For all four Ecco Fans...

I just thought I'd share this with you guys.

I wrote a blog about how awesome Ecco was, and somebody accidentally posted it on the front page of Destructoid, probably thinking it was about Skyrim or something.

Location: The cold and the beautiful

Now, I've written a lot of things that I thought were pretty good, (probably not true) but I don't like self promoting. In this case, I figured it was relevant since it's probably one of the only recent articles about Ecco to make its way on a mostly mainstream game site such as Destructoid.

Spread the word of Ecco! His name must be praised, sung across the seas!

Hope you guys enjoy it. :)

(Oh and good ol' FlackoWeasel's art can be seen in the corner there too which I hope she'll be happy to know.)

I have yet to understand why this game is praised.

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Originally Posted by Thunderblaze16

I have yet to understand why this game is praised.

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Same here. It always felt very bland.

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Originally Posted by Forgotten Sin

Same here. It always felt very bland.

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How can you call a game about time travel and space aliens bland?

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Originally Posted by Thunderblaze16

I have yet to understand why this game is praised.

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It's all about the atmosphere, the environment, the ambient music, the beautiful graphics (there's not really anything better on the MD from a visual design standpoint, only with better special effects), the crazy storyline, the mysterious puzzles. Plus it's hard as all hell, I've never beaten it.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

How can you call a game about time travel and space aliens bland?

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Don't forget the ancient stuff and the dolphins. Gotta love dolphins.

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Originally Posted by Kamahl

It's all about the atmosphere, the environment, the ambient music, the beautiful graphics (there's not really anything better on the MD from a visual design standpoint, only with better special effects), the crazy storyline, the mysterious puzzles. Plus it's hard as all hell, I've never beaten it.

Don't forget the ancient stuff and the dolphins. Gotta love dolphins.

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I played and beat Ecco 1 without reading any reviews or guides or anything back when it was released. Playing through the games without knowing the big twist in the story was a colossal mindfuck that made such a huge impression on me. I think if you play the game today, knowing what twists it has, diminishes the experienced.

I also beat Ecco 2 without a guide or any spoilers, but, given that it's a sequel to Ecco 1, the amount of trippy mind-fuck shit that went on in the game was less impaction. Still an incredible game, and overall much better than ecco 1 IMO. The lack of a proper ecco 3 makes the ending to Ecco 2 incredibly sad.

My favorite part in the series is when you travel to the good future where dolphins have hyper evolved and rule the world peacefully.

The Dreamcast game is completely unrelated, but just as awesome. It has a lot of mindfuck moments too. My favorite part in the game is the future where dolphins evolved into evil dictators and turned on man, and ruled them with an iron fist.

Oh, and i read your article. Great writing! Only thing to comment on is that the humans in the ecco world are not all dead and buried as you claim. Rather, in the Sega CD manual (and maybe the genesis one, I dunno, I only have the Sega CD version) it explains what happened to the humans. It seems Ecco takes place in some distant future where humanity has left the earth, conscious of the Vortex. The manual takes place during some sort of meeting of council members as they're debating leaving earth, specifically as they wonder what will happen to all the life they leave behind. One member says that earth will be inherited by the dolphin, the smartest remaining animals on the planet, and that perhaps they will defend the planet from the vortex.

As we see in the distant future in Ecco 2, that is exactly what happens.

TheSonicRegard, I think you hit the nail spot on. I try to avoid reading or watching reviews of games that I have yet to complete. I had no idea that there was a SEGA Dreamcast game.

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Originally Posted by SEGA.GENESIS1989

TheSonicRegard, I think you hit the nail spot on. I try to avoid reading or watching reviews of games that I have yet to complete. I had no idea that there was a SEGA Dreamcast game.

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It's a pretty awesome game, it was also ported to the PS2. It's pretty long, spread across into 4 chapters, and, by virtue of being in 3D, it's a lot harder. It's a complete reboot for the series, touching on neither the events of Ecco 1 or 2, but the story it tells is sort of a blend of those 2 games. The vortex is replaced by a different alien force known as "The Foe" and Humanity and dolphin have banded together to fight The Foe as they explore the universe. Back at home, a great glyph provides a force field repelling The Foe, but, in an all out invasion, the glyph is destroyed and the foe invades. Ecco time travels using atlantis to restore the glyph, but in doing so, he changes the future wildly. The game takes you through 4 very different futures where man and dolphin evolve in various ways. In one, for example, the dolphin become dumb and get enslaved by humanity. In another, they become hyper aggressive and enslave humanity themselves.

