All I can say is...
Let's start off with the graphics, one word: DAMN! As you may have heard, Riddick is one of the first games to use normal mapping, and let me tell you, they put it to good use. Not only does it look great, but it runs well with all settings on high on a decent computer fairly well (for the most part). You are mostly battling your way through room after room and stuff like that, but the graphics are still unbelievable and some of the best, if not the best I've seen so far. The character models are amazingly detailed and have nice textures to them. Vin diesels model is just really well done, it looks pretty much exactly like him. However, sometimes you can notice the low polygon counts on some things, but those are rare. The textures overall on the environments are incredible and make em seem really detailed, and all the textures give the graphics’ lots of depth so most things looked bumped up, not flat, unlike in other games. The lighting is just outstanding as well, and put it together with one of the most advanced shadowing every seen and you've got a technical masterpiece. But, yes, there's always that but, the game even though has incredible physics, has some clipping issues, and there are some weird graphical glitches and stuff. The game also has plenty of jaggies, but it's defiantly been made more bearable then the Xbox version which if you remember had some serious issues on aliasing. Overall, this game even though lacks some visual polish; it's incredible to look at.
The Audio in this game is also phenomenal, the Music is some of the best I’ve ever heard, and the sound effects really immerse you in the world. The VO is excellent, but sometimes the lip-synching is a little off. In combat, guards yell at you, the music jumps in and just creates an amazing atmosphere with the help of the graphics of course. But overall, the Audio is just un-freaking believable.
Ah yes, now to the gameplay. This is what I will now judge all single player FPS’s and other action games by. It has really set a new standard, and if I wasn’t such a Battlefield fan boy this would be my favorite game of all time. Not even HL2 can match this epic game. Sure it’s a little short, and may have a couple bugs, but it’s defiantly a lot more interesting and more enjoyable to play than HL2. Ok, so obviously Vin Diesel is a major part of this game, he helped on the voice overs, and I think did some motion capture and helped direct or something. Anyway, you play as Riddick, you are put in Butcher Bay (the prison) and once you get there all hell breaks loose. The hand to hand combat is actually amazingly well done and you can also do cool things like snap peoples necks from behind them or position there own gun to there head and shoot it. This game has some really funny and extremely violent animations. It’s pretty cool…The shooting is done very well too, and you get a really good sense of hitting the enemies, and the physics really add to it. But it’s not just shooting, you can also be stealthy moves by crouching, and come behind enemies and do things like stab em in the back with a shiv or snap there necks like mentioned before. You also get this eye shine move fairly early on in the game and what that does is enable you to see in the dark, but, if the room has a decent amount of light all you’ll see is white, it’s very sensitive to light. There is also an RPG element where you can buy stuff from other inmates or do some side missions, gain money, and stuff like that. Anyway, the game has very nice and often time’s humorous (because of Vin Diesel) cinematics and it moves the game along nicely. The objectives are also pretty varied and never get boring or frustrating or anything like that. You also have a journal thing where it keeps info about missions, inventory, ECT. This is also very helpful at times. This game is also filled with really cool moments, and pretty much the whole game is memorable actually. The game has an amazing level of immersion, partly because of the A.I. and how every part of the game is stringed together so well combined with all its sound and graphics. Now for the PC version, you get an extra level where you control a “Riot Guard” and this is actually put together very nicely and un-noticeable if you haven’t already played the Xbox version. And the level itself is very fun and feels quite different from the rest of the action. There is also another robot mission near the end which is done very well just like the rest of the game and feels just like you actually are controlling a robot. I do have to mention however, the game suffers from quick, but fairly often loading, but it’s not that big of a problem. Anyway, the health system is pretty cool too, you basically have these white blocks, you start off with like 3 or 4 I think and you get more. But anyway, you can heal one block if it’s damaged but you can’t get it back if it’s completely gone. You also have a “Normand Health Unit” thing where you can get back 4 blocks of life. You can also collect “Pack of Smokes” which unlocks concept art, and other gallery type stuff. The overall game is about 10 hours long, but exclusively for the PC version there is a Commentary mode which is pretty cool. The game is packed with lot’s of extra content but it won’t keep you busy for long, the real replay value is, well, replaying the game because it’s so damn amazing, I’ll guarantee you, you won’t beat this game once. Overall, the gameplay is incredibly immersive, innovative, and just plain FUN!
Overall, the game even though short, is packed with loads of extra content, amazing graphics and sound, and some of the best gameplay you’ll ever find this generation. It’s one of those few, rare, innovative adventures that come slowly and quietly but leave with a Bang. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is easily one of the Best games ever made, and the most Satisfying Single Player Experience of All Time, Period.