Riddick: Dark Athena
Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena is something of a sequel/reworking to Escape from Butcher Bay, the original and highly popular Riddick game. Released on the Xbox, the game has been all but lost in the sands of time, mainly due to the fact that the lack of backwards compatability for the Xbox 360.
Escape From Butcher Bay was well received, in that it carefully balanced it's action between shooting, stealth, and exploration to perfection. The breathtakingly detailed visuals married with an in depth and involving storyline made for a great game. However, one major flaw was present- no multiplayer, and in a first person shooter that is almost unforgivable. Suffice to say, Dark Athena is set to right this wrong. Including the original game and introducing new campaigns, Dark Athena improves upon an already exceptional game whilst bringing new gameplay to the mix.
The story picks up where Butcher Bay left off, as Riddick and bounty hunter Johns drift across space in cryostasis. Eventually Riddick's vessel is captured by the pirate ship Dark Athena. Riddick awakens and escapes, but Johns is taken aboard and held captive. With only a makeshift weapon in the form of the captain's hairpin, Riddick must use stealth and intelligence in order to escape. The use of ID locked firearms limits Riddick's options, so a degree of puzzle solving and canniness is required in order to proceed.
Dark Athena places a much larger emphasis on creative gunplay than Butcher Bay. Several new functions have been introduced ranging from simultaneous use of cover and firepower, a number of contextual weapons to use, and the ability to control various mechs.
April will see the release of Dark Athena, and this game really is a must for Riddick fans, whilst also being a highly competent FPS in its own right.