Flap your fins and get your tail pumping because Ecco is here,
and it is sure to bring out the Jacques Cousteau in all of us. In
one of the most beautiful games to come out ever, you'll have a
chance to explore underwater environments and interact with the
denizens of the deep as you take on the persona of Sega's Ecco The
Dolphin.
Enter the Dolphin
The 30th century is here, and humans
have moved on to other planets, leaving dolphins as the guardians of
Earth. An unknown foe, however, has destroyed the dolphin's Guardian
Crystal, protector of the planet, and scattered its pieces
throughout the seas. Playing as Ecco, it is your mission to find the
pieces and thwart the foe's plans.
Each crystal you find will show you the right path (by providing
you with vague clues), and Ecco's friends such as other dolphins,
whales, turtles, and mantas will help you complete the tasks
necessary to progress through the game. As Ecco, you will learn
songs along the way that will help you communicate with your new
associates and convince them to help you complete tasks, such as
moving rocks that block entrances and distracting enemy sea
creatures so you can quickly swim by.
There are thirty levels in the game, and you will sometimes have
to backtrack once you acquire certain powers in order to access
previously inaccessible entrances to other levels. Powers include
Air (the ability to retain oxygen longer), Endurance (the ability to
sustain more damage), Sonar (which allows you to blast through
rock), and Vigor (which makes your attacks more powerful).
Most of the time, these puzzles just require an awful lot of tail
work, such as luring a friendly creature from one area to another.
The expansive levels are highly detailed, so recognizing landmarks
is a must in order to orient yourself. Every level ends with either
a puzzle or a boss such as a great white shark, or a giant octopus
that you will either have to fight or find a way around.
Tail Power
Controlwise, Ecco leaves very little to be
desired. While getting used to the commands may throw you for a
loop, they become second nature in no time at all. The puzzles can
be downright dumbfounding at first, but they seem quite simple once
you figure them out. Most of the puzzles require precise movements
that would have been a lot easier if the camera angles were easier
to adjust.
When you get killed by enemies or just quit the level, you get to
keep any items you have found and songs you have learned, so quests
can be accomplished over a course of several tries. It may seem like
a huge chore while you're doing it, but once you finish a task, the
game gives you a real sense of accomplishment: you'll feel very
proud of yourself once you're done.
Ecco undeniably breaks new ground with its visually stunning,
varied, and extremely detailed environments, and the character
design is almost as good. From vicious great white sharks to docile
humpback whales, Ecco is an amazing visual experience. The
environmental sounds are what you'd expect to hear underwater, and
the far off singing of whales and other nice touches soothe the
senses.
Phish Story
Ecco might be the prettiest game around,
but it is also one of the toughest. While the learning curve is
steep, the sense of accomplishment you'll feel after each level is
worth every headache and finger cramp. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of
the Future is a true action/adventure game in all aspects.