Alter Echo

Xbox World Australia (XWA) (81 out of 100)

At the end of the day, Alter Echo is really a very fun game that successfully mixes several existing genres as well as bringing many inventive gameplay elements of its own. While the game is strictly linear and probably only translates to around 10 to 15 hours of gameplay time (not including the inevitable deaths and rebirths), it is made easy to forgive since it oozes originality from every corner. Be sure that you give it a go, because it is likely one of the more refreshing gaming experiences for Xbox gamers this year.

Jeux Vidéo Magazine (15 out of 20)

Outrage Entertainment signe une belle performance technique et ludique. D'une jouabilité irréprochable, Alter Echo se distingue également par son style graphique original, évoquant celui de Primal.

GameSpot (7.5 out of 10)

Fighting games may have been the first to heavily focus on combining moves together to form an uninterrupted string of actions, but lately, sports and action games have been responsible for some of the most frantic combo-driven gameplay around. Games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater put a large premium on long, skillful combos, and the action genre has recently seen games like Devil May Cry, which gives players similar rewards for taking out enemies in drawn-out attack sequences. THQ's Alter Echo takes a bit of this combo-driven reward structure and applies it to a sci-fi story that is interesting but is quickly overshadowed by the exciting combat. The resulting game is a lot of fun while it lasts, but is over quickly.

MS Xbox World (7.5 out of 10)

Alter Echo is one of the best platformer games to hit Xbox as it has a severe lack of them, and it does a good job we just could have done with some form of a multiplayer mode, or some downloadable content THQ! Overall it’s not a bad game it’s just missing those few items that round of a game and give it that edge of purpose that every game needs, as far as I’m concerned Alter Echo just needs a slight Alteration o give it those few more points out of ten.

TeamXbox (7.4 out of 10)

THQ and developer Outrage took a huge risk with this game, and in the end I don’t think it came out too poorly. Alter Echo is a good action/adventure game that plays fairly well, looks great, sounds good, and pushes the envelope a bit of what we’ve come to expect in action/platform games. Unfortunately small factors, such as the camera, get in the way of this game being a full out blast to play. The primary drawback to Alter Echo is its repetitiveness.

Pelit (73 out of 100)

Ilman ajankäsittelyä ja muodonmuutoksia Alter Echo olisi susi. Niiden kanssakin se jää kovin keskinkertaiseksi scifi-toimintaseikkailuksi.

GameZone (7.3 out of 10)

It is very hard to find a unique game anymore, everyone always copies off good gameplay formula and ideas, and this is seen from Mario Brother’s games to Grand Theft Auto series. THQ decided to throw out conventional game mechanics and try for something new. The game that they created is called Alter Echo, and while it will not blow your socks off with anything revolutionary, it will provide a few hours of enjoyment.

4Players.de (72 out of 100)

Auch wenn Alter Echo in keinem Bereich wirklich außergewöhnlich ist, kann man mit dem Spiel eine Menge Spaß haben. Die Steuerung reagiert optimal und die zahlreichen Abschnitte überraschen immer wieder mit neuen Gegnertypen, für die man immer erst die richtige Morphtaktik finden muss. Auch die Hintergrundgeschichte mit dem merkwürdig lebenden und teilweise recht quer denkenden Planeten, auf dem man sein Unwesen treibt, wird schön erzählt. Da sich auch der Schwierigkeitsgrad stets fair präsentiert, dürften Action-Fans mit Alter Echo genau richtig liegen. Allerdings muss man grafisch gewisse Zugeständnisse machen. Denn obwohl in sich recht stimmig, kann die Grafik eine gewisse Eintönigkeit mit Hang zum Unterdurchschnittlichen nicht verheimlichen. Dies betrifft zwar die PS2-Fassung mehr als die Xbox-Version, doch auch auf der Microsoft-Konsole werden trotz einiger netter grafischer Effekte keine Bäume ausgerissen.

Game Captain (72 out of 100)

Für Action Fans, welche sich nicht durch das außergewöhnliche Setting abschrecken lassen, eindeutig einen Blick wert.

Gamesmania.de (72 out of 100)

Alter Echo ist kein schlechtes Spiel, aber der Funke will einfach nicht überspringen. Viele gute Ideen wie die drei Formen des Hauptcharakters oder die lebendige Umgebung sind schlichtweg nicht konsequent genug umgesetzt - Outrage hätte sicher mehr aus der Thematik machen können. Was man sich bei den Minispielchen gedacht hat, wird mir zudem ewig ein Rätsel sein. Und dennoch: Wer auf ungewöhnliche Szenarien steht und vor kleinen Rhythmus-Übungen nicht zurückschreckt, der bekommt mit Alter Echo ein solides Action-Adventure.

