History VideoGame / EcoQuest

* ShoutOut: In ''[=EcoQuest=] 2'': "All that is gold does not glitter." A reference to ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings.''

* UnfortunateNames:
** Superfluous, the "Great Senator" hermit crab.
** The sea turtle named "Erroneous". Also a MeaningfulName since you have to save him from his mistakes.

* GameOver: Unlike the vast majority of adventure games by {{Creator/Sierra}}, it's impossible to die or lose the game (except... see UnwinnableByMistake, below).

* UnwinnableByMistake: Do NOT forget to pick up the oil-dissolving bacteria at the start of the game. Pretty harsh considering that this is a game for children.

In the first game, ''"The Search for Cetus"'', Adam meets a talking dolphin called Delphineus who was trapped in a fishing net and is being nursed back to health at a marine biology institution. Adam releases Delphineus back into the ocean, but the dolphin later comes back to request his aid. Together they dive to an underwater kingdom [[{{Atlantis}} nestled among ancient Grecian ruins]] and populated by a wide variety of talking marine life (where everything from manatees to clownfish seem to be able to hold an intelligent conversation). Adam learns that the ruler of this kingdom (an old and wise sperm whale) has gone missing, and Adam is tasked with finding him. To make matters worse, a gigantic manta ray who was mutated by a hidden underwater radioactive waste dump has been terrorizing the kingdom and must be stopped. This game is also notable for being the first game designed by Creator/JaneJensen, creator of the ''VideoGame/GabrielKnight'' series.

In the first game, ''"The Search for Cetus"'', Adam meets a talking dolphin called Delphineus who was trapped in a fishing net and is being nursed back to health at a marine biology institution. Adam releases Delphineus back into the ocean, but the dolphin later comes back to request his aid. Together they dive to an underwater kingdom [[{{Atlantis}} nestled inside ancient Grecian ruins]] and populated by a wide variety of talking marine life (where everything from manatees to clownfish seem to be able to hold an intelligent conversation). Adam learns that the ruler of this kingdom (an old and wise sperm whale) has gone missing, and Adam is tasked with finding him. To make matters worse, a gigantic manta ray who was mutated by a hidden underwater radioactive waste dump has been terrorizing the kingdom and must be stopped. This game is also notable for being the first game designed by Creator/JaneJensen, creator of the ''VideoGame/GabrielKnight'' series.

In the first game, ''"The Search for Cetus"'', Adam meets a talking dolphin called Delphineus who was trapped in a fishing net and is being nursed back to health at a marine biology institution. He releases Delphineus back into the ocean, but Delphineus later comes back to request his aid. Together they dive to an underwater kingdom [[{{Atlantis}} nestled inside ancient Grecian ruins]] and populated by a wide variety of talking marine life (where everything from manatees to clownfish seem to be able to hold an intelligent conversation). Adam learns that the ruler of this kingdom (an old and wise sperm whale) has gone missing, and Adam is tasked with finding him. To make matters worse, a gigantic manta ray who was mutated by a hidden underwater radioactive waste dump has been terrorizing the kingdom and must be stopped. This game is also notable for being the first game designed by Creator/JaneJensen, creator of the ''VideoGame/GabrielKnight'' series.

* SuperNotDrowningSkills: Adam spends 95% of the first game underwater. He's only wearing a couple of tiny oxygen tanks, but these will last indefinitely.

** Pressure depth doesn't have any effects on him.

* AdultsAreUseless: Adam has to solve all of people's problems by himself. However, there are some cases where adults were needed, such as Adam calling the authorities to clear a sea cave of toxic drums.

* EverythingSensor: The Ecorder.

* ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish: The access code for Maxim Slaughter's organizer is his last name spelled backward.

* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: Gonzales isn't very bright. Whenever he caught you escaping, he just tie you up and put Paquita back in the cage. It never occurred to him to lock the cage properly, as Paquita simply leave the cage and chew out Adam's bonds.

* YourSizeMayVary: Flesh Eater is a big, scary thing no matter what, but his size tends to fluctuate suddenly. For instance when he swats Adam away and carries off Delphineus, or when he fights Cetus, Flesh Eater balloons up to somewhere like five times the size he is when he chases Adam and Delphineus away from his lair late in the game.

*** {{Hammerspace}}: Adam's magic recycling bag, that can hold garbage like chairs and TV sets but doesn't show up on his sprite or inventory at all.

* {{Hammerspace}}: Adam's magic recycling bag, that can hold garbage like chairs and TV sets but doesn't show up on his sprite or inventory at all.

* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: The Great Senator speaks like this, but only in a couple of phrases. He was just trying to act sophisticated.

* ABoyAndHisX: Adam and Delphineus in the first game.

* WasOnceAMan: The manual reveals that Flesh-Eater was once a friendly Elurian named Icarus. The toxic waste mutated his appearance and caused his mental state to deteriorate until he lost the capacity for rational thought. By the time you encounter him in the game, he only acts out of base instincts like fear and hatred.