Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future

 Dreamcast
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
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  1. hoogafanter
    Nov 14, 2017
    6
    I have to parrot the others here. The game is beautiful. The puzzles are creative and the overall experience leaves you satisfied. But the camera and controls just never feel right. You never fully feel in control because Ecco moves incredibly fast and the camera is right on him, making it hard to see where you're actually going. Making turns is also pretty rough while trying to keep yourI have to parrot the others here. The game is beautiful. The puzzles are creative and the overall experience leaves you satisfied. But the camera and controls just never feel right. You never fully feel in control because Ecco moves incredibly fast and the camera is right on him, making it hard to see where you're actually going. Making turns is also pretty rough while trying to keep your bearings. It's very tough to navigate combat, speed, and movement all at the same time.

    More importantly, the gameplay can be both tedious and downright confusing. So many times you'll be wondering what the hell to do next, and when you figure it out you'll be pissed off that they didn't even give you a clue to help you out...    … Expand
  2. neojotic
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    Great graphics and sound but not without losing some of the classic ecco feel from the Genesis.

    The game ups the difficulty from other titles in the franchise but not in a fun challenging way, it's just not clear at all times about what needs to be done. A lot of 16 bit games that were rebooted at the end of the 5th gen or early 6th gen were merely concept testers. I think sadly,    Great graphics and sound but not without losing some of the classic ecco feel from the Genesis.

    The game ups the difficulty from other titles in the franchise but not in a fun challenging way, it's just not clear at all times about what needs to be done.

    A lot of 16 bit games that were rebooted at the end of the 5th gen or early 6th gen were merely concept testers. I think sadly, this concept failed and hence there were no more ecco games. i love Ecco and maybe I just need to come back to this one another time but this game is a 5/10 for me at this moment.    … Expand
  3. AndreaF.
    May 7, 2002
    7
    This game has outstanding graphics and sound, along with imaginative puzzles and unique ideas. However, the camera angles trip you up and the control is somewhat off. Also it is not very difficult to finish.
  4. Jen
    Jun 26, 2001
    5
    Although the graphics are wonderful, the gameplay itself isn't really that impressive. The camera angles are bad and the handling could have been better.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Dreamcast Game of 2000
17
#17 Most Discussed Dreamcast Game of 2000
4
#4 Most Shared Dreamcast Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. CheckOut
    70
    A graphical dream stuck in a gameplay nightmare.
  2. CNET Gamecenter
    70
    A beautiful game that comes close to "classic" status, but doesn't quite deliver.
  3. Dreamcast HQ
    70
    And while the game itself is straightforward in gameplay, the difficulty of the puzzles are almost outrageous.
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