Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Acclaim
  • Release Date: Feb 28, 2002
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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  1. KyleR.
    Apr 9, 2003
    10
    At first it just seem super cool, but as you become more familiar with the controls of an oceanic mammal, it becomes totally awesome!
  2. TorH.
    Apr 12, 2002
    10
    If this game was a person, it would be Jesus. Thats how good it really is.
  3. LukeB.
    Apr 7, 2002
    10
    Ecco The Dolphin Has Been A Very Big Hit For Me On All The Consoles It Has Been On And Is A Dream Strategy Game.
  4. AriQ.
    Oct 16, 2003
    10
    It was wonderful! Even though I can not pass "Chance of reckoning" I think the game is great! The levels are beautiful, especially "Hanging Waters."
  5. KoriP.
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    I thought this game was cool..because that we were able to be a dolphin in the water..
  6. Brodie
    May 4, 2005
    10
    It is super duper cool. I really like it all my friends like it as much as me. Thanks to the people who wrote it.
  7. Stealthgear
    Mar 1, 2012
    8
    This is the best dolphin game ever made. While that might not mean anything to some, its true. As your controlling an exotic animal in water it could have been easy for the developers to take shortcuts. They took no shortcuts with Defender of the Future and gave us fluid, dynamic dolphin controls and with massive level design not seen since the original Tomb Raider. You may need a guideThis is the best dolphin game ever made. While that might not mean anything to some, its true. As your controlling an exotic animal in water it could have been easy for the developers to take shortcuts. They took no shortcuts with Defender of the Future and gave us fluid, dynamic dolphin controls and with massive level design not seen since the original Tomb Raider. You may need a guide for this one, as its easy to get completely lost and just have fun swimming around. For that difficulty I deduct a couple points because it makes the game less addictive. Fortunately gamefaqs exists. This is a better game than the original Ecco on sega genesis by far. The story is CRAZY. Nobody could imagine this stuff; aliens, new planets, dolphin gangs, special powers. If you are a true gamer you must experience this one even if you don't end up beating it. Ecco destroys every Endless Ocean game both in gameplay, graphics, realism, and controls. Fish AI in this is more realistic. Sega must have spent a lot of resources making this, and unfortuneately it might not have paid off, but the work is still there. Play this game and give it a try. Ecco The Dolphin: Defender of the Future is its own experience whether you advance in the game or not and I recommend getting a used copy.… Expand
  8. metallicbeast31
    Nov 21, 2011
    8
    this game is really fun, but one of my more boring games, i never really enjoyed this game, i played it just to finish it, i guess ecco is cool but it never really draws you in
  9. RealEccoFan
    Aug 31, 2023
    10
    What else is there to say? It's peak, the greatest game ever made. Im not Biased.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Play Magazine
    60
    A surreal, calming game – frustrating at times – but wholly rewarding. [Apr 2002, p.60]
  2. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    50
    This game is hard – we're talking brutal, controller-throwing frustration here. The biggest problem is the control scheme. Frankly, it sucks. [May 2002, p.99]
  3. GamePro
    80
    Sooo much to love in terms of graphics, story, and sheer originality, but the endless cycle of insanely difficult die/repeat/whatthehell? gameplay will eventually dominate your experience.
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