Reviewed
08.27.2000
Publisher
Sega
Developer
Appaloosa
Format
GD
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
TBA
2000 (Japan)
Jul.
25, 2000 (Europe)
Aug.
15, 2000 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Hard
Dimensions
3D
View
Multi
3rd Person
Genre
Action/Adventure
Players
1
Options
Backup
2+6
Rumble
VGA
Box
Requires
n/a
Importable
n/a
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INTRO:
> When the Dolphin series hit the
Genesis and Sega CD, it started a whole new class of
action/adventure games which has never been equaled. To
this day, the 3D levels in Ecco the Tides of Time for Sega CD
simply amaze me. Thank God Appaloosa is still around to
keep the series alive on the
Uberconsole. Their goal was to faithfully translate the
gameplay of the original into a fully realized 3D environment --
the likes of which you've never seen in a game before!
Imagine doing everything a real dolphin can do (both in and out
of the water) while solving various puzzles -- add the need to
defeat enemies like the Great White shark and you get the basic
idea...
GRAPHICS:
> Ever since early screen shots for
Ecco were released, I knew this game would be special.
Prepare your eyes for ultra realistic undersea realms.
Everything looks awesome, including Ecco, other fish, the sharks,
the water, the caves, the seaweed, the coral, and the various
locales. The views (free and fixed) work well, and are
third person behind and slightly above. I've heard
rumblings on the net about slowdown -- yes, Ecco has it.
However, it's nothing major or bothersome. There's just no
way Ecco will fall short of pure eye candy for any gamer.
Considering the fact that Ecco is Appaloosa's first uber-game,
I'd say they have a good grip on the Dreamcast's throttle...
CONTROL:
> As usual, the biggest challenge in
converting a 2D game to 3D is the gameplay. I'm happy to
report the Ecco plays very well, especially once you've gained
the experience of going through the first stage (where you learn
the basic moves). The buttons are accelerate, charge,
sonar/song, special, look/roll left, and look/roll right.
Other combination moves can be performed like tail walking,
swimming backwards, quick turns, and quick stops. By
talking to other dolphins, info shards and fish, you are given
goals to reach while solving puzzles and navigating huge
seascapes. You can also gain special limited abilities like
endurance, speed, and more. Basically, you (as Ecco) are
Earth's only hope of survival.
SOUND:
> De ja vu! If you've ever
heard the Dolphin soundtracks on Sega CD, then you know what to
expect. Ecco DOTF features plenty of soft, relaxing music
to make hours seem like minutes. I really hope an official
soundtrack is released.
> The sound effects are mint.
You'll hear water splashing, waterfalls crashing, dolphins
singing, whales mooing, and then some. I find no fault here
at all.
FUN:
> This game is definitely not
easy. Some of your tasks involve pinpoint accuracy as you
control Ecco. One thing is for sure, this game seems to
have an endless supply of puzzles to solve (get the strategy
guide). At least you can continue just about where you left
off (during a game). Get ready for one long quest to save
humanity and the dolphin world!
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