My favorite level in the game is The Hanging Waters, which is pretty much a 3D remake of The Tubes of Medusa from The Tides of Time.

Great game, you should check it out. And it has an awesome soundtrack in the vein of the Sega CD games. And it's narration is also top notch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSSG-...0CF2AF94BA51A4

I absolutely adore Ecco the dolphin. I think it's pretty funny that you can very easily tell who did and didn't get very far in the games based on their views and comments on the series. Those who didn't get far always seem to think it's nothing more than a game about a dolphin and never see what the big deal is. Those who did know about how trippy and giant of a mindfuck it is. One of the best stories in any game I've ever played.

For those who will never go back and fully play the game, at least take a look at the fully animated retelling of Ecco 1 from Ecco 2 Sega CD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m-xXRbNp6M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QmbZ3-ApzE

It's a pretty awesome 15 minute long movie detailing the entire story for the first game. Also, I can't talk about ecco without talking about how unbelievable the Sega CD soundtracks are. Every track is incredible, but two in particular stick out:

St. Gabriel's Mask:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuNwZ9GqBFU

The Vents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upJ_1Q1WJy0

Such a haunting, beautiful soundtrack

TheSonicRetard - Yeah, I do remember all that. In fact, the plot of Ecco 3 was supposed to have Ecco visiting the Atlantians. I should have specified but I was trying to keep things simple. All I meant was that there are no humans at all in the game, so we can presume its not set on the shores of Mexico or something like that. It appears to be an alternate, human free world, from what the story implies.

Oh, and there was also a sequel to the dreamcast game in production, but it was canceled very early on. An alpha of the game has been leaked online.

Ecco the Dolphin is a pretty good game, it's not one of the best games, but it's certainly not bad.

I think most people just get frustrated when they play it. It would of been nice if there were checkpoints in between levels, instead of going all the way back to the beginning of a level and doing whatever you had to do over again, and that's my only compliant.

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Originally Posted by eddiespruce

Ecco the Dolphin is a pretty good game, it's not one of the best games, but it's certainly not bad.

I think most people just get frustrated when they play it. It would of been nice if there were checkpoints in between levels, instead of going all the way back to the beginning of a level and doing whatever you had to do over again, and that's my only compliant.

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There are checkpoints in the Sega CD version. That version is much, much better than the Genesis version all around. It has better music, better levels (including a few exclusive levels), and it's easier because there are checkpoints.

Oddly enough, there is a level exclusive to the japanese version of the game called The Stomach which is the hardest level in the entire series. In that level, your sonar doesn't work and the level design is random and odd, and it's a constantly scrolling level. Even more bizarre, it was cut from the US version, and isn't on any Sega CD versions, either japanese or US. And, weirdest of all, it uses a bunch of art from Ecco 2, which had a very different art style.

Am I the only person that actually prefers the Genesis versions?

Despite the lack of checkpoints, I prefer the chip soundtrack of the Genesis version.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

There are checkpoints in the Sega CD version. That version is much, much better than the Genesis version all around. It has better music, better levels (including a few exclusive levels), and it's easier because there are checkpoints.

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Well, I never knew that! Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to pick up the Sega CD version sometime.:)

I really enjoyed playing through the Sega CD version of Ecco the Dolphin. I've only played it through once though. The Dreamcast game is absolutely stunning, but I haven't finished it, it gets freaking hard.

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Originally Posted by Phosis

TheSonicRetard - Yeah, I do remember all that. In fact, the plot of Ecco 3 was supposed to have Ecco visiting the Atlantians. I should have specified but I was trying to keep things simple. All I meant was that there are no humans at all in the game, so we can presume its not set on the shores of Mexico or something like that. It appears to be an alternate, human free world, from what the story implies.

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:D just checking. I like the tone and feel of the story in ecco - everything about it has this ominous, unknown quality to it. One of my favorite aspects of the game is the so-called dolphin speak. I like how everything is phrased by the sea creatures, because it sounds alien and bizarre. Little touches like the dolphins never referring to themselves as dolphins, but rather "singers." Or how the asterite tells ecco, "it's wonderful to feel your song again" when they meet again in the future.

It just all adds up to a very atmospheric, thick feeling. I'm hard pressed to think of another game from that time period which produced such a rich, dark story and feeling, especially given the limited amount of text in the game.

