First Look: PS2 Virtual Ocean

The world has been submerged. And with that premise in mind you set out – playing the part of whales, orcas, and dolphins – to unravel the mysteries of the deep.

Ed Annunziata, the creative muscle behind such unique and revolutionary titles as the original Ecco the Dolphin, is behind Virtual Ocean (as well as the company's president), and without a doubt his influence will help make it one the games to keep an eye on this year. The game allows you to traverse the vast ocean while interacting with other creatures of the sea. Using specialized songs – and a translator to understand what they mean – messages and other data can be exchanged.

Based on the sounds and songs of the creatures of the deep, Virtual Ocean looks like it could offer more than just next-generation graphics but next-generation gameplay, interaction, and immersion.

Virtual Ocean is being prepared for a release on the PlayStation 2 during the first quarter of 2000 in Japan. A US version will be released at launch. The screenshots included in the article are from the PC version, but give a good indication of what the PlayStation 2 version may look like.