From: mjb10@po.CWRU.Edu (Michael J. Bumbulis)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Re: Eco the Dolphin (Genesis)
Date: 3 Jan 1993 06:38:14 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: mjb10@po.CWRU.Edu (Michael J. Bumbulis)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc10.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, v062nm65@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Chris Randall) says:

>Anyone played this game yet?  Any opinions on it?  From what I've seen, it's a
>very attractive game, the guy at Electronics Boutique said it's selling really
>well, and we all know it has *BLAST PROCESSING*!!!!! :)
>
>I'd really like to find some stuff about this game. I'm debating getting this
>one.

I would suggest getting it!  First of all, the graphics are so crisp and
good that you could call the game a work of art.  There are MANY levels
and you want to finish each one in anticipation of what the next
level looks like.

The control of Ecco is to much to be described.  You actually feel like
like Ecco is swimming.  It's so much fun that I still get a kick out
of making him do a few jumps and flips out of the water!

While swimming, you have two parameters to keep an eye on.  First,
you have to keep Ecco's strength up.  If he is attacked by a shark
or bumps into a jelleyfish, he loses strength.  You restore your
strength by finding fish and eating them.   You also have to keep an
eye on his air supply.  If he's been under to long, you have to go for air.
This makes it interesting when you are deep within a cave-maze and have
to find air pockets to catch a breath.

Of course, Ecco has eccholocation.  You use your A button to "sing"
yo other whales and dolphins for hints and if you hold the button down,
the song returns to you and a map comes on the screen.  This helps
in guiding Ecco in unknown territory.

The B button is used for fact acceleration.  If you want to bump off
a pestery critter that's attacking you, hit B.  The C button is used
to swim faster and when simply swimning slowly, you just use the
dierection button.

Each level has a different twist to it.  Some levels are simply
finding your way through mazes full of all sorts of neat sea critters
that don't like you.  Some involve puzzle solving.  For example, if
rocks block your way into a passageway, you have to go back where you
found those floating Starfish and use your singing button to guide
them and push them into the rock so it shatters.  Another level 
involves finding lost dolphins, swimming in front of them so they can learn 
and mimic your swimming, and then return them to their family. 
Some levels are just dexterity tests.  For example, in one level, you
have to swim through a large body of water infested by sharks who are all
out to get you.  

Right now, I have just found the Blue Whale who has advice for me
and am off to Atlantis to find the time machine which will send me
back in time to prehistoric days.  

Put simply, I think Ecco sets a new standard for game playing.  Not
only are the graphics and control sooo good, but the whole concept
seems so unique.  I love Sonic2 and SR2, but I think Ecco is better.
Of course, Genesis really has quite a trio with these games!!

 
-- 
Michael   
 
Newsgroups: rec.games.video