The mastermind behind the beloved and challenging Ecco the Dolphin series, Ed Annunziata, has shared exciting news with fans. In an interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata not only confirmed remakes of the original games but also announced the development of a new "third" installment. This new game promises to blend contemporary gameplay with modern graphics, offering a fresh take on the classic series.
Annunziata stated, "Me and the entire original team are going to remaster the original Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time games. Then we will make a new, third game with contemporary play and [graphics] sensibilities. Stay tuned." This announcement is particularly thrilling because while there is already 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 creation. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, was unfortunately cancelled.
Fans are buzzing with excitement and nostalgia. One fan wrote, "I just want to finally be able to enter my secret password from the end of Tides of Time. I still have it written in the codes section of the game manual," while another reminded us of the series' unique and often bizarre plotlines, saying, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."
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Although Annunziata did not provide a specific release date, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that we might see these new releases in approximately a year, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.
The original Ecco the Dolphin game debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. The series also included "edutainment" titles like Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, which focused on educational content.
In the original game, players guide Ecco through a devastated underwater world, navigating treacherous reefs and icy floes to reunite with his pod. While the 2000 remake was considered satisfactory, IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review of the 2007 version noted, "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA. But sometimes classics should stay in the past. For those who have played Ecco before, there's really no reason to come back to it. There are no extras offered and the Achievements are junk. If you've never played Ecco, then you may want to give it a go. It really is one of the more innovative titles of its time. But, again, that time has long passed, and Ecco's gameplay doesn't stand the test of time like Sonic's."
On the other hand, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future received a more favorable response, earning a 7.6 from IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised the game's visuals, story, and the engaging experience of defending the ocean.
