Ecco the Dolphin: The Tides of Time
Game by Sega
Reviewed by Insecta
insecta@email.com
Size: 4 megabits
Save: Password
Released: 1994
Works with: Game Gear
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Opening Snide Remarks: The first Game Gear game I bought myself, and
therefore the first game I ever bought myself! It turned out to be quite
good and is still one of my better Game Gear games.

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Gameplay Description: The same Ecco we knew and loved on the Master System
converted onto the Game Gear. Done very well, but retained the problem of
all the Ecco games. It's either too boring, or too hard. But the game is
quite fun, and you can spend time fiddling with the puzzles as you swim
around the fairly vast ocean. You even get some odd bonus levels, which
look a bit hallucigenic to say the least. But the game feels very
mystical...

Liked: Solving puzzles, dolphin style!
Hated: Hard to know when you hit enemy.

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Graphics Description: The graphics look a bit poor compared to most Game
Gear games. The graphics are low in numbers, and repeat too much. Was a
solid blue background really necessary? But the graphics are still good
enough to recognize what's what, and what you should be doing. For a
handheld the graphics are average.

Liked: Nice looking sea creatures.
Hated: Solid blue background.

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Sound/Music Description: The music can be very bitty, and sound a little
weak, but that kind of helps the ocean atmosphere. It also keeps a mystical
feel to the game. The sound effects are quite rare, and are usually low
beeps and grumbles, but they're okay. There is quite a bit of room for
improvement in Eccos sound department.

Liked: Mystic Music
Hated: Bitty Music

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Play Control/Game Design: The fact that Ecco can swim in 8 directions is
carried out very well using the round D-Pad and executing one of Ecco's
three moves is more than easy. Even doing moves when moving diagonally is
very simple. The levels are large, and layed out quite well with plenty of
puzzle solving chucked in for fun. Quite impressive control and level design.

Liked: Superb control!
Hated: Levels often too linear.

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Improve:
Graphics
Music
Plot

RIYL: Ecco Game, or Peaceful and Puzzling games.

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Final Words: A pleasing game, that delivers a constant calm to your over
gamed mind. The intelligence of Dolphin's is to hard to resist...

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Score
Gameplay: ***
Graphics: ***
Sound/Music: ***
Play Control/Game Design: ****
Personal Opinion: ***
Total: 64%

Final Score: 71%

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Currently Known Codes: Level Select (forgot how to do it!)