Chronicles of riddick:Assault on dark athena
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US, January 29, 2009 - Five years ago, Starbreeze AB made its mark with the release of one of the best movie-licensed games ever made. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay was meant as a bridge between Pitch Black and the first (and only) Chronicles film. A hit with fans and critics alike, the only real flaws of Butcher Bay were a lack of multiplayer and a very short single-player campaign. Those complaints must have eaten away at the folks at Starbreeze, because the Riddick team decided to release a remake/sequel for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 that answered those criticisms.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena contains a remastered version of Butcher Bay (with updated graphics and sound and some tweaks to previous gameplay issues) as well as an all new adventure for Riddick. Oh, and multiplayer. When you first boot up Riddick, you're given the choice to start Butcher Bay or jump right into Assault on Dark Athena.
While I didn't spend much time revisiting Butcher Bay, I can tell all you longtime fans that it has aged well. No major changes have been made, so it should be easy to pick up right away. Rather than start from scratch, Starbreeze brought Butcher Bay to levels comparable with current-gen visuals.
Assault on Dark Athena shares the same control scheme and the same gameplay mix. Riddick, for those who never tried the original, is not a straight shooter. It's a blend of stealth and first-person shooting. Riddick has the ability to see in the dark, making the shadows his friend. Dark Athena places a heavier emphasis on stealth, particularly in the first half of the game. You'll only have melee weapons for the first few levels, making it crucial that you sneak up on enemies and perform stealth kills.
Riddick is trapped on a mercenary ship with a homicidal captain, Revas, and a bunch of deadly drones. The drones, slow-minded guards that patrol the grounds, can make for tough kills. Their gun is actually melded into their arm, so killing one doesn't gain you a weapon you can walk away with. However, you can ace a drone, then use him as a human shield with access to his arm-rifle. Your movement is limited, so you won't be wandering the halls of the Athena holding a drone, but it works in a pinch.
For those who want to run and gun, Dark Athena is probably going to kick your ass. At least in the early going. It doesn't take very many shots to kill Riddick and with only melee weapons for the first 40% of the game, stealth is often your only viable option. But don't worry – stick with the stealth long enough and you'll be rewarded.
At one point, Riddick gains access to the drone control room. Laying down in the control pod, Riddick is able to deploy drones, controlling them remotely. Think of it like being able to radio-control Robocop. The drone is slow and eats a lot of bullets, but it tears through just about everything in its path. The drone control moment is reminiscent of when you finally get inside one of the 'mechs in Butcher Bay. You've been getting harassed by these tough bastards for a while and finally it's your turn to turn the tables and kick some ass.
From this point forward, Dark Athena makes stealth more of an option, allowing you to acquire a number of ranged weapons. The gameplay becomes almost night and day with the earlier levels, but that actually makes the standard first-person shooting elements special. It's like Riddick has been cooped up in a cage for the first few levels and finally they let the beast out.
Dark Athena isn't just about stealth and combat. As with Butcher Bay, there are times when you get to converse with some of the prisoners on the ship, learn their stories, and give them an assist. There are some real characters to discover, each one seemingly more foul-mouthed than the last. Not everyone is interested in talk though. I won't call out any of the prisoners, but I'll say "someone" was caught with his back to the prison door feverishly twiddling himself. Don't worry, you're never asked to shake his hand.
Multiplayer has also been included, though I wasn't able to check it out with the current build. However, there are some standard 12-player options, such as Death Match, as well as the interesting Pitch Black mode, which puts players in dark arenas in fights where a good Surround Sound system is vital.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena doubles the content of Butcher Bay and brings the technology up to current-gen standards. How well the gameplay, which remains fairly untouched, stands up five years after the fact is another question. One that will be answered when I've had a chance to play the final build. With Assault on Dark Athena scheduled for an early April release, it may be a bit before anyone gets a chance for a final assessment on Riddick's latest adventure. But from what I've played, I'm optimistic that Dark Athena can quell its past criticisms and deliver the full-fledged Riddick experience no one even knew they wanted.
Cannot wait for this game,Huge fan of the original escape from butcher bay.
Pushed the original xbox to its limits and made one hell of a game.Just downloaded the demo and about to play.
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Sounds cool.
I never played the original, But if it comes in the same game, then I can play both.
I might pick it up
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Sounds cool.
I never played the original, But if it comes in the same game, then I can play both.
I might pick it upive played the demo and to tell the truth it didnt impress me. i guess after kz2 its going to be difficult to make something better. i liked those counter attack kills and silent kills, and of course the atmosphere of the whole game, but graphic.. i just cant look at those poor res textures on walls and doors especialy lights. It really hurts i just hope that the demo problem with low res textures and i hope they will improve it in final version. Also Riddick model on the cutscenes looked horrible, specialy his shirt.
Let's hope they will fix it a bit before they realease it.
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ive played the demo and to tell the truth it didnt impress me. i guess after kz2 its going to be difficult to make something better. i liked those counter attack kills and silent kills, and of course the atmosphere of the whole game, but graphic.. i just cant look at those poor res textures on walls and doors especialy lights. It really hurts i just hope that the demo problem with low res textures and i hope they will improve it in final version. Also Riddick model on the cutscenes looked horrible, specialy his shirt.
