ECHO Reviews
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.
Despite all the innovation and good looks, the core gameplay is too restrictive and dull and you feel that Ultra Ultra had run out of ideas and made certain sections just too long just to pad the game out. There is potential here, it's just been poorly executed, but I do look forward to what Ultra Ultra do next.
Echo requires constant thought and planning, attempting to rush your way through will lead to a quick death. Combating the Echoes after they've mastered your previous tactics offers uniquely gratifying ways to better yourself.
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.
While its twist on stealth mechanics eventually loses steam, Ultra Ultra’s debut title is visually stunning and a delight to listen to. If you’re after a sci-fi experience to dive into, ECHO is one not to miss.
ECHO is a good game with some interesting mechanics, but the developer should have polished their game. Still, I would recommend it for anyone.
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Echo is a resounding win.
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.
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.
It seems to be a common theme in Echo that the truly interesting parts fade, slowly losing their selves to the repeated barrage of ideas at the forefront.
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.
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.
Stealth fans, ignore everything you've read here and buy this game - this one was made for you from the ground up. For everyone else, ask yourself what you liked about other more stealth-lite games you might have played. If it wasn't studying patrol routes for minutes at a time, give this a miss.
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.
Beating yourself at your own game feels satisfying, and losing yourself feels fair.
ECHO is a puzzle game disguised as a third-person action-adventure game.
ECHO is a fantastic experience that came out of nowhere. It is smart in multiple ways, in both its game mechanics and the narrative which certainly made me think. In a lot of indie titles you expect compromised production values or clumsy stealth, but the amount of polish added to an original storyline makes this a more memorable experience than I expected.
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.
Echo truly surprised me in ways I didn't expect.
Echo is a tense and intriguing sci-fi puzzler that keeps you on your toes but is not without its faults. It places a strong focus on stealth and can often make you feel trapped because of it, but as a stealth game feels rewarding creative thanks to its smart AI system. For those looking for a quiet and patient challenge, Echo is a worthy contender for your time and skills.