Defender of the Future is... odd. The series was totally overhauled, branching out into an alternate universe/timeline -- which is fitting to be honest given the history of time travel within the original series, but it also created a schism when it first came out. 'Where is Ecco 3?' often was asked. We later learnt from Ed that Ecco 3 was going to focus on the war between the Atlanteans and the Vortex. Instead of that we got this, an amazing 3D engine and high-end graphics that at the time of it's initial release on Dreamcast were utterly mind-blowing, and a good just very different story.
It's both good and kinda sad.
I'd been on the fence with DotF for a number of years, and eventually settled to accept it for how great a game it is even if it was so different from the established series at the time. I've loved the style of gameplay, as it was a very successful transition from 2D to 3D, and the music was to die for, but I never found the Foe to be intimidating as an enemy compared to the more Geiger-esque Vortex. It does at least carry through with the weirdness which makes it pretty cool. The actual story elements with the multiple treks through time to restore all the traits that make the world balanced, the utterly messed up dichotomy of Man's Nightmare vs Dolphin's Nightmare, and the strong writing overall, however, are absolutely wonderful.
Though we may never see Ed's true Ecco 3 vision come to life, or even the series continuation of this story through Sentinels of the Universe thanks to its cancellation, we did at least get one very solid 3D title for the series.
If you'd like to see a specific item, please click on the code issued by the item name in the index.
Dreamcast Games:
[DC01] Ecco The Dolphin Defender of the Future [PAL]
[DC02] Ecco The Dolphin Defender of the Future [NTSC-J]
Playstation 2 Games:
[PS01] Ecco The Dolphin Defender of the Future [PAL]