Hi folks,

is it required to play 'Escape from Butcher Bay' first to get this game's story?

Thanks

Nope, both of them are independent (Though Assault on Dark Athena begins after the first one, but only one character appears in both, plus Riddick).

But I'm not sure if following your question correctly, the Gog's edition includes two games: Escape from Butcher Bay and Assault on Dark Athena.

Not required, but recommended. Dark Athena starts exactly where Butcher Bay ends and when you compare both story wise, Butcher Bay is more important to the whole Riddick story arch than Dark Athena is.

Then I guess I should play Butcher Bay first - that was my question, thank you :)

Yes it does. Escape from Butcher Bay was remade with updated graphics.

From the wikipedia page for Butcher Bay "An enhanced remake of the game, included in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, was released in 2009."

I made the mistake of starting Assault on Dark Athena first so I'm not sure if I should go back and play Butcher Bay (I'm an hour into Dark Athena).

I'd go back and start Butcher Bay

Butcher Bay is the better game, as well.