Ecco the Dolphin for PC

Reviews

Ecco the Dolphin for the PC is the best version of the first game out there. There are several reasons for this, generally it combines the best things about the first game and adds a great thing from the Ecco TOT :)

First of all, the game is totally new programmed and it is based on the Sega CD version of Ecco 1. The first good thing is that the music from Ecco CD is also used for this game. Even though sometimes are different music tracks used in the levels (which don't fit as well as in the Sega CD version) it's great to listen to those great music tracks during the game. I have to say something bad about the sound effects though, cause some of them are missing in this version, which means there are even less sound effects...

The next cool thing is that the graphics got a major improvement! The graphics resolution has been upgraded to 640*480 pixels which means it's twice as good as the old graphics. You have to look at the screenshots I've taken at the bottom of this page! Even if some of the graphics look rather rushed and a little washy, most of them are well redrawn, especially the dolphin animations. It's really a pleasure for your eyes to look at those graphics!

The best thing about this version are the videos, which have been taken from Ecco TOT CD and are recolored for this version and look even better! Unfortunately a part had been taken out, probably due to space problems on the CD ROM, it's the part where Ecco is being chased by a shark... Sometimes the videos also spoil the storyline and make it easier for you to finish the next mission. But that's no problem I think, you will rather be amazed of the cool rendered ocean and dolphins :)

Also some good points about this game are the possibility to save your game. The password system has been taken out. The game has also been translated into three European langues along with English and you can now choose out of three difficulties.

I recommend this game to every Ecco fan, cause it is the best version of the first Ecco game and you will really enjoy it! I myself still play it sometimes, even though it's running a little fast on my newer PC, but that can also be configured :)

Review by PsySonic

in-game Screenshots: