REVIEW

Ecco: Defender of the Future::.

 

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  Publisher: Sega 
Developer: Appaloosa Interactive
Genre: Adventure 
Origin: Japan
Number of Players:
Release: 08/16/2000
Online: No
Peripherals: Jump Pack, VMU, Controller
Cost: ~$39.99
 
 

.:VisionScores:

9.5

Excellent

Gameplay- 10
Graphics-
10
Sound-
9
Replay-
9
Rent/Buy-
Buy
Mood-
:)  :|  :(
  s  

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s
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Ecco the Dolphin on Sega Genesis was one of my favorite games of all time. I mean, hell, I liked the game so much that was the sole reason I bought my Dreamcast. But after reading a few online reviews, I was skeptical on how good this game was going to be. Was Ecco going to live up to my expectations? Two words can answer this question, hell yes!

The tale in Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Universe was very well told and interesting throughout the game. The game takes place in the 30th century. Ecco is given the burden of having to save the world, not only one time but three times throughout the game. Ecco, our hero, must travel across huge underwater levels in order to defeat the evil alien race Foe who happens to hate dolphin and humans alike.


"The graphics, in my mind, are the best graphics ever on a home video game console."


Now where this game really shines is its marvelous graphics. The graphics, in my mind, are the best graphics ever on a home video game console. The creatures are absolutely magnificent and are completely accurate. Ecco’s model is perfect and the sharks in this game move as they would in a real ocean. You can tell Appaloosa studied some animal life in the ocean to make this game. Everything in this game looks good, even the little fishy. The graphics in this game are so good, even if you have no interest in this game whatsoever, its still worth a rental just because of the incredible graphics.

Okay, so we have a good story and graphics but there isn’t a game without good gameplay, right? Fortunately, Ecco delivers in this department, too. While some reviewers marked the game down for being too difficult, I never knew this was such a bad thing. God forbid we make our little brains think to advance in a game. This difficulty was a welcome change to me and made me enjoy the game more. Scattered throughout the sea are crystals, which provide you clues and hints on what to do next. While most of these hints were useful, some just made the level more confusing. Fare warning to those who are planning to buy this game, this game is extremely long. Ecco requires patience, so buyers beware, if your looking for a fast paced action game…this is probably not the game for you.

The controls in Ecco take a little bit of time to get used to but once you figure them out, they are dead-on. The flips and barrel rolls are extremely easy and fun to do and are a sight to see. There really isn’t much to the controls. X is used for Sonar and to display the map, Y is to stop, B is to dash and is used as the attack, and A is used to swim. The faster you press A the faster Ecco will swim. Once you get him up to a certain speed you can just hold A and he will glide at that speed. Amazing!

What can I say about the sound? Lets put it this way, the sound effect are unbelievable. From Ecco’s sonar to the sounds of the aquatic life, all this is absolutely fantastic. While the sound effects are good, the music was boring and a chore to listen to. It was too repetitive. I guess to some the music might have been relaxing but I couldn’t stand it.

After playing this game for a couple days straight, there is only one thing on my mind. I want to be a dolphin. I know what you are probably thinking, is this guy crazy? You would know exactly what I am talking about if you play this game. I mean think about, dolphins are one of the most graceful animals and we get to control them in a video game for hours and hours! This game has it all- beautiful graphics, a good story, and best of all great gameplay. I am going to go with a broad statement here, but this is the best Dreamcast game yet. Sure it has its flaws, but every game does, and Ecco is one of the most innovative games ever to come out. Screw the other reviews you have read and go buy this game…if you don’t like it you have problems!

By: Nathan Shipley