The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay--Great Game or Greatest Game?

[Architecture]

The only guns that required DNA encoding were assault rifles. In the original release, you picked up a rifle that was broken in the back third; it's LED ammo counter was cracked, and it had a very high ROF. In the re-release, it's a "prototype" weapon. It's not the best writing, but they did at least address it.

 

I had to use a shotgun during the last two mechs 'cause I'd dropped the chaingun to sprint past enemies at that point.

[eot]

Ah, you're right about the Assault Rifles now that I think about it. I was never able to pick those up again after being captured and it fits with the intro as well. I'm glad it has some internal consistency, this feels like the kind of game that really cares about those details. That prototype weapon was damn fun to use btw, the gunplay reminds me a bit of fear. Maybe it's the wide FoV, I love it.

[spydersvenom]

I think what I found most distinct about this title is that gameplay switches up pretty consistently and without being a detriment to the overall experience.  There is a steep learning curve with the sneaking around, especially early on in the prison when the lights go out and again in the mines, but I felt that anytime I got stuck on either an area, boss, or sub boss that there was always some tactic I wasn't seeing.  Dark Athena was okay, but I think it proved that we wouldn't get the charm of the original in Riddick sequels.  Some of the guys who worked on this game were a part of the new Wolfenstein so I'm definitely eager to pick up and play that sometime soon.

[Trip Hazard]

I liked it. Spent many a happy hour sneaking through the dark, snapping necks for cheap thrills. I particularly enjoyed the very start of the game, making deals with other inmates for crude weaponry and fighting with Molina for dominance.

I think if I played it now I wouldn't like it so much and probably consider it really dated. It can remain a pleasant memory

 

Quoting myself here to call myself an IDIOT for ever doubting that this game was and remains really great. Curse the embittered cynic within me!

[eot]

I played Dark Athena a while ago, don't make that mistake yourself. It starts competently I suppose, but missing the magic touch of the first game, and it gets progressively worse until it devolves into non-stop boring combat for the last few hours.

[Salacious Snake]

The dark... are you afraid? I'm not. The dark is afraid of me.