The creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has shared exciting news for fans of the iconic action-adventure series. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata not only announced remakes of the original games but also teased the development of a brand new "third" installment. This revelation came amidst discussions about ocean conservation and his journey as a developer, ending with a thrilling promise for the future of the Ecco franchise.
"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," Annunziata stated, signaling a bright future for the series.
It's worth noting that there is already a "third" game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, which was released on the Dreamcast in 2000. However, Annunziata did not contribute to this installment. Plans for a further sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, were scrapped, leaving fans without a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future.
The fanbase's excitement is palpable, with one enthusiast expressing, "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 highlighted 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 specific release details remain under wraps, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests we might see these projects come to fruition in about a year's time, with 8,508 hours left on the clock.
Ecco the Dolphin first swam onto the scene in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994. The series also saw the release of educational titles Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995.
In the original game, players guide Ecco through a devastated underwater world, navigating treacherous reefs and icy waters to reunite with his pod. A 2000 remake received mixed reviews, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review noting, "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... 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, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future was better received, earning a 7.6 from IGN, which praised, "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."