Game Chronicles (7.1 out of 10)

It’s rare than a 3D action game can set itself this far apart from the rest of the competition. Alter Echo looks fantastic and has some truly inventive and original gameplay, which only makes it that much more disappointing when the ride is over just a bit too quickly. I’d encourage anyone looking for a futuristic combo-driven combat game to check this title out. It’s easily worth a rental and if you have the recreational cash I’d even consider making it a permanent addition to your game library.

Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) ( )

With three different forms, each with their own arsenal of attacks, as well as dozens of upgrades and unlockable moves, Alter Echo does a good job of avoiding the trap of repetition. Sure, the basic hit and run formula is in place, but there are so many ways to eliminate your foes that it rarely becomes a chore. Throw into the mix an otherworldly visual and aural experience, and you have an action title has all the makings of a winner. However, all of this is almost completely undone by the incredibly short length of the experience. If the developers had included a few secrets or collectible items then it might have warranted a second and third play through, but as it is, there’s probably only enough content to justify a weekend rental.

IGN (6.8 out of 10)

It's getting tougher for vidoegame companies to try new ideas that aren't guaranteed to sell kajillions of copies right off the bat. So with THQ's Alter Echo, developer's Outrage have put together a weird looking game with some subtle and clever gameplay elements that probably isn't a revolution in gaming, but might still be worth a look if you're hankering for something different. There's been no lack of effort with all of the concepts and gameplay systems jammed together in Alter Echo, but as a whole the game has several holes that can't be overlooked, no matter how many good ideas have been thrown in there.

GameCell UK (6 out of 10)

The game plays well but despite being broken down into smallish sections can frustrate until you figure out how to defeat a certain boss character or wave of enemies. Fun in small bursts, Alter Echo has lots of cool ideas but needed a more likeable main character and bit more substance…

Yiya (C+)

In ca. 12 Stunden Spielzeit (Endbosse nicht mitgerechnet :-)) wird man gelungen unterhalten. Der Wiederspielwert liegt jedoch nur darin, sollte man nicht ohnehin Besitzer aller Kombos, Waffen und Attacken sein, diese beim nächsten Go einmal zu erwerben und zu probieren. Wer vor dem teilweise hohen Schwierigkeitsgrad nicht zurück schreckt, wird von Alter Echo gut und recht günstig unterhalten, denn Publisher THQ veröffentlichte den Titel im MidPrice-Bereich. Alter Echo hat jedoch recht gelungen eine neue Spielwelt kreiert, die es sicher verdient hätte, dass das erdachte Spielprinzip in einem Nachfolger noch ein wenig besser definiert und artikuliert wird. Ein guter Grundstein aus EchoPlast wurde zumindest gelegt.

Jeuxvideo.com (11 out of 20)

Alter Echo aurait vraiment gagné à profiter d'une meilleure réalisation. Sa pauvreté graphique suffira à elle seule à faire fuir nombre de joueurs. Les plus indulgents découvriront un soft au potentiel pas suffisamment exploité. Triste histoire pour un gameplay qui aurait pu faire bien mieux que ça.

Bordersdown (5 out of 10)

The general picture is a disappointing one, but it’s occasionally misleading - there are momentary highlights which offer something to enjoy. When it successfully pulls its act together this is an enjoyable, if forgettable copycat; not quite Brian De Palma, but no TV movie either. With voice acting above par and some well-bodied action this is far from being a write-off. It’s more the case that despite cramming an auspicious set of variables into its equation, Alter Echo’s efforts result in a diminutive single unit which doesn’t entirely work.

Game Revolution (C-)

What we’re left with is a good stab at innovation marred by hopelessly dated level design and short (you can beat it in 10 hours), repetitive gameplay. You get the feeling that Alter Echo could have been much more; had they focused more on the suit upgrades and Time Dilation and went with a solid, seamless world to explore, this could have been a good game. Rather, Alter Echo isn’t merely a waste of developer money: it’s a waste of your money, unless you have a gold rental card.

Games TM (3 out of 10)

Alter Echo's boring, seen-it-all-before gameplay, sloppy combat and truly dreadful visuals combine to create a game that's not worth renting, let alone the £40 to buy it.