Ecco the Dolphin

"The greatest game that no one knows about! (did that make sense...?)"

Ecco The Dolphin

I doubt that there will be many people reading this review, because no one seems to know about this game! Well, the truth is, this game is probably one of the greatest games EVER made, and easily one of the best games made for the Sega.

-GAMEPLAY-9
The gameplay is very unique! Ecco swims easily through the water using the arrow buttons, and you can speed up and use super speed by pressing the other buttons. You can use your sonar by using, I believe, the C button, and hold it down to use your Echolocation.

The REALLY neat thing about all the controls is they are very realistic. I especially like the idea of the echolocation command, because it gives you a map of your surroundings and it's what dolphins really do in the wild. It's nice how they fit that into the game.

I would give this game a perfect 10, but unfortunately there are several levels, especially near the end, where it is nearly impossible to get through. I have never beaten the game without the cheat code, and it can be extremely challenging.

-STORY-10
This game has a very in-depth and interesting storyline. Basically, Ecco's pod has been swept away from him into nowhere, and he, the only one left and feeling quite confused, must search for them. He learns more and more of what is going on as he begins to look, and it turns out that more is going on behind the pod's dissapearence than he ever realized.

The story is integrated into the gameplay flawlessly, and you begin to feel like your quite involved in the story yourself.

-AUDIO/VISUAL-9
The graphics are astounding, especially for a 16-bit system. The rocks, fish, plants, and scenerey over all are the best you'll see for the Genesis. The music is no less, matching the underwater feel in an eerie sense. It's perfect for the game.

As for the sound FX, they are mostly OK except for the sound Ecco makes when he gets hurt. He sounds like a cat in a garbage disposal--it's awful! This is improved in the second game, though, and it's the only real problem with the sound in this game.

-REPLAY- 7
There's nothing to make you want to replay this game, but if you're at all like me, you'll play again and again just because...well, I don't know why, but you just will =). It's fun for some reason. I mean, how many games are out there where you get to play a DOLPHIN, for cryn' out loud?! It has some replay value, even if it's just to get a break from the usual gaming to something utterly unique.

BUY OR RENT...

Well, I promise that you won't find this game at the rental store anymore, but as far as buying goes, I STRONGLY advise that you add this game to your collection. It's a gem!

-OVERALL- 8

It's an amazing game! There are only a few problems with it, but they are few and far between. And if you're reading this review right now and you've gotten this far, then I'm telling you, BUY THIS GAME!!! I promise you, it's NOTHING like watching Flipper on T.V.!!!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/16/01, Updated 04/16/01