Ecco the Dolphin (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Novotrade International
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1993

Ecco the Dolphin is an action-adventure game that was first released on the Sega Mega Drive in 1992.

+ CD quality music enhances the experience and its ambient qualities really stress the feelings of isolation and dread.

+ The need to breathe oxygen by swimming out of the water adds a cool survival element that deepens the gameplay.

+ Graphically, the game is top-notch with amazing water / weather effects and smooth animation.

- While the password system is helpful, the action is brutally difficult and often rage-inducing in its unfair enemy placement.

- The clues are often too cryptic and you'll be wandering aimlessly unless you check the map every two seconds.

- Missions repeat the same objectives ad nauseum and the exclusive Sega CD levels do nothing to expand the gameplay.

- The controls are sloppy (especially when attempting to attack) and the collision detection is inconsistent.