The creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has exciting news for fans of the iconic and challenging action-adventure series. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata revealed that he and the original team are not only remastering the classic games, Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time, but are also developing a brand new third installment. This upcoming game will feature contemporary gameplay and stunning graphics, promising to bring Ecco into the modern era.
While there has been a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on the Dreamcast in 2000, Annunziata was not involved in its development. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, intended as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately cancelled.
Fans of the series are buzzing with excitement and nostalgia. One fan expressed their eagerness to use a secret password from the end of Ecco: The Tides of Time, while another highlighted the famously bizarre plot of the Ecco games, reminding us of their unique storytelling.
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Although Annunziata did not specify a release date for the new Ecco adventures, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests we might see the remakes and new game in about a year, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.
Originally launched in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Ecco the Dolphin was followed by Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994. The series also included the educational titles Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995. In the main series, players guide Ecco through a devastated underwater world, navigating treacherous reefs and icy floes to reunite with his pod.
Previous remakes of Ecco the Dolphin have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was described as satisfactory but not groundbreaking, while the 2007 version, reviewed by IGN, was criticized for lacking new content and meaningful achievements. However, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, also reviewed by IGN, received a more favorable score of 7.6, praised for its engaging story and impressive visuals.
