Ecco the Dolphin for Sega Genesis

Reviews

Ecco the Dolphin for the Genesis was the first Ecco game in the world and it has always been a classic video game. Even today there are still Ecco players who I meet online from all around the world and they think it's one of the greatest games ever.
The game has actually a simple, but mysterious story. Ecco swims along with his family in their Home Bay like every day, but suddenly everybody but Ecco is caught and lost without a trace in a giant vortex. Ecco now travels through Earth's seas to find out where his family has gone, and finds many different water species.
But of course not every sea creature is friendly, Ecco has a lot of enemies. Those are mostly jellyfish, sharks and sea-urchins, but he also discovers bigger and even more dangerous sea inhabitants, such as the giant octopus.

The game consists of many puzzles, which are mostly really tough, partially to despair a new player. It is a real challange for everybody who thinks he is good at games, because in this you really have to think and remember a lot. A big part in the puzzles play the glyphs, mysterious crystals from Atlantis, who sometimes lock ways to secret areas or give away clues how to finish the level. The levels are huge and sometimes you will get lost, but you will be even more glad when you finish the stage and get to the next one.

The graphics are a really strong point of this game. The animations of the sea creatures are very well done, and in every level you will get the feeling as if you are really under water. I was really amazed of the variety of sets when I played this game first and I even still am, when I play it now. This lonely sea atmosphere is supported by the storyline - lonely Ecco who has to save his pod - and the sad music. To make the game appeal even more realistic, the designers placed currents and different sets into the game

The music sounds pretty spherical, which can be a good and a bad thing. Some people might not like it and will rather switch it off, but there are really some nice pieces in this game, even though I myself prefer the CD game's musics. What really seems to be missing in this game are sound effects. You get to hear when Ecco attacks, sings and get's hurt, but that was is nearly already. Sure there are some more but I would have liked to hear some more songs, like from other of the sea creatures, but I guess good old Genesis wasn't capable to do that :P

All in all I really enjoyed and still enjoy this game. The whole mystery about Ecco's family - and my first tries to translate English into German ;) - really caught me. Also, this game is a milestone in Game's history and every future Ecco game builds up on this one. I say "well done" to Appaloosa (or Novotrade, how it was named in those days) for this great title!

Review by PsySonic