Ecco the Dolphin 2: The Tides of Time

[Melf]

More cetacean goodness for you! You've beaten the first Ecco the Dophin (you have, haven't you?), and you're itching for some more aquatic action. Well, it just so happens that we have another Ecco review for you. Here, contributor Cory Adcock (who's on a roll lately) takes a look at the Genesis sequel. Is it a worthy follow up to the original? You'll have to read the review (http://www.sega-16.com/2005/09/ecco-the-tides-of-time/) to find out.

[Sega Uranus]

Damn, I forgot to mention the Nomad in it, don't you hate when stuff like that happens?

[lordofduct]

This is one of my all time favorites. I love the first but this is so much better.

I never played the Genny version, instead I had the SegaCD version with all its added bonuses that were so amazing (although I never understood why the HELL they didn't redo the ring jumping levels to utilize the SegaCDs hardware capability).

I am very surprised how you just barely noted "Globe Holder"... the first time I played this game through I must had been lucky as I easily destroyed that bastard. I thought nothing of it... I played again and got walloped over and OVER... AND OVER!

I loved this game, especially the soundtrack (the segacd one as I haven't heard the genny one). I seriousily carry it with me in my car and listen to it in my stereo... It is that good... it could probably make you cry!

I also loved this game cause my mum actually liked it. She still asks me today (what 10 years later?) if I still play, "that pretty dolphin game".

[Sega Uranus]

Well, I mentioned more about Globe Holder, and I actually talked about the dolphin, who wants a fish, but he cut them out... ohwell, he knows what he is doing more than I do.

[j_factor]

That was a really good review.

But there's no "2" in the title. It's just "Ecco: The Tides of Time".

[Hiarcs]

I have never tried this

[Jesse813]

Not Quite as good as the 1st game, but still pretty darn good.

[Hiarcs]

I wasn't pessimistic about the truly impressive quality as the first one, but for some reason i got the feeling that such a game could hardly be improved more than it already was/is, so i doubted about the sequel. I will give it a try with an em.

[Ecco]

Tides of Time is my favorite Ecco game of all. Both Sega CD and cart soundtracks are beautiful and impressive. My favorite soundtrack is the CD version, mixed w/ recordings of sea creatures, while the cart soundtrack is more moving and melancholy. Either way both TiT soundtracks are amazing.

[beigemore]

...and just for those that aren't aware, Spencer Nilsen did the music for both CD versions of the game (including US Sonic CD). There's a compilation album that was released in retail called Ecco: Songs of Time that has tracks from both games. It seems to have gone up in price, but it's a good album. There are one or two tracks on the album I would have swapped with one or two Ecco 1 CD songs, but they're all really good.

Also, last week I got a CIB copy of this came for Sega CD for 99 cents.. :P

[Mr Smith]

Ecco 2 is like injecting awesome into your body. They don't make games like this any more.

[Hiarcs]

Ecco 2 is like injecting awesome into your body. They don't make games like this any more.

Thats a known sad thing.

[jerry coeurl]

Ecco 2 is like injecting awesome into your body. They don't make games like this any more.

Amen. Seriously, Ecco & The Tides of Time are easily among the most criminally underrated games of all time. Everyone who has a Genesis would be remiss not to give 'em a shot.

[Phosis]

Everyone I know who has played Ecco usually has this to say:

"Oh, that game where you swim around? Yeah I got bored of it, and I couldn't beat the second level. It wasn't very fun."

I then proceed to let them know that the final boss is a grotesque Giger-esque alien head. They never believe me.

"What, you travel back in time and in space and stuff? Yeah right, you're lying."

The first game is extremely difficult, so I can understand why it would deter people. You really need balls of steel to withstand the last few levels, and not just the parts on the Vortex home world.

Tides of Time, I think, is superior in many ways. It is a much nicer blend of the puzzle elements with action, the environments are more varied, and the difficulty is not quite as high. I was able to beat the game on hard mode without breaking much of a sweat, apart from some truly diabolical parts.

They are beautiful games, but they are not for everyone, and I would never recommend them to most people these days. If anyone is interested however, the creator of the games, Ed Anunnziata has expressed interest in making a new Ecco. If you check his Twitter page, he wrote an entry in March that says "Time for a new Ecco on XBLA!" so it looks like we might FINALLY see a true sequel to the original games. The story for Ecco for Dreamcast was written by David Brin, and had nothing to do with the cool plot from the main series, but with Ed at the helm again, we may be able to finally find out what happened to poor Ecco after his stint with the time machine at the end of ToT.

