Chronicles of Riddick is an excellent FPS that is often pure adrenaline and great fun,yet is resultingly somewhat bland.
The Chronicles of Riddick is a very interesting game. Though it bears many traditional FPS nuances, it is highly innovative in its design. Its graphics were (and still are to some degree) cutting edge, while its sound, voice acting, and music are outstandingly done as well. However, in the end, these things keep Chronicles of Riddick from being "superb." The game is meant to be thrilling (James Bond type thrilling) and it is simply put, the most exhiliarating game available today. No other video game keeps your adrenaline pumping like Chronicles of Riddick. Tearing through a research facility in a mechanized indestructible robot, sneaking up on someone and snapping their neck without being detected, and toeing the line with heavily armed and armored prison guards are all gameplay aspects that have yet to be matched in the video game industry. However, because of this, COR is simply, exciting. You love it while you play it, but then look back and have little to think to yourself. (Unlike KOTOR or HL2 for example). In other words, its action takes away what could be some more memorable depth. That said, this game is so unique in its delivery that it is still worth playing. From the intuitive and innovative interface to the intense soundtrack, which is just as adrenaline packed as the other parts of the game. The graphics, though they are almost on par with those in HL2 and Doom 3, are highly demanding. Even on a system capable of running the aformentioned games at med-high, COR will probably only run at low with 800x600 resolution or worse. (However, as time goes on this is less and less of a factor).
Another point of criticism for COR is it repetitiveness. Sure you get to play varied missions, but the core remains pretty much the same: sneak, kill, run and gun, sneak, kill, run and gun. Also, there are not really many weapons to choose from, and only a few types of opponents you must face. This aspect sometimes makes the game feel like it drags. The level design is also somewhat repetitive, and linear as well, making many sections of the game feel unnecessary. The environment pretty much remains the decaying prison, with only two notable exceptions the entire game. That said, there are some highly artistic and memorable levels as well, which in the end make the game stand out. Part of the score inflation surrounding this game is the fact that it is so enjoyable while you are playing it. However, once it's over there is not really much reason to go back and play through unless you want to listen to developer commentary, which, depending on who you are, could conceivably double the length of the game. The game is also fairly short. A hardcore FPS player could probably tear through it in less than 8 hours if none of the extra tasks were performed. These tasks are another point of criticism. Instead of being suspenseful and exciting, they typically consist of beating up someone or finding someone's lost item. The idea to integrate such RPG-like elements into an FPS is good in theory, but doesn't work to well in practice in this instance. The Chronicles of Riddick draws its weaknesses from its strengths. However, in the end it is highly reccomendable, especially considering its price today, and any passing fan of the FPS genre would find an exciting, unique experience in Chronicles of Riddick.