stick to the shadows like Sam Fisher and lunge at your enemy before disappearing to find the next. This game for me, provided a fair challenge. Im not into rage games like Dark Souls but this wasn't the easiest game on normal difficulty so I enjoyed it for that. For me its a great first person stealth game with epic voice acting from vin diesel, and feels kind of like a more linear steampunky deus ex style fpsrpg.    … Expand
  8. FPSMaster
    Apr 16, 2009
    7
    This is a hard game to score. Butcher Bay was my favorite game last generation and it's on this disc. It's better looking and a few This is a hard game to score. Butcher Bay was my favorite game last generation and it's on this disc. It's better looking and a few things have been added. It's still top-notch, although graphically not as groundbreaking as it was 5 years ago even with the new graphics. Dark Athena on the other hand is the exact opposite in most ways. It looks a little better than Butcher Bay, but being a totally new game it isn't up to the standadrs gamers expect in 2009. The entire game, especially later outdoor levels, are awfully thrown together. It just has a completely tacked on to Butcher Bay feeling and will disappointment most fans. It's almost all shooting too, so non Riddick fans are going to put it right down since it doesn't really excel as a shooter. The multiplayer is tacked on also, so I doubt anyone will play it long. But it does have a cool Pitch Black mode that's fun for a few rounds. All in all, a pretty good package. Not as good as The Orange Box deal which everyone keeps comparing it to though. The 5 year old remake is the star of the show here while th other 2 offerings are nothing more than tacked on to give an impression of longer playtime. Only play or buy if you love Butcher Bay or want to try it. The rest is mediocre.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best PS3 Game of 2009
78
#78 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
100
#100 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009