Flashback: The Quest for Identity

Basically, Flashback is a wonderful game, with a couple of minor flaws. It has an interesting story, a tough (but fair) level of difficulty, gorgeous graphics, good sound, and solid design. You'll work the logic part of your brain on the devious puzzles, and your itchy trigger finger on the enemies, as you unravel what happened to Conrad. This leaves you with a satisfied feeling by the time you reach the end, and that's the mark of a well thought out and executed game.

And after all that, there's still not many games that compare to the greatness of Flashback. Recent games like Shenmue use the same concept as this game, but even so many years later, Flashback is still one of the best games for any system. The Sega CD version isn't much better than the Genesis version, but it does have new cinemas, and is well worth buying.

This is an excellent game, but no one can please everyone all the time. You're going to have to like platformers, and it helps if you find its action and sci-fi elements really cool, but anyone who wants a solid adventure game with an awesome conspiratorial atmosphere will do well with this one. It's one of the best you can find.

Flashbacks enda stora brist är avsaknaden av en sparfunktion. Men till syvende och sist är Flashback ett imponerande spel med mycket god känsla.

The music and sound effects are perfectly suited to the action. The graphics are essentially the same as they were on the 16-bit systems, but the cut-scenes between levels have been totally overhauled; not entirely necessary but a pretty nice touch. Overall, I cannot say enough wonderful things about this game. There is no save feature, but passwords are provided after each level. With three difficulty levels and endless action, there shouldn't be a soul alive that hasn't experienced this majesty, no matter the system of choice. However, seeing as how the 3DO is sorely lacking quality titles, you may want to give this version a shot. But back off, she's mine!

Leave it to one of the greatest games in our collective memory to finally give the CD-i something worth experiencing. Flashback remains, hands down, one of my favorite games, and this incarnation is no exception. The CD-based versions feature new cut-scenes and slightly better sound, breathing new life into a game that will never cease to amaze even the most jaded current-gen purists.

This game is truly awesome. The graphics are super smooth and very detailed, and while the music is minimalistic, the sound is still exciting. The controls are kind of confusing at first, but once you figure them out they are extraordinarily precise. Flashback is without a doubt a new member of the top ten games ever. A definite must have.

It's highly original! It's very playable! It provides plenty of challenge and it's got fantastic graphics. It's one of the best video games you'll ever play!

There are several smooth character animations here, including leaps, rolls, and sneaking up on an enemy with gun drawn. And you don't "see" bullets in this game; if you shoot, and someone is in your sights, they're shot. Pretty realistic. You begin your adventure with little background information, but as you progress, occasional cinematics shed light on a compelling storyline that really draws you in. The gameplay involves shooting enemies, using objects, and opening new areas, but you'll need to be slow and deliberate in order to succeed. The sound effects and music are exceptional and add atmosphere and tension. Flashback may never impress like it once did, but it's still a solid adventure.

Like Another World, it's still a bit on the linear side - there's never any doubt about where you've got to go next or what you've got to do, it's just a question of how you do it. And, as the SNES really needs a Super FX chip to be any good at this sort of polygon graphics, the animation doesn't quite match up to the PC, Amiga or Mega Drive versions of the game, especially during the close-up sequences. (It's still blimming good though.) The graphics and everything are even better than ever - once you've made the little bloke pull out his gun, somersault into a room and blow away a couple of baddies as if he should really be wearing a large-lapelled shirt and big hair, you won't want to control another game character ever again.

While it's unfortunate that no extra levels or weapons were added to further improve the game, one can hardly complain, considering the quality of other games that are out there. Two years and 32-bits later, Flashback remains an exciting and enjoyable video game.

Overall, Flashback is a game that is filled with all sorts of interesting characters, both bad and good, tons of fun puzzles to figure out, amazing discoveries, and twists and turns in its magnificent storyline (which also makes many similar references to some popular sci-fi movies of the '90s). With the Sega CD offering a terrific answer to those old cut scenes and lack of music from the original Genesis version, this is without a doubt the definitive version of one of the best and most inspirational sci-fi adventure games we've seen in a long time. Why it never spawned a decent sequel is beyond my comprehension!

