Release Date: February 24, 2015
An independent strategy game developed by Iridium Studios. There Came an Echo offers a unique control scheme that enables us to control the heroes through voice or motion. The plot takes place in the near future, and tells a story of a group of characters that attempt to discover the truth behind a state-of-the-art data encryption algorithm and survive the encounter with a sinister conspiracy group.
There Came an Echo for PC, PS4 and XONE is the second title from Iridium Studios (the authors of Sequence) and a strategy game that offers an unusual voice and motion based control scheme. The game is distributed in digital form through Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live only. Moreover, it should be mentioned that professional voice actors recorded the dialogues (Will Wheaton, Ashley Burch, Laura Bailey, Yuri Lowenthal, Karen Strassman, or Rachel and Cindy Robinson).
The story of There Came an Echo takes place in near future and tells the story of Corrine, a 31 year old cryptologist that has deciphered a special data encryption algorithm used by shadowy conspiracy group. As a result, the man becomes a target of the group, which sends a deadly team of mercenaries on his trail. Right before an unexpected attack on his house, the hero is contacted by a woman named Val who helps him escape and guides him to safety. Joined by an unusual group of heroes, Corrine decides to solve the mystery and discover the truth behind Radial Lock, the newest data algorithm that safeguards data that, if released, can topple the current state of affairs. However, the mission won’t be easy, as the group, made up of ordinary citizens, will be facing ruthless opponents that will do anything to stop Corrine from unearthing the secret.
There Came an Echo sees us take control of a small unit, leading it with voice commands. The authors have prepared a set of predefined orders, such as “open fire” or “head to Bravo 3”, but we are free to record our own order that is saved as an alternative variant of an already existing one. As a result, instead of “Grace, hold position”, we can say “yo girl, hold up”, etc. Moreover, the team members often observe the area on their own and ask questions e.g. whether they should use a shortcut or join another hero.
We are free to use various items, such as remote controlled mines that are detonated by saying their number and the right order, for example “Mines 1, 3, 11, detonate”. Aside from explosives, a similar system is used when making use of automatic turrets.
Aside from the features above, the game offers a traditional control scheme that utilizes a gamepad or a keyboard.
The game offers three-dimensional graphics seen from an isometric view. This approach increases our field of vision, facilitating our efforts in progress. Moreover, the camera offers a dynamic zoom.
Platforms:
PC Windows February 24, 2015
PlayStation 4 June 1, 2016
Xbox One cancelled
Developer: Iridium Studios
Publisher: Iridium Studios
Top downloads for There Came an Echo Video Game:
System Requirements for There Came an Echo Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Dual Core 2 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 256 MB GeForce 8600 GT/Radeon HD 2600 XT or better, 5 GB, Windows Vista.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz/AMD Athlon X2 2.7 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 512 MB GeForce 9800/Radeon HD 3870 or better, 5 GB, Windows 7.
PlayStation 4
Supports:
PlayStation Network
Xbox One
Supports:
Xbox Live
Game Ratings for There Came an Echo Video Game.
Cubed3: 5 / 10 by Ofisil
The voice recognition control scheme is extremely engrossing...but only when it works, with the alternative being an aggravating contextual menu-based system that requires the mouse. The action can be fun…but it mostly feels so hand-holding and tedious that it's like working instead of playing. The only thing of value here is, undoubtedly, the story…but the whole adventure ends so fast that it's impossible to feel any connection to this otherwise well-thought-out sci-fi universe.
PushStartPlay: 7 / 10 by John Little
It's more like a tech demo than a fully-fledged game (albeit one with a decent, fully realised story). It shows that voice controls can benefit an RTS title, and that games that strive for that 'narrative experience' can also have compelling gameplay; but it never reaches its full potential.
Worth Playing: 6.5 / 10 by Chris "Atom" DeAngelus
There Came An Echo is more of a proof of concept than a real game. There's a basis for a strong game here, but it really needs to get fleshed out. It's a great proof of concept and an enjoyable experience, but it breaks just too often to be worth playing. Some of the title's weaknesses are the simple gameplay, awkward and fidgety mechanics, and voice orders being too inconsistent to feel natural. The short main story also means it's tough to recommend, despite being an interesting experience. If you're willing to work past some hurdles, there's a fair bit to like here, but it's probably best to wait for a sale.
Average score from votes.
![[1:58] launch trailer](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/435292600.jpg)
