ECHO (2017)

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Mar 2, 2018
    75
    Echo is basically an experiment that was made on a limited budget. Hence its unique approach to AI, which is offset by monotonous decorum and general lack of variety. To enjoy it, you have to be on the same wavelength as the developers – that is, be excited about exploring new concepts that mainstream industry doesn’t give a damn about. [Issue#226, p.50]
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  2. 4P.de
    Dec 8, 2017
    75
    While on paper the very unique adaptive AI as well as the connected challenges are quite interesting, it results in very shallow gameplay.
  3. Games Master UK
    Nov 2, 2017
    83
    A cocktail of stealth and action, perfectly mixed to create a clever, gripping, and tense experience. [Nov 2017, p.77]
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  5. GamingTrend
    Oct 11, 2017
    85
    Echo is a game that presents some very original and interesting game mechanics while creating an enjoyable and full world. The characters of En and London were brought to life expertly by Rose Leslie and Nick Boulton. A lack of diversity in the game puzzles and environments drag it down a little but the changes in style save it from becoming bland and make Echo a very enjoyable experience.
  6. The Overpowered Noobs
    Oct 3, 2017
    80
    Echo proves that innovation can truly be limitless as long as there are people willing to push boundaries and explore new ideas. With a stunningly flawless trifecta of gameplay, storyline, and visuals, Ultra Ultra has knocked it out of the park with their first foray into indie gaming. Regardless of your tastes, styles, or interests, this adventure is sure to satisfy nearly all of your cravings. The only craving that you will be left with is for more and more game to play.
  7. GameSpace
    Oct 3, 2017
    75
    ECHO is a short-ish game though, clocking in around 8-10 hours, so it doesn’t quite overstay its welcome. It’s a slow burn, but when it gets going it doesn’t really let go. If you’re keen on tense stealth games, with a good sci-fi story, then look no further. ECHO is destined to be a cult hit like the movie Event Horizon, and that’s no small praise from me.
  8. IGN Spain
    Sep 23, 2017
    80
    Echo is both fascinating and terrifying. Its ability to learn from the players moves opens the door for a future of shooters and action games full of smarter enemies.
  9. GameStar
    Sep 22, 2017
    82
    Echo doesn't use its potential, but with the adaptive AI it offers an interesting gameplay approach and a cool sci-fi story.
  10. Washington Post
    Sep 22, 2017
    80
    It’s been awhile since I played a game where the ability to shoot an opponent felt so alternatingly risky and exhilarating.
  11. GameSpot
    Sep 20, 2017
    80
    Figuring out how to and how not to teach the game's enemies what to do is a stupendously gratifying process.
  12. Let's Play Video Games
    Sep 18, 2017
    75
    Echo is a fantastic experience, but a poor stealth game. Its worldbuilding, presentation, dialogue and characters all very, very nearly do enough to excuse the awful AI, poorly implemented mimicry mechanic and lacklustre sneaking. Stealth aficionados might not get what they’d expect out of an ex-Hitman team like Ultra Ultra, but anyone looking for an engaging, character-driven adventure will be in for an absolute treat.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Oct 11, 2017
    ECHO doesn’t bill itself as a horror game, but it still takes that genre’s explicit fear of death and stretches it well past a single checkpoint.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 46
  3. Negative: 8 out of 46
  1. Ayreos
    Sep 24, 2017
    1
    No joke, the worst game i ever had the displeasure of playing. A walking simulator camouflaged as stealth game with mechanics taken andNo joke, the worst game i ever had the displeasure of playing. A walking simulator camouflaged as stealth game with mechanics taken and simplified from better games out there. The assets are all of high quality. This includes the voiceovers, however there are few of them, repeated ad nauseam, over and over again for the entire length of the game (4-5 hours).

    Most unforgivable is the intriguing sci-fi setup of the game, which never picks up, but instead fizzles out progressively so much, the final "cutscene" is a 10 minutes walk through yet another repetition of previously seen assets, two sentence two describe the most banal resolution in history and then.... nothing.

    I could easily beat the character limit criticizing this non-game, but it already stole too much of my time. It's an extended demo of a soulless non-game. Good luck.    … Full Review »
  2. Afrokidd
    Oct 2, 2017
    6
    Played on hard, ~5hrs in. Simply cavitvating narative, the world the devs have created is mindblowing. Right from the start you are pulledPlayed on hard, ~5hrs in. Simply cavitvating narative, the world the devs have created is mindblowing. Right from the start you are pulled into their world and excited to embark on this journey to answer questions and learn but this strange world. The top class voice acting accompanied by the narrative is some of the best story telling I've seen in awhile.

