ECHO

The game is interesting and worthwhile. Some of the levels can get a bit long and repetitive. The story is decent but lacks that motivational punch to keep you moving along some of the long levels and the ending lacked the impact I was hoping for. I think if the story were built out better it could push your interest to get on to the next level. I can't see myself replaying this game on the now unlocked variants or difficulties.

Is Echo a bad game? Yes, yes it is. The first hour is basically nothing but walking while characters talk, spouting exposition the entire time. Once you get to play it starts out extremely simple but you get more to do as the game progresses. The game progresses in short cycles, each time the AI will use the moves you used last cycle against you, like being able to open doors, shooting or running. It's intriguing, but it's not fun. The world seems interesting, barely anything the characters have to say is. If you die you'll have to replay decent chunks. I didn't really enjoy going through these parts the first time, I didn't enjoy doing so the fifth time. I'm almost four hours in and I can't bring myself to continue, nor would I encourage anyone else to try. I hear they're making a film based on Echo, I'd like to see it. That might be just what Echo needed, not being a game.

I instantely fell in love with Echo and its mix of spooky and bizarre sci fi-setting. It reminded me of many of my favorite cult movies from the 90s. You traverse a planet that is basically a giant palace in order to save someone close to you which means visiting endless halls and luxurious salons: crystal chandeliers, marble floor and golden pillars. The palace first seems dead and the spooky ambience is amazing. Then the actual gameplay kicks in and you start meeting the infinite clones that tries to stop you by mimicking your actions in minute long-cycles. Run, cross water, use elevators and doors or discharge your sidearm and expect the clones to respond in kind during the coming cycle. It can be a tad scary but not exactly fun or exciting and you will mostly stick to sneaking around to handle dangers. The typical challenge is a a huge open area where you need to collect glowing orbs in order to unlock a door or an elevator in order to proceed. Despite the great beginning, the story progression is sluggish and despite only taking 4-5 hours to complete the game feels rather repetitive. Since the developer went bankrupt we'll never see a sequel. A pity, since the actual story is exciting and I would love more stories like this. Hopefully with better gameplay however!

ECHO might not be as in depth an stealth-game like say MGS or Splinter Cell, but it's neither trying to be nor does it need to. It's a tightly designed stealth game that focuses on just a few core mechanics but hones them up to perfection. The main gimmick of the enemies learning from your play-style is very, very well executed. But beyond that, the voice acting, the music, the story and the overall presentation of the game are so unique and engrossing! Just on the characters and music alone this is one game I will never forget. And as long as it is, the intro sequence is possible one of the best and most captivating intros I've ever seen in a game. What a gem this game is!

The worst game i ever had the displeasure of playing. A walking simulator camouflaged as stealth game with mechanics taken and simplified from better games out there. The assets are all of high quality. This includes the voiceovers, however there are few of them, repeated ad nauseam, over and over again for the entire length of the game (4-5 hours). I could easily beat the character limit criticizing this non-game, but it already stole too much of my time. It's an extended demo of a soulless non-game.