Ecco, the most awesome Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin is an adventure game that follows the epic quest of Ecco to save his pod. After they mysteriously disappear while Ecco is doing flips, Ecco seeks out a way to find them and get them back.
This quest takes Ecco through a number of exotic locations and meets a cast of somewhat interesting and memorable characters. The biggest draw of the game is navigating the areas to find the key glyphs that unlock the other glyphs. Although this seems a little strange at first, eventually all becomes clear as the game locations become more exotic.
While trying to save your pod, you must manage your air and your health. Often, using the echolocation ability (sonar) can reveal paths that will help you navigate the currents you need to complete your quest. Several helpful characters will teach you a handful of useful abilities, like using your song to attack.
While not especially deep or complicated by modern standards, Ecco the Dolphin is a charming game. It could be difficult and downright frustrating at times, especially since some puzzles are not completely straightforward, and your oxygen can set some harsh time limits.
The worst thing about the game was just the frustration of repeating the same darned puzzle several times until you don't die right after you finish it. The password feature meant you could come back to your game after you stopped, which was convenient and didn't require a batterypack on board.
Ecco is a classic game with a lot of charm, and I would recommend it as one of the better games on the Genesis.
