Ecco the Dolphin

 Xbox 360
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 5 out of 10
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    75
    Sure the graphics are dated, but the game is just as fun--and frustrating obtuse!--to play as it was then. [Nov 2007, p.94]
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  2. TeamXbox
    68
    It was a tough game when it came out for the Genesis, and that hasn’t changed now. The 400 Microsoft Points (about $5) is a small price to pay for the title; the bigger cost is in the time, effort and patience you’ll need to devote to this one in order to wring every drop out of it.
  3. GameSpot
    65
    There is no doubt that Ecco the Dolphin shows its age, but it's still one of the most unique games out there. Watching Ecco leap out of the water and navigate the murky depths is still a lot of fun. You'll probably want to pass on this rendition of Ecco's adventure if you've played it on other systems because the improvements don't enhance the gameplay experience all that much.
  5. IGN
    60
    It really is one of the more innovative titles of its time. But, again, that time has long passed and Ecco's gameplay doesn't stand the test of time like Sonic's.
  6. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    50
    The controls are easy to manage, but the game has too many hangovers of the past - enemies that respawn as soon as they go off screen, an irritating lack of direction and largely repetitious segments. [Nov 2007, p.106]
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  7. GamerNode
    40
    The only reason someone would buy this is to take a trip down memory lane, and for even the most nostalgic of gamers, that trip will end far sooner than they anticipated.
  8. X-ONE Magazine UK
    40
    It's looking a bit on the tired side. Great music though. [Issue#25, p.118]
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  9. Gamers' Temple
    37
    Ecco is a game with great promise, but horrible controls and a very high difficulty level combine to make a wonderfully beautiful animal into a sadistic game.
  10. Eurogamer
    30
    Although you can excuse Sega for trying it on with a true classic like Sonic, foisting dated crap like Ecco on us yet again feels like a monumental waste of everyone's time. Download the free trial if you must, but don't even think about parting with your hard-earned cash for this. It might still look pretty, but Ecco plays like a dog.
  11. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    20
    Sega's most overrated game is as rubbish now as it was back in 1992. [Nov 2007, p.96]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. V1L3
    Nov 29, 2007
    9
    It's hard to understand the critics of this title, except to say that they probably found the game more challenging. And to say Ecco is It's hard to understand the critics of this title, except to say that they probably found the game more challenging. And to say Ecco is challenging is an understatment - it's BRUTAL. Still, there's no denying that the graphics, environments and animation are gorgeous, the soundtrack is stunning, and the gameplay is like nothing else you've played before. And this is without even mentioning the storyline, which easily bests even more recent endeavours (provided you're willing to put in the time and effort... and abuse the hell out of those save-states).… Full Review »
  2. MarianneIbbotson
    Sep 30, 2009
    9
    Ecco the Dolphin seems to be a lot like Marmite, people either love or hate it. I first played it as a little girl, and was immediately drawnEcco the Dolphin seems to be a lot like Marmite, people either love or hate it. I first played it as a little girl, and was immediately drawn in by the mysterious storyline and atmosphere of the game. The controls do take some getting used to, and can occasionally be frustrating, but with a little practise it's nowhere near as horrible to control as many reviews make out. The only real negative about the controls is the difficulty of jumping over islands - which was hugely improved in the sequel - other than that, it's not long before controlling Ecco smoothly feels pretty intuitive. The game's certainly difficult, but having infinate lives and passwords really makes up for that. The storyline is revealed slowly throughout the game, and things get pretty creepy at times, aided by the wonderful soundtrack. The graphics were, for the time, gorgeous, and they still look great to me today, and the game is a lot of fun if you can persist with it's high difficulty. I'd recommend this game, and it's sequel, to anyone looking for a great older game.… Full Review »
  3. SamF.
    Sep 26, 2007
    2
    At the time it was completely different and innovative... however, even the rose-tinted glasses cannot help Ecco be anything more than a At the time it was completely different and innovative... however, even the rose-tinted glasses cannot help Ecco be anything more than a seriously dated and actually rather unpleasant game to play. The controls are dodgy, the graphics (whilst fine at the time I guess) are simply awful and the game play suffers from a complete lack of direction. A waste of your Microsoft Points.… Full Review »
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