Echo – A spledid third-person sci-fi adventure

After a century in stasis the girl En arrives at her destination: A Palace out of legend, a marvel of the old civilization eons gone, still awaiting its first human occupants. Out here, using forgotten technologies, she hopes to bring back a life that shouldn’t have been lost.

At first glance, Echo reminded me of The Talos Principle which was a pure experience. Maybe because of that in this game an Echo is an exact copy of our protagonist and maybe because it also looks so clean like The Talos Principle looked to me. But, Echo offers a totally different kind of story and gameplay.

Echo is a character driven journey, yet there is also a warning. As the story of the game unfolds, it chances into something more sinister and punishing. Echo is both and action and stealth game since the gameplay and story require both.

The most noteworthy part of Echo, I believe, is the unique idea behind it. You see, you find yourself in a bright place called as The Palace. The Palace creates Echoes which are exact copies of you. And not only by the look. Echoes are capable of doing the things you do and behave like you. Even more, they learn from you. Every act of you will be a new act for your Echoes which they will use against you. The idea of shaping your enemy is brilliant and offers a unique gameplay.

If you run, soon the Echoes will get faster. If you sneak, they will get stealthier. If you shoot, they will start to shoot back. The game constantly reacts to your every choice and input.

The Palace has a blackout-cycle which is actually a reboot-cycle. Every time The Palace reboots, you know that your Echoes get updated with your latest behavior. During this blackout, you are free to do whatever you must do since this is the only time your Echoes will not learn from your actions.

Echoes learn from you, yes, but they also unlearn from you. When you stop doing something, they will start to do the same. Like I said, the enemy is you and shaped by you. Okay, maybe kind of slowpoke, but it is your making. You fight against your creations on your way to your objective.

I know the gameplay sounds a little bit complicated, but the announcement trailer will clear things up. Here, take a look:

Echo is aiming a September 19th 2017 launch on Playstation 4/Pro and PC. We can’t wait to experience this brilliant idea. Stay tuned for more!