Let's hope they will fix it a bit before they realease it.
Theres a demo? ill play that fucker, first game was siiick
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Theres a demo? ill play that fucker, first game was siiick
i just got interested in it the other day. it looked like they were spotlighting online multiplayer. is that going to be good cause thats where the replayability is at. all about the mp but with this post i may just buy it!!!
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i just got interested in it the other day. it looked like they were spotlighting online multiplayer. is that going to be good cause thats where the replayability is at. all about the mp but with this post i may just buy it!!!
just looked up release dates. 7th of april U.S. i think the 24th Europe. why do you guys have to wait for everything that licks balls. if the game is ready it should release everywhere. am i right? or is there another reason that i don't know about because i get the game sooner and just haven't looked to see why?
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just looked up release dates. 7th of april U.S. i think the 24th Europe. why do you guys have to wait for everything that licks balls. if the game is ready it should release everywhere. am i right? or is there another reason that i don't know about because i get the game sooner and just haven't looked to see why?
Yeah i like games to have a unified release too tbh
lame huh -
Yeah i like games to have a unified release too tbh
lame huhIt suck d!ck here. We have to wait ages for games…
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It suck d!ck here. We have to wait ages for games…
I liked the films lol so I had high hopes for this game but the demo has really bad graphics kind of like quake 4 graphics :eek: but the story might make up for it, we will have to wait and see.
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I liked the films lol so I had high hopes for this game but the demo has really bad graphics kind of like quake 4 graphics :eek: but the story might make up for it, we will have to wait and see.
You guys need to be more open minded.
You ruin good games for yourselves,like gta.
Was a good game.
I'm looking at some of your oppinions on killzone and some of you are saying "its no call of duty".
gold star,developers dont look at rival games and think oh i want to make that game.
But,you all think they do and thus your expectations are set to a certain setting and it fucks it up for you.
Dante knows what i mean,theres so many games that you guys wont play because of your shallow way of thinking,not just you guys,the general gaming community.
I think negrowolf understands as he posted something about sales of halo,more sales went to that because it as a familiar series and they returned it it cause it wasnt a fps,WTF.
I bet its actually a good game.(yes sonybots)Wise up kids!
anyway…
yeah the demo was abitt strange,unsure what to think of it.
gonna play it again to get a better oppinion.My general vibe is that its gonna be a good game,story wise and just having general fun with laying a beatdown like brown vs rihanna.
Download it dante using a U.S account,first game was big and this game is virtuallly indentical.
all good in vin diesels hood.
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You guys need to be more open minded.
You ruin good games for yourselves,like gta.
Was a good game.
I'm looking at some of your oppinions on killzone and some of you are saying "its no call of duty".
gold star,developers dont look at rival games and think oh i want to make that game.
But,you all think they do and thus your expectations are set to a certain setting and it fucks it up for you.
Dante knows what i mean,theres so many games that you guys wont play because of your shallow way of thinking,not just you guys,the general gaming community.
I think negrowolf understands as he posted something about sales of halo,more sales went to that because it as a familiar series and they returned it it cause it wasnt a fps,WTF.
I bet its actually a good game.(yes sonybots)Wise up kids!
anyway…
yeah the demo was abitt strange,unsure what to think of it.
gonna play it again to get a better oppinion.My general vibe is that its gonna be a good game,story wise and just having general fun with laying a beatdown like brown vs rihanna.
Download it dante using a U.S account,first game was big and this game is virtuallly indentical.
all good in vin diesels hood.
Yup negrowolf understands. (LOL) I played a little Galo Whores and… its not THAT bad.
It reminds me of C&C but with set pieces. It just doesn't have an awe inspiring story, and it gets VERY repetitive... graphics are a downer too. but mehh it was pretty cool I guess.Try new games people! There are quite a few games which have gotten quite bad reviews
Dynasty Warriors 6 comes to mind here. Got a 6/10 on average... but I fecking love it!
I love just standing in the middle of 30 people and the killing 'em all with my special moves.But be warned, there are still some shit games too which sell loads.
Example... Haze. Which, just to let you know, has sold over 1 million world-wide!!!! -
Yup negrowolf understands. (LOL) I played a little Galo Whores and… its not THAT bad.
It reminds me of C&C but with set pieces. It just doesn't have an awe inspiring story, and it gets VERY repetitive... graphics are a downer too. but mehh it was pretty cool I guess.Try new games people! There are quite a few games which have gotten quite bad reviews
Dynasty Warriors 6 comes to mind here. Got a 6/10 on average... but I fecking love it!
I love just standing in the middle of 30 people and the killing 'em all with my special moves.But be warned, there are still some shit games too which sell loads.
Example... Haze. Which, just to let you know, has sold over 1 million world-wide!!!!Yup negrowolf understands. (LOL) I played a little Galo Whores and… its not THAT bad.
