The Chronicles of Riddick game: why don't I like this?

I got this game off D2D a year or so ago, and only played a portion of it. I basically thought it sucked, but I've seen so much praise for it (this week's bombcast, for instance) that I'm tempted to try it again. What qualities make this game worth playing? 

Well the hand to hand combat is excellent, and graphically, especially for when this game was made, this game is stunning. The stealth can be fun, but also it can be brutally difficult, which then when you get past a section you feel all accomplished.  
 
But I could see how not everyone might like it. So maybe it's not your cup of tea.

I say the strongest point of the game is the immersion created by the mix of different gameplay styles, you have shooter elements, stealth elements, hand to hand combat and even adventure elements, it is really a rather unique mix and you can never really guess what the game is throwing at you next. Also the setting feels more like a real place then just another streamlined corridor shooting gallery like in so many other FPS. All that said, the game might take a bit getting into, but it is definitively worth it.
 
The only real issue I had with the game where the long load times on the Xbox1, those pretty much ruined the adventure part of the game, as it made traveling around a bit of a chore.

The original game is great, fun stealth, good action and an OK story but I really didn't like Dark Athena at all.

I feel the same. 
 
Even when it came out it didn't click with me. I've just accepted it as one of those things.

Escape from Butcher Bay is one of my favourite games of all time, but I'm not surprised some people don't like it. 
 
The feel of the game is very unique and goes in a different direction compared to your everyday shooter. Movement and shooting are deliberately laboured and some obstacles aren't always dealt with in an obvious way. 
 
Add these things to the fact that... well, the game doesn't always push you in a certain direction, which combined with the very muted and gritty feel of most of the game can often give off an unwelcoming experience.  After all, prisons are not meant to be welcoming.

The badness of Vin Diesel's ass.