ECHO Reviews
Echo is a marvel of A.I. programming bolstered by a compelling sci-fi storytelling, and injects new life into the stealth genre.
ECHO is a puzzle game disguised as a third-person action-adventure game.
Echo is an example of an exceptional idea that is enough to carry a whole game. The clever use of AI creates unique challenges, but the lack of environmental changes and same enemy type throughout means that it does slightly out-stay its welcome.
ECHO is a game with a singular gameplay mechanic that it delivers on with precision. Its setting is a spectacle, and its plot is well-developed despite some slight details that feel glossed over and an ending that barely wraps everything up. Those looking to invest a little time into one of the more unique and stylish titles of the year will find a great experience. If you're hoping to spend a bit more than eight hours into ECHO, there aren't additional gameplay modes, but the option for increased difficulties unlocks after the first playthrough, and there are plenty of collectibles available to keep the avid achievement hunter busy for a while longer.
Echo is both fascinating and terrifying. Its ability to learn from the players moves opens the door for a future of shooters and action games full of smarter enemies.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
I have never played another game quite like Echo before. Folks are always rallying for innovation in the industry, and I can't think of too many better examples of that in recent years. It's not all perfect, but what's there is extremely refreshing. This is not an easy game. You will die a lot. You will get angry. However, when you finally defeat your opponents, it's like sex. A huge release where, for a few small minutes, you genuinely feel like you just accomplished something. It's glorious.
There's definitely room for ECHO to improve and expand, but it's a smashing debut nonetheless. Ultra Ultra has performed a deft balancing act here and one that carefully avoids over complicating things, much to the benefit of the player. It's far and away one of 2017's best sleeper hits and we can't wait to see what the studio has coming next.
It's been awhile since I played a game where the ability to shoot an opponent felt so alternatingly risky and exhilarating.
Conceptually fascinating and visually stunning, Echo runs out of steam the longer it overstays its welcome, beginning to feel like an echo of itself before long. A slow start, punitive checkpoints, and analogous environments lead further encounters to feel like running the same old gauntlet, which is disappointing, given the potential of this novel concept. The unique strategic gameplay of enemies learning from you reverberated throughout, but so did everything else. I really enjoyed Echo, but like a song played on repeat, I could only suffer so much repetition before it began to lose me.
Echo truly surprised me in ways I didn't expect.
Beating yourself at your own game feels satisfying, and losing yourself feels fair.
Echo offers something that I don't think anything else has done. It's creepy and imaginative and despite some flaws that come with the limited budget, it offers a lot of engaging, memorable and unique moments.
A stealth game built on a philosophical concept: fight an army of yourself that respawns better, faster, and stronger based on your own expanding growth. ECHO boasts a rich and well-designed sci-fi world that isn't bogged down by plot or exposition. There isn't much to do beyond the core sneaking, and the midpoint drags, but this is a genuinely unique and intense title that deserves to be experienced.
ECHO's lacklustre story, slow pace and restrictive character control mildly detract from what is otherwise one of the most refreshing stealth titles to come along in a good while. Make no mistake; fans of the genre will find much to like in ECHO.
Echo is a mixed bag. On the one hand, there is an interesting and well-presented story with an unexpected ending, notable characters and unusual game mechanics. At the same time, all stages are visually similar to each other, mechanics are not deep enough and the set of possibilities is too limited. But still you can try it, if you love the genre.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Echo does not use its full potential, but with the adaptive AI it offers an interesting playful approach and a cool sci-fi story.
Review in German | Read full review
Echo thrives on its conceptually impressive mechanics and simplistic gameplay, but suffers from repetitiveness. Nonetheless, Echo is an enjoyable game that fans of the stealth action genre should experience, especially when there's nothing like it in the market.
Echo is both an impressive debut game for Ultra Ultra, and one of the smartest, most innovative sci-fi action titles I've played in a long time. It's one thing to have a great concept and a brilliant core game mechanic, but Echo makes it an integral part of the storytelling, fully tied into the characters, the narrative and the art.
ECHO tries new and interesting things, but doesn't always succeed. The gameplay and visuals wear thin over time, but some players will appreciate the game for its originality.
ECHO tries to reinvent the wheel with its new take on enemy AI. While the game ultimately succeeds in doing so, the end result is having a fancy new wheel on an otherwise mundane sedan. The rest of the game simply doesn't do the enemy AI system the justice it deserves.