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The iconic Ecco the Dolphin series is set to make a splash once again, as the original creator, Ed Annunziata, has announced exciting developments for fans. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared that not only are remakes of the original games in progress, but a brand new "third" installment is also on the horizon. This revelation came at the end of a discussion about ocean conservation and his career as a developer, sparking excitement among the gaming community.
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 intriguing given that there is already a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on the Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000. However, Annunziata was not involved in that project. A further planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, intended as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately cancelled.
Fans have expressed their excitement and nostalgia online. 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 narrative, saying, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."
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While Annunziata did not provide a specific release date for the new Ecco projects, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that fans might see the return of Ecco in about 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 saw educational spin-offs with Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995. In the original game, players guide Ecco through dangerous underwater environments to reunite with his pod after a devastating environmental event.
Previous remakes of the game have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was described as, "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA. But sometimes classics should stay in the past." IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review of the 2007 remake noted, "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."
In contrast, the last mainline game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was more warmly received, earning a 7.6 score from IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised its engaging story and impressive visuals, stating, "If you thought Flipper had personality, wait until you get a load of Ecco the Dolphin. Experience amazing visuals and an engrossing story, and defend the ocean that is rightfully yours."