[muchomojo]

I have both of these games but never really played them. I tried to play the first one and got discouraged after about 10 or 15 minutes. I guess I'll have to give them another shot.

[NeoVamp]

we may be able to finally find out what happened to poor Ecco after his stint with the time machine at the end of ToT.


I would love to see him continue the true ecco storyline, especially if they kept it classic looking, with sprites and all.

[jerry coeurl]

They are beautiful games, but they are not for everyone, and I would never recommend them to most people these days. If anyone is interested however, the creator of the games, Ed Anunnziata has expressed interest in making a new Ecco. If you check his Twitter page, he wrote an entry in March that says "Time for a new Ecco on XBLA!" so it looks like we might FINALLY see a true sequel to the original games. The story for Ecco for Dreamcast was written by David Brin, and had nothing to do with the cool plot from the main series, but with Ed at the helm again, we may be able to finally find out what happened to poor Ecco after his stint with the time machine at the end of ToT.

God man, if that's true, then that's it. I'm buying a fucking Xbox!

[Curryman123]

which version has the best music? CD or Cart?

I want a more accessible and upbeat soundtrack, and i was thinking of getting the cart.

[jerry coeurl]

I dunno, I like both of the soundtracks to be honest. Really though, I would recommend getting the first game on CD over cartridge (because it is more complete, imo), but it doesn't matter as much for the second as there aren't really any noteworthy differences aside from the primitive fmv scenes and alternate soundtrack. If you tend to like chiptunes better, go with the cart version. If you like more ambient /creepy stuff, go for the CD.

[Mr Smith]

which version has the best music? CD or Cart?

I want a more accessible and upbeat soundtrack, and i was thinking of getting the cart.

Upbeat soundtrack for Ecco the Dolphin? That's like saying you want an Ecco game without the vortex. Seriously get the cart, the sound isn't anywhere near the CD quality, but it much more atmospheric and makes the gaming experience far superior to the CD version.

[jerbar120]

i got the game its cool

[Curryman123]

Well, the CD music certainly sets the mood, but it's not catchy or anything (according to me).

[Kamahl]

Once again I agree with Mr Smith.

[Curryman123]

Finally got this game.

I'm really liking this one.

Muuuuch better than the first one (which I found kinda boring TBH).

8/10 so far.

[Kogen]

This game is REAL NEAT. I played through it on SEGA CD a few years ago. I still need to try the Genesis one on hard now.

I liked the first one more on SEGA CD, but for cart versions I think this one is preferable.

[shinobimusashi]

The Sega Cd version is the best, the soundtrack is much more atmospheric in my opinion. There is that one song from the intro of the cartridge version that I wish they would have added to the CD version. Other than that song though, the CD soundtrack has it beat IMO. I like the CG animated little FMV video's that are sprinkled throughout the game. They look good, and are a nice little bonus for an otherwise virtually unchanged game.

[Curryman123]

The Sega Cd version is the best, the soundtrack is much more atmospheric in my opinion. There is that one song from the intro of the cartridge version that I wish they would have added to the CD version. Other than that song though, the CD soundtrack has it beat IMO. I like the CG animated little FMV video's that are sprinkled throughout the game. They look good, and are a nice little bonus for an otherwise virtually unchanged game.
Oh ya, it's atmospheric, but not very catchy in my opinion. It just sorta goes over your head.
Only few slow placed tracks ever got stuck to my head, such as mad skin from Gradius gaiden, and forest intrude from DKC 2.

[Curryman123]

I have completed this game several weeks ago, and this game is awesome!
Every aspect comes together to create an epic experience. Ecco 2 is easily one of my favorite Genesis games.
The first few levels are tame, but it picks up from level 4, and damn, I could not put it down until I finished it.
Ecco 1 on the other hand is yawn inducing, and sometimes frustrating.

9/10

[SEGA.GENESIS1989]

That score is quite promising! Thanks for mentioning your impressions of the game! I'll need to dedicate some time to finishing both Ecco games! :)

[Thenewguy]

I have completed this game several weeks ago, and this game is awesome!
Every aspect comes together to create an epic experience. Ecco 2 is easily one of my favorite Genesis games.
The first few levels are tame, but it picks up from level 4, and damn, I could not put it down until I finished it.
Ecco 1 on the other hand is yawn inducing, and sometimes frustrating.

