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The Ridiculously Good Chronicles of Riddick Games

keefged4

Member
Shit, give em to Bluepoint since they dont have fuckall to do right now.

Im sure Nightdive has their hands full with cool projects that pubs wont shitcan.
Bluepoint would be a good shout, although they change things too much I feel. Nightdive would be more faithful
 
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IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman


In this prequel game to both Pitch Black and the Chronicles of Riddick proper, Vin Diesel must escape the notorious Butcher Bay prison colony before Xzibit and friends show him the true meaning of slam. This is somehow one of the best movie licensed games ever.

00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Versions & Fixes Rabbithole
05:23 - The Riddickverse
07:47 - Game Premise
11:27 - Visuals
16:14 - Music & Sound Design
18:36 - Gameplay Mechanics
26:59 - Story (SPOILERS)
36:42 - Conclusions
37:26 - Credits
38:46 - Vent

Overview of Riddick Games

- The speaker discusses the Riddick games, particularly highlighting their unique qualities and the potential they hold.
- They mention playing through "Cloak Protocol" and how it reignited their interest in the Riddick franchise.
- The speaker describes "Butcher Bay" as a standout movie-licensed game, noting its challenging installation on non-console platforms.

Versions of Butcher Bay

- The speaker details the three different versions of "Butcher Bay," explaining the unique challenges each presents for players.
- The original Xbox version is noted for its graphical fidelity but is easy to set up if one possesses the necessary hardware.
- The PC version, referred to as the developer cut, is complicated by DRM issues and various bugs, particularly when played at higher resolutions.
- The remastered version for Xbox 360 is criticized for its significant visual changes, including excessive color correction and loss of original atmosphere.

Gameplay Mechanics and Issues

- The speaker discusses various gameplay mechanics, such as movement issues linked to mouse settings and the necessity of adjusting refresh rates for smoother gameplay.
- There are mentions of graphical issues like aliasing and flickering, particularly when using modern GPUs.
- The speaker highlights the importance of patches and community fixes to improve stability and performance.

Visual and Artistic Elements

- The visuals of "Butcher Bay" are described as gritty and atmospheric, with a focus on maintaining a unique aesthetic throughout the game.
- The speaker contrasts the original look of the game with the remastered version, noting how the latter's overuse of post-processing effects detracts from the overall experience.
- The game's setting transitions from a rundown prison to high-tech environments, creating a stark contrast that enhances the narrative experience.

Character and Story Development

- The character of Riddick is explored, detailing his backstory and evolution throughout the franchise, including his origins in the movie "Pitch Black."
- The speaker emphasizes Riddick's complex relationship with other characters, particularly Johns, and how their dynamic shifts over time.
- The narrative of "Butcher Bay" is described as straightforward but engaging, with references to the broader lore of the Riddick universe.

Gameplay Experience and Mechanics

- The speaker provides insights into the melee combat system, explaining its mechanics and how they compare to other games.
- They describe the balance between stealth and combat, highlighting how players can choose their approach to various situations.
- The level design allows for multiple strategies, encouraging players to engage with the environment in creative ways.

Audio and Voice Acting

- The audio design is praised, with special mention of the layered ambient effects and unique sounds for weapons and technology.
- Voice acting, particularly by Vin Diesel and other cast members, is highlighted for its quality and immersion.
- The speaker notes some inconsistencies in audio levels and delivery but overall finds the voice acting to be a strong point of the game.

Final Thoughts on Butcher Bay

- The speaker concludes by reflecting on "Butcher Bay" as one of the best movie-licensed games, despite its technical issues and installation challenges.
- They express a desire for the game to be more accessible and better optimized for modern platforms.
- The discussion hints at future content related to the Riddick franchise, indicating that the exploration of this universe is far from over.
 

Von Hugh

Member
So, I love Butcher Bay. It still amazes me how a Vin Diesel derived, movie based game from twenty years ago still stands out, even graphically, amongst all the endless trash that has come out during the last two decades.

It's just perfect. The graphics are probably amongst the best there is before Crysis. But most importantly the atmosphere is one of the best I have ever experienced in a video game. And taking into consideration how everything from sound design to level design, voice acting to story, and graphics to gameplay feel can affect atmosphere in a video game, it is absolutely amazing how a small Swedish game studio could pull this off in 2004. Absolutely riddickulous.
 
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