Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 9.5
Sound: 9.5
Replay: 6
Multiplayer: No

Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is one of those games that is hard to expect a lot from. The vast majority of games that are based off of a movie license and are released along with a movie of the same name (even if a different story/setting) normally suck. For this reason, gamers have come to expect such pathetic movie-based games. However, Escape from Butcher Bay hopes to make a point: that movie based games can rock just like the rest of them.

Simply put, all FPS gamers and stealth addicts (such as fans of the Thief series) will most likely love this game. Personally, my only second thought before playing the game was the fact that Vin Diesel was the main character. But, after watching Pitch Black and Chronicles of Riddick, I could see him as this bad ass Riddick character. Needless to say, he fits the part perfectly and the character in the game is perfectly modeled to look just like him and the voice over is awesome.

One thing should be known, this game is short but extremely sweet. It is awesome while it lasts. Basically, the gameplay revolves around missions that are normally given to you through dialogue with other characters in the game. The difference between these missions and missions in some other games is that these ones actually have a point to them, which makes the game more fun. There are no "fetch my clothes hangar and I will give you some cash" type of missions in this game. There are also side missions, but there isn't many. The good thing about the side missions is that they will generally provide you with packs of cigarettes. I know, I know, you say you don't smoke. It's ok, all they do is unlock some bonuses such as concept art, stills from the movie, etc. It isn't the greatest incentive, but it still pretty interesting.

There are two ways to get things done in this game. Run and gun, the obvious choice for most FPS gamers, and then stealth kills, the more likely choice for the Thief type fanatics. Both work well. The stealth kills are more likely to leave you with more health. The run and gun people are going to be just trying to survive until the next Med unit most of the time. But don't worry, the Med units, the machines that heal you, are in abundance through most of the game. You don't have to go too far ahead or too far back to find one.

Not only are both choices effective, but they both run and look smooth as well. In some games, where one of the types is the focus of the game, if you try to use the other method then things just don't feel right and the game just isn't any fun. That isn't the case for Escape from Butcher Bay. Both stealth and run and gun are fun to use. But, of course, the person who can blend the two will be able to do the best.

There are multiple weapons in the game as well. When you start the game all you have is your fists, which you can effectively use you go Punch-Out! style and knock some heads, or sneak up and snap a couple necks. A little later, you get objects such as a screwdriver which you can use to stab the hell out of somebody or creep up and jam it into their throat. Once you get to a certain point in the game you are able to use guard weapons. These are mostly pistols, shotguns, and assault rifles. All three can get the job done with most of the guards. Just be careful, the big armor dudes are tough.

Hands down this is the best looking FPS on any console and it is right up there with Splinter Cell for best overall graphics of any console game. It takes its lighting techniques from Dues Ex: Invisible War. The shadows are essential to victory and in this game they are incredibly realistic. Where this game excels over the graphics of Dues Ex: IW is in the character animations. The new Dues Ex game was sketchy in that area, however, Escape from Butcher Bay really brings the character to life. Vin Diesel's character looks almost exactly like him. Other characters look extremely good as well with excellent facial expressions and animations.

Really, the only problem with the graphics is that the Xbox can't handle everything, such as anti-aliasing to cut down on the jaggies. At a few points in the game, the graphics tend to shear and tear a bit and you can see all the lines and jaggies on the characters. No game can look quite this good without something like this happening. Let's just hope that Halo 2 doesn't have similar problems. The PC port of the game coming later this year or early next year will probably fix the jagged edges if you have a top-end PC.

The sound is awesome in this game. The music and ambient sounds are great, but the voice-overs are what make the game excellent. All of the voices match their characters perfectly and the dialogue is just like what you would see in a movie. Whoever wrote the script deserves a thumbs up and a pat on the back. The dialogue really draws you in to the game and makes you feel as if you are in the Riddick universe.

The replay is the only drawback present in Chronicles of Riddick. This is the only reason that I couldn't rate the game any higher. This game is just a sweet one time playthrough. And even then, it is extremely short. 10-15 hours of gameplay. Not an amazing amount. The one thing the developers needed to do was make the game longer, at least 20-25 hours, and make two or three paths you can follow. That would make the game twice as long and then you would be able to play through it once or twice more.

So, all in all, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay turned out to be a great game but just too short. This is the perfect rental but I wouldn't suggest buying it since you most likely won't be playing it again once you are done.