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As I sit here staring at my scribbled notes for The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, an odd realization sweeps over me. There is little mention of any new features found in the old content, Escape from Butcher Bay, and almost no sign of a laundry list of aging gameplay designs. Riddick's newest outing certainly has these things, make no mistake, but just like in 2004, developer Starbreeze has achieved what so few developers have managed to accomplish this year or last - enthrall me completely. I was thrust into the dark corridors of Butcher Bay and was forced to navigate the cramped compartments of the Dark Athena, and I enjoyed every minute of it. So forget the notes, and let me tell you why this is one experience you shouldn't pass up.
You take on the roll of Riddick, the dark and brooding anti-hero who has simply one goal in mind - the continuation of his life. Finding himself trapped on the most feared maximum security prison in the galaxy, his journey begins with nothing but his shined eyes, dark humor, and his murderous intent...and all that stands between himself and freedom is a cadre of prisoners, guards, and a ship full of bloodthirsty pirates. Thankfully our deadly pugilist has a definite mean streak, and has few qualms about playing dirty - or in this case, playing in the dark.
Perhaps the most compelling and empowering aspect of the first-person adventure, the use of stealth is masterfully executed here. Riddick's eyes allow him to see in the dark, and as you creep around in the shadows you get the feeling that you aren't hiding from enemies so much as you're stalking them. From the addicting brutal silent kills to the bone-crunching disarming counter attacks, Riddick often feels like a force of nature. And since it's all achieved via a first-person perspective (save for the platforming elements), this means you are the force of nature, and in a nutshell, that is what makes Dark Athena so compelling. Few other games capture you so completely, and for the first time in ages I felt fully immersed in the world that was being presented.
There are problems though, but when you're riding so high on adrenaline from gutting a battalion of armed men while dancing from shadow to shadow, they are difficult to notice at times. The new content is out-shined by the remake of Butcher Bay, which just feels more polished and complete, but it is still incredibly enjoyable. There are a host of new weapons to use, and the ability to hack and control the creepy enemy 'Drones' is certainly a nice touch, but the focus does slip slowly away from the predator-like experience as gun-play becomes more prevalent in the later chapters. The shooting mechanics aren't necessarily flawed, but instead often fail to offer the same gratification as Riddick's serrated blades do
In the end, Dark Athena isn't so different from its prequel. Both are a little rough around the edges, both are viciously violent and often unforgiving in their difficulty - but there is something compelling and even admirable about them regardless of their faults. The AI might not be the most intimidating, and the landscape may not be large and sprawling by today's standards, but the roughly ten hours I spent slinking through the bleak confines of the Dark Athena, or the brutally visceral cells of Butcher Bay is time I wouldn't exchange with many other titles on the market.
Nice review. This game is great, defintely one of my top 5 so far this year.
Well worth the price, especially if you haven't played Butcher Bay. Now is the time to do it!