Part of me wishes they would have made Ecco 3, either the planned 32X version (which was never started, and exists only as a cinepak video of ecco jumping through his own logo, on a cart displayed at CES 94) or the canceled saturn project (which did get started, but not very far). But over the years, the lack of resolution in the story has felt more and more right. A game as dark and ominous as the original ecco games doesn't deserve a bright and cheery ending, and the ending we got with ecco forever lost in the tides of time, never seen again, while the vortex is forced to go back in time, only to find creatures so primitive that she cannot control them, and has to evolve over eons into the crustaceans we know (which explains why they're always so aggressive towards ecco) feels so right today.

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Originally Posted by Gogogadget

Am I the only person that actually prefers the Genesis versions?

Despite the lack of checkpoints, I prefer the chip soundtrack of the Genesis version.

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I know quite a few people who prefer the genesis version, I'm just not one of them. I do recognize that the Genesis music has charm, but I much prefer the dark, melancholy feel of the Sega CD soundtrack. It's one of my favorite soundtracks ever, written by Spencer Nelsen.

That sounds like a really compelling story. I see that the Dreacast version was released in 2000 but that the PS2 version came out 2 years later. Is there any difference between the two that would make one more enjoyable over the other?

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Originally Posted by SEGA.GENESIS1989

That sounds like a really compelling story. I see that the Dreacast version was released in 2000 but that the PS2 version came out 2 years later. Is there any difference between the two that would make one more enjoyable over the other?

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I've never actually played the PS2 version, so I can't say. Sheath is correct though, it's outrageously hard, I'd probably call it at least on par with the Genesis version of Ecco 1 in difficulty.

Oh, and the DC version sounds like it's killer on the drive - it makes my dreamcast scream in pain. Something to keep in mind.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

I know quite a few people who prefer the genesis version, I'm just not one of them. I do recognize that the Genesis music has charm, but I much prefer the dark, melancholy feel of the Sega CD soundtrack. It's one of my favorite soundtracks ever, written by Spencer Nelsen.

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This is more a case of I didn't own a Sega CD when I was younger, I grew up with the Genesis versions, meaning the chip soundtrack just feels so much more.. right, to me.

Were I a rich man I would have purchased the rights to the Ecco series and forced coders to create an Ecco 3 game for the Genesis.

But I'm silly like that.

I prefer the music in the Genesis versions well above the Sega CD ones. But still, the Sega CD versions are a pretty nice treatment.

Oh if anyone is interested since there is some talk about Ecco 3, some rather disappointing developments which actually took place yesterday:

Ed Annunziata just stated on his Twitter that Sega will not agree to go ahead with a new Ecco the Dolphin game.

https://twitter.com/#!/edannunziata

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Originally Posted by NeoVamp

Were I a rich man I would have purchased the rights to the Ecco series and forced coders to create an Ecco 3 game for the Genesis.

But I'm silly like that.

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Ed Annunziata, series director and writer, still very much loves Ecco and frequently talks to fans on The Dark Sea. He'd absolutely create a third game if ever given the chance. He's posted renders of what he would have the Ecco series look like today on modern consoles if he had the chance:

http://www.ecco-darksea.com/news/200...alien_1_th.jpg

http://www.ecco-darksea.com/news/200...alien_2_th.jpg

http://www.ecco-darksea.com/news/200...aphalien_3.jpg

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Originally Posted by Phosis

Oh if anyone is interested since there is some talk about Ecco 3, some rather disappointing developments which actually took place yesterday:

Ed Annunziata just stated on his Twitter that Sega will not agree to go ahead with a new Ecco the Dolphin game.

https://twitter.com/#!/edannunziata

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It's disappointing, but not all that surprising. Ecco: Defender of the Future bombed on both the Dreamcast and PS2. They're just not very accessible games, even if they do establish a very cult following.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

Ed Annunziata, series director and writer, still very much loves Ecco and frequently talks to fans on The Dark Sea. He'd absolutely create a third game if ever given the chance. He's posted renders of what he would have the Ecco series look like today on modern consoles if he had the chance:

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Fuck that looks stunning!

... I would still like Ecco 3 on Genesis though, if not to finish the story as it was supposed too..

I remember being so frustrated by the secret password you were given in Ecco 2 that does absolutely nothing. It was supposed to be a way to tie together Ecco 3 - you could use the password in the sequel, and it'd change the game based on stuff you did in Ecco 2.

Sega was very experimental in those days, and that was such a cool concept which never fully materialized.

Who owns the Ecco IP btw? is it Ed Annunziata?

Edit : wait I'm stupid, if he owned it then he wouldn't need Sega.

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Originally Posted by NeoVamp

Who owns the Ecco IP btw? is it Ed Annunziata?

