Ecco the Dolphin for Genesis
Review #4170
Ecco the Dolphin
Dolphin drowning
Gameplay
Swimming around is an absolute revelation. Trying to attack enemies, eating fish to replenish health, or moving things around with your nose, those are an absolute nightmare.
It's incredibly novel but ultimately the floaty controls of swimming and the mechanic of running out of water every 15 seconds add up to a frustrating experience.
Level Design
I wish this game had a better map. You can scan the immediate area around you but you only can see a tiny bit of area around your immediate vicinity so it's not terribly helpful.
It's basically just one maze after the other where you have to find a place to replenish your air or you'll drown after about 15 seconds. When you do drown your sent all the way back to the start of the level. So you have to draw a map to yourself to get around.
I would just as soon stay in the opening pool to swim around for 10 minutes or so.
Theme
Easily one of the greatest opening scenes in video game history. I won't show it but just when you think, this is fun but what am I supposed to do, the game punches you in the face and leaves your jaw on the floor.
This is such an interesting concept. I remember it being so unique back in the day. I played it and wanted to enjoy it more than I did.
Art Style
Beautiful animation! After a while everything looks a bit samey, but the initial impression is very good. The colors are quite muted, which is strange but I guess it matches the melancholy setting that the game's opening sets you in. If it were more colorful, you might not remember the dire circumstances you're in.
Audio
The music is nice
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