Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future Review

Eccoâs port to the PS2 is mainly the same as the Dreamcast version that was reviewed last year, so itâs the same mixture of absurd storylines, breathtaking visuals, atmospheric sound, and mellow gameplay. 

The same things that made the Dreamcast original so great have been ported to the PS2 faithfully. The graceful control system, the stunning visuals and the puzzle solving gameplay are still as fresh as they were nearly two years ago on the Dreamcast.



However the developers, Appaloosa, have listened to criticism levelled at the Dreamcast version, in particular the problems aimed at the lack of direction found within the game. 



Any of the few people who picked up the title on the Dreamcast, must have found themselves scratching their heads on more then a few occasions, aimlessly wondering around the great wide open without a clue what to do next. Appaloosa have taken this on-board, providing more hints within the game, activating the levels frequent crystals will show a cut-scene detailing what youâve got to do next. Whilst the games clues can now all be accessed by pressing start and selecting them from the level guides. The map function that was practically useless in the Dreamcast version has been completely reworked for the PS2 adaptation making it a lot easier to realise where you are and where you need to go.

That said youâll still find yourself on more then one occasion wondering around trying to figure out what to do next. Ecco is a great game for people who like to sink their teeth into games; action junkies would be well advised to stick clear.



Despite the fact that the game is over a year old, it still looks terrific, with varied and detailed textures, fantastic underwater effects and smooth motion, truly bringing this underwater title to life. Ecco is without doubt one of the better looking titles currently available on the PS2, a true tribute to the developers and to the Dreamcast that was doing this all nearly two years ago!!!