“The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butchers Bay” by Vivendi Universal Games, although not ground breaking, is a great example of how a game can combine different aspects from an assortment of different game play styles and succeed in making one of this years best “Xbox” titles.

“The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butchers Bay” is not a video game adaptation of this summers sci-fi hit featuring Vin Diesel. “The Chronicles of Riddick: EBB” is in fact set in the same universe as “The Chronicles of Riddick” and the film “Pitch Black” but acts as a prequel to those films. It is a first person shooter that tells the story of anti-hero Richard B. Riddick as he attempts to escape from the triple max security prison affectionately named Butchers Bay. You begin the game as Riddick as he first enters Butchers Bay, Riddick will have to fight to survive his entire stay at the prison where most of the inmates and prison guards like to use ample amounts of colorful four letter metaphors and attempt to kill you any chance they get. The game play incorporates run and gun action, stealth segments (i.e. hide from the guards) and even first person hand to hand brawling.

The graphics are top notch and really take advantage of the horse power only a system like the “Xbox” can provide. Butchers Bay comes to life, thanks in part too amazing lighting and shadow effects. Seldom have I seen such effects used with such skill as to provide a feeling of awe and wonder as the developers have managed to accomplish with this game.

Vivendi Universal Games was wise to pattern the controls after another great Xbox game, Halo. Those who are already familiar with Halo will have little to no problem adjusting to “Chronicles of Riddick: EBB” control configuration.

“The Chronicles of Riddick: EBB” is a dark and at time disturbing game, it is filled with violent, brutal experiences that for the unprepared could be overwhelming. This is not a game that young children should play, but the game might be more effective than any scared straight program would be at conveying the hell that prison life could provide to this country’s at risk youth. “The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butchers Bay” is a very good game and should provide many hours of enjoyment for mature gamers.