Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Acclaim
  • Release Date: Mar 3, 2002
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future Image
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

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  • Summary: Peace and harmony have reigned on Earth for a millennia, when the arrival of a mysterious foe threatens to destroy everything by altering time itself. Only a friendly dolphin called Ecco can prevent the evil force from twisting the very fabric of reality and enslaving the Earth forever.Peace and harmony have reigned on Earth for a millennia, when the arrival of a mysterious foe threatens to destroy everything by altering time itself. Only a friendly dolphin called Ecco can prevent the evil force from twisting the very fabric of reality and enslaving the Earth forever. Taking the role of Ecco, you must use all your brains and skills to navigate a series of alternate realities and restore the timeline to its rightful place. There are four parts to the game (Paradise Island, Man's Nightmare, Dolphin's Nightmare, the Foe's Lair) and you must solve puzzles in each before the Earth can be saved! [SCEE]… Expand
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Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future Movie 5

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. GameShark
    89
    What truly set this game apart from the rest was its sense of actually being in another world.
  2. PSX Nation
    80
    It's hard but fair, gorgeous to look at and pleasant to listen to (Enya-inspired soundtrack notwithstanding).
  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.
  4. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    75
    Between the unstable camera, gooey controls, and fundamentally tough objectives, finishing Ecco is definitely a labor of love. [May 2002, p.107]
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  5. GameSpot
    74
    In spite of these kinks in its layout, Ecco provides a consistently smooth experience; you'll honestly feel like a deft aquatic mammal and experience the liberating, exciting things that compose a dolphin's everyday life.
  6. TotalGames.net
    64
    It's a weighty quest alright, but much of its size is artificial, being time spent wondering (a) where you’re supposed to go next and (b) how to get there.
  7. PSM Magazine
    50
    The camera problems, and the loose puzzle structure add up to more frustration than fun. [May 2002, p.28]
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See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. 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.
  2. KoriP.
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    I thought this game was cool..because that we were able to be a dolphin in the water..
  4. TorH.
    Apr 12, 2002
    10
    If this game was a person, it would be Jesus. Thats how good it really is.
  5. 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."
  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. 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 isthis 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… Expand
  8. 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 waterThis 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

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