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I would guess Sega, but I'm not sure. It might be one of those joint-ownership deals, like how both Sega and Toejam & Earl Inc own Toejam & Earl, or how Treasure and Sega own Gunstar Heroes.

Someone with a Twitter account should ask him this sometime.. And eh.. tell him how cool it would be to release Ecco for the Genesis again! >_>

People talk to him all the time over at The Dark Sea. He definitely knows the series has fans and would kill for a third game.

Sonic, I don't understand; Dark Sea looks completely dead from what I am seeing? Is there a new forum up somewhere?

Also I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain those renders were user created and not be Ed himself. Link?

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Originally Posted by Kamahl

It's all about the atmosphere, the environment, the ambient music, the beautiful graphics (there's not really anything better on the MD from a visual design standpoint, only with better special effects), the crazy storyline, the mysterious puzzles.

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Several of those elements would also heavily apply to Donky Kong country. ;)

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Plus it's hard as all hell, I've never beaten it.

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This is my main problem with the game. I actually like the game itself, the sound/music, the art, and the gameplay style, but the difficulty is off-putting in the end.

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Originally Posted by Kamahl

It's all about the atmosphere, the environment, the ambient music, the beautiful graphics (there's not really anything better on the MD from a visual design standpoint, only with better special effects), the crazy storyline, the mysterious puzzles. Plus it's hard as all hell, I've never beaten it.



Don't forget the ancient stuff and the dolphins. Gotta love dolphins.

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This post wins. Ecco the Dolphin is an awesome experience from start to finish and anybody who doesn't enjoy it is clearly devoid of a soul.

I knew I'd like Ecco back since I saw screenshots in a magazine. Then, I tried it in an emulator, but never reached too far. Strangely, the version I finished was the Master System one I found in a flea market, and it was amazing (check the single review at Gamefaqs, a really good one IMO). Coincidentally, I ordered both Ecco 1 and Ecco 2, and they are to arrive this week. I think I'll play them when summer arrives, feels a lot more adequate.

I'll read your blog later, seems interesting.

I remember when I first rented this game in I believe, 1993. At first I was stumped on what to do. But then I did what any person would do: explore. To me, that's one of my favorite parts of the game. Also, with the Ecco games I didn't mind taking the time to explore, all while enjoying it's great graphics, soundtrack(SCD is my favorite), atmosphere and story. The clues can either be straight-forward or cryptic, but that makes it all the better.

I'm leaning more towards TheSonicRetard on Sega releasing a direct sequel to Tides of Time. The ending in Ecco 2 is great. Ecco may be lost in time, but in the end, he saved the world. Which was his mission to begin with. If Ecco 3 is ever made it should keep the same dark, ambient feel as the originals and not tie together all the loose ends or have a "real ending". What I mean by that is the series shouldn't be wrapped up, even if no other Ecco games are ever made. There should be a bit of a mystery in the end or a not-so-happy ending. I mean, these are Ecco games after all. ;)


Some favorites:






I wish this had an Arranged version on the SCD version, love it!

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

I would guess Sega, but I'm not sure. It might be one of those joint-ownership deals, like how both Sega and Toejam & Earl Inc own Toejam & Earl, or how Treasure and Sega own Gunstar Heroes.

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Wrong. It's just Sega who owns Gunstar Heroes (and Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, Light Crusader and Guardian Heroes). Treasure only created the game/s, while Sega kept the property of the IP/s. In fact, Treasure had to license the original Guardian Heroes trademark from Sega in order to create (and have its specific intellectual property) Advance Guardian Heroes without Sega's involvement.

Ecco the Dolphin is also owned by Sega alone.

And the ToeJam & Earl trademark is currently owned ONLY by one of the two original creators, Greg Johnson. Mark Voorsanger also had a share when they both had the JVP/ToeJam & Earl Inc company/moniker, but that was disbanded after the release of ToeJam & Earl III. I believe Sega has a partial co-property to the Mega Drive and Xbox games, but not the brand/trademark itself. And they still needed the permission of Greg Johnson in order to release both ToeJam & Earl and ToeJam & Earl: Panic on Funkotron for the Virtual Console.

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Originally Posted by Gogogadget

Am I the only person that actually prefers the Genesis versions?

Despite the lack of checkpoints, I prefer the chip soundtrack of the Genesis version.

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I agree. It feels more like the chip soundtrack was written with the scenario writer's input, while the CD tracks felt more like "OK, music for a game taking place in the ocean".