    However the 'gameplay' sections just ruin the game for me, and were very grating on the expierence at first i could solider through to hear the story in between the 'gameplay' sections. In the end i just stopped playing.

    The environments throughout all looks the same, the blackout cycles are interesting at first but quickly becomes irritating. The placing of enemies and the direction they are looking make it close to impossible to do some areas without ditching the stealth approach forcing you to adopt more cavalier tactics. These 'gameplay' sections become a chore and are very repetitive.

    For me it makes more sense to watch a 'lets play' to get the story out of the game that i want and skip the 'gameplay'.    … Full Review »
  3. SuperkenGaming
    Oct 11, 2017
    8
    Echo
    Facing yourself
    You’re going to think echo is a really great game, a really annoying game, or you’re going to think it’s a mix a both    Echo
    Facing yourself
    You’re going to think echo is a really great game, a really annoying game, or you’re going to think it’s a mix a both
    This is one giant 5 hr. puzzle where the enemy is you
    Here you play as En who enters a palace to right a wrong.. To resurrect someone she killed...
    You arrive at the missive palace and the lights are out...
    Then as you progress bantering with your ai, which is some of my favorite parts of this game... the lights start to flicker... you notice life forms on the ground that slowly become larger every time the lights come back on.. To realize they’re all copies of you…
    This palace is crawling with clones trying to stop you from accomplishing your goal…
    there isn’t much to the level design or mission...
    The mansion is gorgeous but slowly it feels less impressive and the gameplay loop is the same throughout…
    The greatness comes in dealing with the hordes of clones as you go deeper into the lower parts of this palace..
    You slowly start to realize that these clones are learning from you...
    As you play the gamer the lights go on and off…
    You would think the lights going off is the terrifying part.. But it isn’t...
    The scary part is when the lights are on... because this is when the house is watching you…
    You have plenty of tools at your disposal... you have charges that you can do special moves with... initially 2, but every 5 blue orbs you find will give you another charge.. 1 refills by itself the others are refilled by white orbs that are in abundance…
    You have a lethal gun that can shoot through multiple enemies at a time... you have a non-lethal shot that can knock enemies in range down… you take out enemies from behind, the issue however is that enemies don’t stay down..
    When the lights go off, or when they come back on every enemy you took down is back... and this time each and every one of them is doing what the house saw you do...
    If the house sees you shoot, enemies will now shoot….
    Though either way they are coming after you… it’s just up to you how aggressive and deadly they are... this is where the puzzle comes into play... are you patient enough to scout things out while the lights are on and do the killing and item grabbing in the dark, or do you think you can run through a room, killing everything in your way, get what you need and get out
    this forces the player to be careful with their choices and what they do.. Don’t touch the water when the lights are on and enemies will be afraid of water…
    don’t open doors when the lights are on and enemies won’t know how to open doors...
    What they know resets every checkpoint... and checkpoints in this game can be frustrating.. especially the orb missions that cap every one of this games 6 chapters
    This is where all of your skill, timing, and risk taking comes into play.. As the game doesn’t save an ounce of progress and doesn’t care how close you got to collecting all 40 orbs...
    if you die with only 3 to go... you’re starting all over again...
    these are the moments that will break you... these are the moments that will make you rush, pull out your gun in a desperate situation because you’re so close and you think you can handle the guns until you’ve collected what you need…
    these are the moments that make this game just as frustrating as it is great…
    My only complaints with the game are of course the 0 checkpoints in the orb sections.. but I get it…
    enemies not permanently staying down…
    I feel this could’ve been done for an easier difficulty as the concept of the game could stay the same... of enemies still alive learning,
    it feels a bit frustrating at times when I feel I just got out of a tough situation only to be jumped and die when the lights come back on
    And lastly the banter sort of stops as you get deep into the game which is actually my biggest issue..
    I loved this games dialog and I would’ve liked more
    But the gameplay here is great and challenging
    Beating Echo is no easy feat
    you need patience to get through even on its easiest difficulty...
    I give Echo
    a 7.5/10    … Full Review »
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