Console Domain

"Gorgeous graphics and spacious game environments "


Total Games

"Developers Appaloosa Interactive have managed to come up with a world that is as real as you can get (without someone walking in and throwing a bucket of sea-water in your face). "


GameSpot

"Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future has the potential to be the defining Dreamcast experience."


Game FAQs

"The graphics in this game are some of the best i have seen on the dreamcast. "


GamePlay

"Ecco for Dreamcast will leave you squawking and whistling for more."


SegaWeb

"Incredible photorealistic graphics "


Total VideoGames

"Thankfully Ecco has the same graphic realisation, and has some of the best animation I have ever seen, as he swims, swirls, loops, everything looks perfect, as do the other creatures inhabiting the sea, basically this game looks the business, check out the screens and imagine it running super smoothly and you're somewhere close to how good it looks."


Dreamcast Magazine

"You can swim any way you like, roll and turn upside down, and even perform half-loops to turn around quickly. And then there's the jumping, which adds a whole extra dimension to the gameplay. "


Game-online

"Ecco looks fantastic, is hugely atmospheric and has a strangely hypnotic quality"


Gamefiber

"Well, of course phenomenal graphics..."


Gamecrazy

"Appaloosa's goal was to create nothing less than an onscreen dolphin that was as alive as any documentary footage you might see on television. "


Sega2000.net

"Ecco is trully an amazing game. Not only it combines great visuals but also a fab gameplay plus great replay value do the awesome Al and also to the unique and changelling 34 levels. "


Dreamcast.ign.com

"Defender of the Future could have been titled Dolphin Simulator 2000 for the accuracy in which they relate a dolphin's movements and sounds."


Ant.com

"This game has the best graphics yet on the Dreamcast, and probably the best graphics on any video game, EVER."


DailyRadar.com

"Ecco's 25+ stages of fluid, gorgeous gameplay show it has the brawn to back up its beauty. The question lies in how many brave gamers out there are willing to shell out the dough and take up the challenge."


Shinforce.com

"Considering the fact that Ecco is Appaloosa's first uber-game, I'd say they have a good grip on the Dreamcast's throttle... "


ZDNet: GameSpot

"The environment that Ecco roams is incredible. Let's dispense with the pleasantries: Defender of the Future is one of the most beautiful games ever. Playing Ecco is like transforming your television screen into a porthole on the side of the Nautilus."


AllDreamcast.com

"Playing Ecco is like transforming your room into a submersible underwater vehicle, with your tv screen being your window into the ocean depths."


Gamepro.com

"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."


Segadojo

"This is the best looking game on any system. This includes anything shown on the PS2 at this years E3. There are a few Dreamcast titles later this year that might give it a run for it's money, but as of right now this game is king."


Segaspace.com

"The graphics are amazing, no one could complain about controlling one of the most graceful creatures in the world, the sound is good and there's something here for everyone, from young to old"


Dremcast HQ

"Appaloosa spared no expense in bringing Ecco into the world of 3D. It's unbelievable what you can do on the Dreamcast when you really sit down and put the effort through. The world of Ecco the Dolphin is done with the help of a rendered ocean environment adapted from countless videos, photographs, and other resources. And not only is the environment huge, but extremely colorful and very VERY well detailed."


DC-Realm

"Determination and a level of common sense is required to undertake your mission as Ecco, but what a worthy game to get involved in. Along side 'Resident Evil: Code Veronica' this is quite simply the best Dreamcast Game we have played and would recommend it to anyone. Most gamers of Average ability and common sense will become involved in the world of Ecco and will just want to play and play and play it until each task or new skill is achieved and the game can continue."


Swirlvision.com

"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."


Slammer.com

"Game critics are always whinging over the lack of invention in games nowadays, well Ecco The Dolphin is defiantly original and at times borders on (cough) a relaxing experience. If you want something invigorating to add to your game library, or are a sucker for eye-candy and don't give up easily, Ecco The Dolphin - Defender of The Future comes highly recommended."


