The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is a PS3 First-Person action game that falls under the Shooter genre which was officially released on the 6th April, 2009 by its publisher, Atari. The game is rated as M for Mature content (sexual themes, more intense violence and/or strong language) which means that it is suitable for players who are more than 17 years old by ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board), while the game’s developer is Starbreeze Studios. The Assault on Dark Athena is a combination of “Escape from Butcher Bay” and Chronicles of Riddick (the movie) but with a new story line and enhanced game play features. Players will take on the role of Riddick, the character played by Vin Diesel, using stealth power and skilled action to overcome the merciless crew of the predatory Merc-ship Dark Athena. Players need to survive through the challenging Butcher Bay by engaging in a single-player mode or intense multi-player actions. With the introduction of the ominous Merc-ship Dark Athena, that awaits helpless prey in a location far away of the galaxy, players have to encounter attacks and fighting fierce battles against the likes of the dreaded Captain Revas and her slaves of controllable combat drones. Players will enter the journey of intense and dangerous science fiction through the role of Riddick along with his stealth power, speed and strategy to handle the Dark Athena crew without being killed. Vin Diesel, who is the star of the movie helps provide the voice of the Riddick character in this PS3 game.
Review
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena started with the capturing of Richard B. Riddick by bounty hunters and followed by his numerous attempts to thwart off his captors. Player’s main goal is to play the role of Riddick and break out of Butcher Bay which is an intergalactic jail which is equivalent of the famous Alcatraz prison, using all the weapons which ever is available starting from using your fists in brutal hand to hand combat, wielding sharp-edged weapons and clubs, as well as using an arsenal of assault rifles, shotguns, and other ranged of high powered weapon, plus Riddick’s preferred trademark which is the gruesome stealth kill. The PS3 game comes with optional side-quests where some of the story missions can be completed according to your preference. The main point is to escape in what ever ways possible from the Butcher Bay’s brutal world. The prison ensures that you will always be the underdog, relying on your skills and EyeShine night vision ability in fighting off heavily armed and trigger-happy prison guards. The other enemies in this Dark Athena game is made up of Drones that have a human life form, but are controlled through various pod stations throughout. They were once human beings but have been turned into slaves implanted with a control device by the dreaded Captain Revas. When you are unable to secure any weapons or unable to go to certain locations, you can use the drone station and take control of it. By doing so, player will be in a first-person perspective shooting around and helps open up paths for Riddick. In addition, when a drone is killed, player can pick up his gun and use it as weapon. The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena also support online gaming, where players can enjoy playing with friends or opponents (up to 12 persons online) from all over the world. Players can choose from either one of the six modes like in ranked or unranked matches, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, or the Pitch Black mode where Riddick is hunted down in total darkness with the hunters able to rely on flashlights mounted to their guns in search of him. Besides that, it also has the Butcher Bay Riot where three teams fight against each other with the ability to purchase weapons, armor, and ammunitions in between them.
