AN OPEN LETTER

Dear Starbreeze,

Why and how is the Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay so awesome? The engine is superb. The dialogue is fantasic. Each of the game's NPCs has a distinct and unique character. The melee combat is wonderful and diverse. The stealth elements rival (and possibly best) the best of what we've seen in games that encourage sneaking as the primary gameplay element. The action sequences are some of the most intense in any first-person shooter to date, and yet, the game still contains almost RPG-like adventure sequences that totally shift the pace and tone instantly... and those sections are immensily satisfying and truly make the game stand out among its peers. The art direction is completely fitting and actually does the engine justice. (unlike a certain other upcoming FPS boasting normal-mapped graphics.) The story is great. The player can shoot out alarms to turn them off -- this is completely gratifying, by the way. And god, the ambient sound design is killer. Being able to move Riddick's ear up to a closed door or wall and hear conversations on the other side -- conversations that I actually want to hear, mind you -- makes the game completely atmospheric... as does the liberal use of cursing in dialogue and in the excellent-looking and often hilarious graffiti strewn about the prison.

And it's a game based on a movie property... it almost appears that you've done the impossible.

I've only played the game for one evening and it's not even close to over yet. And already I'm amazed at your proficiency. I'd never paid attention to your work prior to Riddick, but you can bet that I'm watching you now. Seriously, amazing work and I can't believe how much fun it is.

And it came out of nowhere...

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ryan O'Donnell Posted by ryan at June 4, 2004 08:27 AM