It reminds me of C&C but with set pieces. It just doesn't have an awe inspiring story, and it gets VERY repetitive... graphics are a downer too. but mehh it was pretty cool I guess.Try new games people! There are quite a few games which have gotten quite bad reviews
Dynasty Warriors 6 comes to mind here. Got a 6/10 on average... but I fecking love it!
I love just standing in the middle of 30 people and the killing 'em all with my special moves.But be warned, there are still some shit games too which sell loads.
Example... Haze. Which, just to let you know, has sold over 1 million world-wide!!!!Exactly,cause all those gamers who like chicks with guns and top gear,thought OMFG FPS !!!!!!!EROTIC SEIZURE!!!!!!
but how bad was that game,im crying blood now at the thought of it..
Dynasty warriors is epic,the gameplay should be so repetative and boring but it just doesnt get old.
With the introduction of create-a-charecter the game was sick in my opinion. -
Yup negrowolf understands. (LOL) I played a little Galo Whores and… its not THAT bad.
It reminds me of C&C but with set pieces. It just doesn't have an awe inspiring story, and it gets VERY repetitive... graphics are a downer too. but mehh it was pretty cool I guess.Try new games people! There are quite a few games which have gotten quite bad reviews
Dynasty Warriors 6 comes to mind here. Got a 6/10 on average... but I fecking love it!
I love just standing in the middle of 30 people and the killing 'em all with my special moves.But be warned, there are still some shit games too which sell loads.
Example... Haze. Which, just to let you know, has sold over 1 million world-wide!!!!Exactly,cause all those gamers who like chicks with guns and top gear,thought OMFG FPS !!!!!!!EROTIC SEIZURE!!!!!!
but how bad was that game,im crying blood now at the thought of it..
Dynasty warriors is epic,the gameplay should be so repetative and boring but it just doesnt get old.
With the introduction of create-a-charecter the game was sick in my opinion.Ok Riddic is not a normal FPS game, at least Buchers Bay wasn't. While playing demo i noticed that it's fun to run and kill with melee weapons, but AI is extremely stupid, everything is script based (first room two bots that are entering the room always stand in the middle looking in one direction), so im a bit afraid about that game. Nonenthless i'm still looking forward to play full version, maybe i won't buy it but will rent it or borrow it from someone.
Graphic vise it's really difficult to look at it, especialy all those poor res textures of lights. It's a shame that new game has to look so bad, and don't get me wrong i still play old games like Fallout 2 or Baldurs Gate or Quake series so i don't really care about the graphic that much.
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Ok Riddic is not a normal FPS game, at least Buchers Bay wasn't. While playing demo i noticed that it's fun to run and kill with melee weapons, but AI is extremely stupid, everything is script based (first room two bots that are entering the room always stand in the middle looking in one direction), so im a bit afraid about that game. Nonenthless i'm still looking forward to play full version, maybe i won't buy it but will rent it or borrow it from someone.
Graphic vise it's really difficult to look at it, especialy all those poor res textures of lights. It's a shame that new game has to look so bad, and don't get me wrong i still play old games like Fallout 2 or Baldurs Gate or Quake series so i don't really care about the graphic that much.
WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS DEMO?
too many gamers simply look at westernized, cliche FPSs and buy them regardless of reviews or what other people have said, theyre retards shakes head
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WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS DEMO?
too many gamers simply look at westernized, cliche FPSs and buy them regardless of reviews or what other people have said, theyre retards shakes head
WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS DEMO?
too many gamers simply look at westernized, cliche FPSs and buy them regardless of reviews or what other people have said, theyre retards shakes head
I guess your refering to Haze and over a million sales?
Hahaha Its quite funny but I feel a little proud of it
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WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS DEMO?
too many gamers simply look at westernized, cliche FPSs and buy them regardless of reviews or what other people have said, theyre retards shakes head
I guess your refering to Haze and over a million sales?
Hahaha Its quite funny but I feel a little proud of itDante,you need a USA account to download the demo.
I'll let you use mine if you want,i'll give you the details over msn. -
Dante,you need a USA account to download the demo.
I'll let you use mine if you want,i'll give you the details over msn.It doesn't take long to get a US account. Just put that you live in beverly hills
And for the Zip code 90210. -
It doesn't take long to get a US account. Just put that you live in beverly hills
And for the Zip code 90210.a couple weeks late i know cause i picked up this game on release day but it is solid. i am not dne yet and i haven't played the multiplayer but the story thus far is awesome. loving every minute of it. this game has the perfect combo of stealth and run and gun just love it!!!
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a couple weeks late i know cause i picked up this game on release day but it is solid. i am not dne yet and i haven't played the multiplayer but the story thus far is awesome. loving every minute of it. this game has the perfect combo of stealth and run and gun just love it!!!
Lol dude i downlaoded it and im s not enjoying it, i loved Butcher bay but this is nooo good
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Lol dude i downlaoded it and im s not enjoying it, i loved Butcher bay but this is nooo good
you know i may still be in the butcher bay portion. i have not switched to assault on wherever (athena i think) yet. but since i never played butcher bay it has been worth the money just for that.
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