Games Terminal

"To sum up, any fans of the original games need a copy of this new instalment. For those who've not experienced Ecco before I'd certainly suggest giving it a try. The game itself is certainly big for an adventure title and will have you going for ages. The visuals are breathtaking (though sometimes it seems to take away the dramatic pace) but the game is more than just a pretty picture and plays superbly in all areas."


Udreamcast.com

"The gameplay is the most debated issue in the game for many people. Some hated it, but others found it to be amazing. I knew what to expect, so I was in no way disappointed. In fact, I found it to be one of the deepest games to be made for any system so far."


Planetdreamcast.com

"If you persist and have the time to learn Ecco's massive levels, however, you'll find it immensely rewarding, especially once you reach Atlantis itself. Even if through reading this review you don't like the idea of Ecco (i.e. you're an action-quick-fix-junkie) at least try renting Ecco for an evening or two."


Gamefan.com

"Everything you've heard about Ecco's difficulty is true. It is hard.mind-numbing, pull-your-hair-out-in-frustrated-rage hard. This is one of those rare games that actually makes you work for the pay-off; and because the game itself is the phenomenal pay-off--the return of a great character, an engaging story, refreshing play mechanics, and orgasmic graphics--you'll consider every hour of brain-racking intrigue spent with Ecco an hour very well spent."


Sega-otaku.com

"First, this game is a visual tour de force that stands with the best of them, Dreamcast or otherwise...... Second, the rich effects and ambient-music tracks do a fantastic job of immersing you into this underwater world, complementing the visuals beautifully.......... Third, the controls are extremely fluid and deceptively simple......"


Gameboyz.com

"Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future is the best-looking game I have seen in a long while and it combines that with a great main character, an engaging story and fabulous locations. If you can deal with the difficulty of some of the game, it is a very rewarding experience."


Gamersrebuplic.com

"Fortunately for everyone involved, Appaloosa has delivered their finest game to date by not only creating a formidable sequel, but actually improving on the original formula while bringing the game into a stunning 3D universe. Considering the game's surreal overtones, vivid topographic worlds, and underwater physics, this must have been hard to fathom to say the least, and, having played my share of Dreamcast, I can attest to the team's stalwart efforts."


Gaming Age Review

"Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future is not a game to be completed in one sitting. It definitely requires a commitment, as when you finally think you are getting deep into the game, you realize it has only just begun!....
.....Well, needless to say, I love the game. In my opinion, it is one of the best all around adventure games I have played since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Metal Gear Solid. It's absorbing, beautiful, plays well, and will provide many, many hours of adventuring. Fans of the original Ecco games, will love Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, and after putting in a few hours, I don't see how anyone else could not totally get into it. Let's hope the rumors of a sequel are indeed true."


Sega Dreamcast Hotgames.com

"But all in all, Ecco is a great game, with clever puzzles to solve, lots of action, and some seriously tense moments. But you will detest the day you spotted this blowhole if intelligent, thoughtful (and yes, slow) games are not your can of tuna. Ecco is a game with a porpoise, and that porpoise is to entertain the witty and insightful gamer. This is not a fishy fighting game."


K-Gaming

"Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future is a gorgeous, very playable title which occasionally suffers from a lack of direction but that shows off the power of the Dreamcast as well as any game I've seen. The lack of guns, explosions and cars might be an instant turn-off for some of you but I'd urge anyone who's even the slightest bit bored of all those driving, shooting and fighting games to give Ecco a try. The PlayStation has Crash Bandicoot, Nintendo has Mario... and now that the Dreamcast has Ecco, forget Sonic! It deserves a lot of credit!"


The Sega Zone

"Like every other aspect of this game play mechanics are top notch. Level structure and objectives are wonderfully scripted. Everything from a search and rescue operation to learning how to use the super cool Labor Harness is exciting and well thought out. The games mission objectives have been accused by some critics of being a little obscure, in reality this was intentional, most of the games objectives come in the form of hints and riddles obtained from information shards. With a little bit of exploration and some keen thinking you will be able to get through the game. The difficulty level is I'll admit quite high and maybe frustrating for some players, but lets face it if it was easy we would all be complaining anyway."


copyright Appaloosa Interactive, inc. 2000.