9/10
Weird, not only do I completely agree with you, but I started playing this last week also, only completed it a few days ago, and was just thinking of writing in this thread.

Massive improvement over the first game, if I'd realised it was such a huge improvement in all aspects then I would have played it much earlier.

[jerry coeurl]

I'm curious if you guys are basing your opinion of Ecco 1 on the cart or CD version of the game. I think the CD version is much better due mainly to the addition of mid-level checkpoints that really help alleviate frustration. Also they fixed a few glitches and stuff.

I like the first game better, but only a little bit. I did like that there were more bosses in Ecco 2 (I can't remember if there were any in the first game besides the Vortex Queen), but I think the first game is better as far as atmosphere is concerned. I can't think of any 16-bit game that has such a creepy, lonely, depressing tone to it. I really love it. Especially if you're playing the CD version with the extra levels and the really atmospheric soundtrack. And of course those glorious checkpoints.

I think what really puts Ecco 1 over the top for me is the ending, it's one of my favorite game endings of all time. So much is conveyed without using any words at all. I was so happy to beat the game and so proud of myself, and the final scene of Ecco reunited with his pod just really warmed my heart. I think it's even more powerful in contrast to how bleak the rest of the game is. Damn, just thinking about it makes me want to pop in the CD right now.

Ecco 1 for me would be a 9/10, Ecco 2 would be like 8.8/10, at any rate I'm long overdue for a playthrough of both of them. Two of my favorite games on the Genesis! Well, Sega CD, technically.

[opwuaioc]

Is there a point in having - apart from merely for the sake of having - the carts in addition to the CDs?

[Thenewguy]

I'm curious if you guys are basing your opinion of Ecco 1 on the cart or CD version of the game.I've only played the cartridge versions.

If I were rating the two today I'd think about giving the original game a 7/10, and Tides of Time 9/10, though if I'd rated them at the time I may have given the original an 8/10 due to its originality and (then) impressive graphics.

IMO the original (cart) Ecco is clearly a very flawed game in respects to pacing (some levels are just too long), difficulty curve (I think the bloody find-the-dolphin levels were harder than some of the later ones), and checkpoints (the levels are too long to be putting you back that far), I'd also say that some of the levels were just too damn finicky and/or tedious. There's no way I could give such a game 9/10

However the Mega-CD changes you've spoken about sound like they would raise the grade of Ecco 1 by an entire level, though I still don't see them causing Ecco 1 to overtake Ecco 2.


Ecco 1's environments are very repetitive in comparison to Ecco 2
Ecco 1's story and pacing are worse, in Ecco 2 there's more plot, and the more prominent time travelling element (back and forth, light and dark future's) keeps the game interesting and varied, the levels tend to be less time-consuming
Ecco 2 has more variety in its gameplay, not just with the new bosses, but with inventive areas like Gravitorbox
I would also say that Ecco 2 has more atmosphere, with areas like Moray Abyss being especially tense, but of course the different music of the Sega-CD version may well add a lot to Ecco 1's atmosphere, so I can't really say.

[jerry coeurl]

I would agree with most of your points, but I dunno. I should really play them again to be honest.




I would also say that Ecco 2 has more atmosphere, with areas like Moray Abyss being especially tense, but of course the different music of the Sega-CD version may well add a lot to Ecco 1's atmosphere, so I can't really say.


Ecco 2 is just as atmospheric as the first game, but to me it's in a much different way. Ecco 1 is almost survival horror-ish in the lengths it goes to make you feel lost, alone, helpless, etc. I do think the CD soundtrack adds a lot to it, though to be fair I've never played very far into the cart version of the game (played CD first and definitely got spoiled by the check-points), so I haven't heard all of the music it has to offer.

[Curryman123]

To be blunt, Ecco 1 is just a boring game to me. There is far less action, and you are fighting small fries in each level. Also, you are looking for these stupid crystal things in almost every level, and the levels consist of too much empty space. Also the locations kinda bore me, because they don't feel exotic and out of this world like Ecco 2's locations. The music in my Sega CD version is very overrated as well, because its atmospheric, but in no way catchy.

Ecco-5/10 (average)
Ecco 2-9/10 (classic)

I would like to point out that I did beat the Sega CD version, and during the course of the game I kept thinking to myself "when is this game going to end?"

I beat Ecco 2 on hard without even knowing. : P