Even if Sega's latest Ecco the Dolphin game was a clunker, it would be worth the price of admission just for the graphics.
Aren't we lucky, then, that it's also a fabulous game in every way?
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was developed by Appaloosa Interactive for the Dreamcast, and they have done an incredible job of creating the most amazing undersea world for you — and Ecco — to play in.
The game takes you to the 30th century when, after 500 years of peace, tranquility and fellowship, man and dolphin set out to explore the far reaches of space. It turns out that was a bad idea, because they bump into a wandering band of intergalactic thugs known only as the Foe.
The Foe goes from world to world, picking the residents' pockets and then dominating their now-ravaged planet.
Earth isn't totally defenseless. There's the Guardian, which projects a mighty force field around the Earth, leaving the Foe gnashing its collective teeth on the other side of the invisible wall. But the Foe finally shatters the Guardian crystal, triggering an undersea earthquake, and Ecco must travel through 30 levels to deter the Foe and restore the Guardian's power.
Ecco uses the pieces of crystal to gather information that points our hero in the right direction for his next task, and recruits many finny friends to help. But the same terrors of the deep that keep you sitting on the beach with your knees knocking threaten Ecco. He must ward off attacks by sharks, moray eels and other unsavory types.
Along the way, Ecco learns the ancient songs of the dolphins. The Song of the Shark, for instance, stuns the toothy beasts long enough for Ecco to charge into them, bashing them silly. The Song of the Fish gathers schools of fish around you, providing various forms of assistance.
There are also "gifts" Ecco earns, which gives him a variety of powers. The Power of Air allows him to remain underwater longer. You do remember that dolphins are mammals, just like us, and must surface from time to time to breath. The Power of Sonar increases the oomph behind Ecco's normal sonar waves, making it a weapon to defeat enemies or a tool to move heavy objects.
Wading through the increasingly complex levels is a major chore but strangely satisfying once you get it right. You may have to backtrack to previous areas with newly acquired powers to perform chores or get into areas off-limits when you passed by the first time.
Adding to the difficulty — the levels are huge, forcing you to memorize landmarks to figure out where you are. And each level ends with a tricky puzzle or a particularly evil boss.
The graphics get an A-plus; they are gorgeously spectacular in every way, from the dazzling detail to the excellent use of color and shading. Control gets an A; everything you have to do is easy and accurate. Sound is also an A, with splashing waves, the eerie sounds of whales, and pleasingly unobtrusive background music.
Ecco is an amazing accomplishment, taking full advantage of the Dreamcast's muscle to create an almost-real world that will draw you in and keep you playing until the end. It's a must-have for any Dreamcast owner and one of the best games of the year so far.
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future is rated E, for all ages.