Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future -PS2- 10

August 21, 2022

This right here is the definitive version of Ecco Defender of the Future. The Dreamcast version had a lot of crippling issues with a lack of player direction, obscure hints, and numerous bugs and glitches. This version, which came out 2 years later, fixes all of those problems. Most of the glitches seem to be gone, the map has improved, and now pressing L3 points Ecco where to go next. (This also works like z-targeting with boss fights and segments where you have to follow another dolphin). The L3 feature eliminates all the frustration I got from the Dreamcast version. That’s not to say this version is a pushover. Far from it. Defender of the Future on ps2 is still quite a challenging game that requires skill and exploration to solve the puzzles. But it’s enough of a balance that’s still fun, and never feels broken like the older version. Since I last played the Dreamcast version 22 years ago, I’ve talked a lot of trash about that game. It disappointed me greatly, because you could see the elements of a masterpiece there. It was just some major technical issues with a seemingly rushed product that hampered the whole experience. Well, I am so glad the developers took their time with the ps2 version, and I’m so glad I gave the game a second chance after all these years. It still has the same gorgeous graphics, music, and atmosphere that the Dreamcast version had. Ecco himself still controls like a dream. And with the better sense of direction, these giant levels are now a joy to explore and behold. Maybe I am biased because of my love of the first two Ecco games on Sega CD, but I feel like this ps2 version is the 3D Ecco game I have been dreaming about and yearning for since I was a kid. I am giving this a 10 out of ten. Bold statement, I know. For the record, from what I remember about the Dreamcast version 22 years ago, I would rate that about a 4, for how broken it felt. I had to use a guide every step of the way when I beat it. But now, 22 years later with the ps2 version, I maybe used YouTube a handful of times in the 30-ish levels. And I didn’t remember any of the solutions from 22 years ago, so it was like playing a brand new game all over again.