The Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is a very intriguing title, not because it is based on a Vin Diesel action movie, but because it doesn't completely and absolutely suck. In fact, it's not just the best movie-licensed game ever, but one of the best single player first person shooter adventures ever.

The story isn't a game version of the film, either. Like 2003's 'Enter The Matrix', Escape From Butcher Bay tells a part of one giant story that the movies (Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick) tell. While I'm not very familiar with Pitch Black, fans will definitely appreciate connections made here and the new things revealed. From the start you're sent into a high-security prison called Butcher Bay, and, of course, you don't want to be here so it's up to you to find a way out. Riddick not only has Vin's likeness, but also has his voice, which is done surprisingly well (and a lot better than many leading characters in games today). However, apparently that's not all he does well, as he himself played a big role in the development of this title, and the result is very, very good. So good in fact that I haven't been this impressed with FPS innovation since the granddaddy of all console shooters, Halo.

Whilst I think the shooting could sometimes feel better (more rumbling in the controller and a little more pull back of the guns when they're fired would be nice), the melee attacks are possibly the best ever in a shooting game due to the satisfying and often bloody results. Not only do you swing at your enemies with a variety of punches, clubs and shivs, but you also can link attacks together for simple combo attacks and even reverse enemy strikes. An example is an enemy guard who can swing his gun at you and with careful timing you can push the gun back up at his own face as he pulls the trigger. This is the best and quickest way to take down a guard when you're unarmed. Every melee weapon has its own stealth attacks and counter moves as well, making it one of the best parts of the game and often more fun than using the guns.

Continuing the innovation is the nearly non-existent heads-up display (HUD). All that's on the screen is a couple of small blocks that represent health. Ammo is displayed on the guns themselves and your aiming reticule is the laser dot from you gun. This game is also not split up into levels; instead it's basically one big (although short) adventure with checkpoints here and there so you can come back later. Lastly, you won't find any ladder gliding in this game. When you tell Riddick to do something such as climb a ladder, or shimmy across a wall, the game will go into third person view instead of simply having your character glide across a ladder or object like in other FPS games like Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

Oh yeah, and dare I say that the graphics are possibly the best the Xbox has seen in a shooting game? If they're not then they must be a very close runner up. Whilst some televisions may show some jagged edges, it's only a slight problem when you look at the awesome textures and character models. Not only that but it also runs very smoothly at all times. Finally, when you look down you'll actually see the rest of Riddick's body, something other first person games lack as well (even the big name games). Unfortunately Riddick's shadow does not match the shape of things around him and often looks very out of place and unfinished.

The lighting effects here are absolutely superb, especially when using your eyeshine (if you're not familiar with this, I'll let you discover the beauty of it for yourself when you play) or when crouching down; when crouched you enter stealth mode and if the screen is tinted blue then that means you're out of view from anybody and anything; be careful though, as this can quickly change. Worth mentioning is the fact that any light you see can be shot out, leaving you in pitch black (the way Riddick likes it).

Sound wise The Chronicles of Riddick is very strong but I suppose it could be a little better. While the music is not very memorable (when it is there), the voice acting is superb, although many characters will repeat themselves when you confront them multiple times in a row. I was very impressed however by the fact that each and every non-playable character (NPC) has their own personality, goals and conflicts. When exploring the areas behind the futuristic prison walls you'll encounter a variety of characters, none of which are the same.

As great as Riddick is, there are a number of problems. Firstly and most obviously is the game's length and lack of multiplayer. The game tops out at around 10 hours without doing the side quests and not only is it short but it's also not very difficult. No multiplayer whatsoever hurts the replay value big time as well. With a great engine and outstanding melee attacks, Riddick Online would have been an absolute blast. Next there is a lack of weapon variety but in its defence it just wouldn't make sense to have a sniper rifle here. All of the guns you do have fit perfectly into the game's worlds and most of them must be taken from enemies, such as the awesome mini-gun that has to be detached from a giant robot arm before you can use it (which means you have to kill it first).

Whilst you venture to various locations within the prison throughout the game, the environments are always very similar, unfortunately. Luckily they are all done well and the levels are laid out reasonably good, despite being very linear at times.

Lastly, while at times the enemy AI can be very impressive, other times it seems like it doesn't even exist. At one point I was trying to take down an armed guard with my fists and can remember saying to myself that I was impressed with how the enemy would back away as he fired at me, making sure I couldn't attack him while he reloaded. Then I watched as he backed right off of a cliff and fell to his death. Right before this happened, I clearly remember jumping out of a shaft to land behind an enemy and then breaking his neck quickly (and I did it so I would be heard instead of the quiet way). His partner heard this, I know he did because he turned around and looked at me as I killed his friend. Then, after his friend was dead, he turned back around like none of this happened, then turned around again only to bend over and tie his shoe (I think he was actually looking at his friend's body, but I swear it looked like he was making sure his boots were securely tightened) at which point I broke his neck as well.

So, like I said, sometimes the enemies are smart and sometimes they're complete idiots. You can drag bodies so other enemies don't find them but I've never had a use for this except to drag a body off a ledge for kicks. I found myself killing every guard I came across anyway, so hiding bodies would have been pointless.

If you're looking a next-generation single player first person shooter with excellent presentation, great graphics and very, very enjoyable gameplay (and don't mind the complete lack of any multiplayer) than this game is for you. Though the game is relatively short and can be beaten quickly, it does have collectables and some side-quests but picky buyers will want to just rent this one. Don't let Riddick's flaws stop you though, even if you're just renting it, this game is a must play.

From the emotional and very cinematic introduction to the incredibly intense and suspenseful ending, The Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay has come out of nowhere and proved that movie-licensed games can not only be good, but revolutionary. The only thing holding this game back from a perfect score of 10 is the combination of its short length and the lack of any sort of multiplayer mode. Considering how much fun it would have been, its omission is a crime almost greater than those Riddick is guilty of.

Reviewed by Christopher Martin for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).