While it certainly is different than the first Riddick, it doesn’t set itself apart from the dozens of other FPS titles currently on the market. It can be a bit too linear, the dialogue isn’t well written, and the action isn’t going to win any awards at the end of the year. The multiplayer modes are a mixed bag, but there’s enough here to keep your attention for a few months. Pitch Black mode contains the most replay value since it has players hunting down one player who is Riddick to have a chance to become Riddick. Riddick of course comes with his eye shine abilities but won’t have the ability to carry any guns. His primarily form of attack is to use the Ulaks and use his stealth to kill his opposition.
There are also several game types that help diversify the multiplayer such as the mode similar to Counter-Strike where you purchase weapons before each round called Butcher Bay Riot. Outside of that, you can expect the normal Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and the like showing up in typical fashion. Graphically, along with other technical aspects, the entire package is particularly well done. Vin Diesel is portrayed convincingly enough and his voice-acting is brooding as ever. The rest of the cast looks and sounds superb with their exquisite character models and voice-acting. The only downside is that the writing isn’t anywhere near a great piece of literature, but it doesn’t pretend to be either. You’ll find yourself enjoying the looks (dark environments with a lot of blue hues) and violent sound effects (bones breaking, blood splattering and much more).
How does The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena ultimately turn out? It’s one of the best bargains on the Xbox 360 of more than thirty hours of entertaining gameplay. Since the original isn’t backwards compatible on the Xbox 360, this is your only chance to play through the unique Xbox FPS title. If you are a big fan of Vin Diesel and shooters in general, then The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is a must have title.