To this day, Flashback remains one of my favorite Genesis titles. While the puzzle solving and gunfights are very fun, the storyline and mood of the game is probably what pulls me in the most. Some parts get downright intense. Unfortunately, it is a bit on the short side...there's only seven levels, and if you know what you're doing, probably takes no more than four hours or so to beat all the way through (there are passwords to continue at the beginning of each level.) But overall, Flashback is definitely a classic worth looking into.

An adventure with incredible graphics. This is a great challenge loaded with realism. If you loved Prince of Persia, you'll go wild over this one.

Même s'il n'a que peu changé, Flashback reste un jeu des plus prenant. Et comme il n'a pas d'équivalent sur 3DO...

I said it creates it’s own style. But, what did I exactly mean? Having an inventory and using objects to make your way around, helping yourself with tools like a two-seconds energy shield, stones for distracting enemies or a teleporter you must throw around. And they are not just small items that give you a bonus for killing more or simple gimmicks. Along with a pretty seamlessly blend of action and story. Not just an introduction and an ending that means nothing for the game. And don’t forget the animations, sometimes they look a bit ugly yet they are the nice kind of eye candy.

Mixant habilement plates-formes, combats et exploration en un tout homogène mis en scène par une intrigue solide, FlashBack reste encore à l'heure actuelle un petit bijou de gameplay et d'ambiance. Ceux qui ne l'ont pas connu éprouveront peut-être du mal à rentrer dedans mais les autres se délecteront de ce titre qui aura définitivement marqué une génération de joueurs.

Mixant habilement plates-formes, combats et exploration en un tout homogène mis en scène par une intrigue solide, FlashBack reste encore à l'heure actuelle un petit bijou de gameplay et d'ambiance. Ceux qui ne l'ont pas connu éprouveront peut-être du mal à rentrer dedans mais les autres se délecteront de ce titre qui aura définitivement marqué une génération de joueurs.

The bad news is that there's no reason to even look at this version if you've already played Flashback before. The Sega CD and 3DO at least have the multimedia additions to somewhat justify a replay (though the core game on either system still looks, and is, the same). On the Jag, you don't even have that to consider. That limits this port to the small overlap of Jaguar owners who haven't played Flashback before. But if you do fall into that category, you're going to find an excellent port one of the 90s' best games.

While the influence of Prince of Persia is obvious, the game is so good that you won't necessarily think of Flashback as a copycat. Its intriguing story and overall appeal will make you want to quest for your identity.

Flashback är ett klurigt och frustrerande - ett stor spel som räcker länge. Play on!

Jos joku lukijoista vääntää tämän pelin läpi vaikeimmalla vaikeustasolla todistettavasti koko ajan hymyillen ilman yhtä kirosanaa, hän saakoon diplomin ja Pelit-lehden lahjana ratsupiiskan ja käsiraudat.

If Flashback is new to you, by all means immerse yourself in it's edge-of-the-seat gun play. If you've played Flashback previously, however, look elsewhere, because this cart is just...well, a Flashback.

Other than a few tweaks to graphics and sound, this version of Flashback is essentially identical to it's previous cartridge incarnations. Anyone who hasn't played it, as well as fans who want to see what's new, should definitely pick-up this fun CD. But if you've already been there and aren't impressed by the few changes, flash to something else.

Before 3D games come to prominence, there are the 2D platform games. Essentially, you control a character across a side scrolling map, jumping over platforms which are suspended in midair while collecting power ups and weapon upgrades that are scattered on screen. For years these have been the dominant genre in computer games. In 1992, amidst this popular gaming trend, Delphine Software releases Flashback: The Quest for Identity (also known as Flashback). As I pick up the game and install it, my initial thoughts are that it is pretty much of the same type of games. Gladly, I am wrong.

It's sad to say, but Flashback is a brilliant game that's received a kind of botched surgery to fit on the iPhone. Manomio promises an update that will relabel the controls, fix the major glitch in the second level, and add other promising features like a full-screen mode and remapped controls. But until we see these updates for ourselves, stay away from this poorly made port.

Because of its atmospheric soundtrack and cinematic interludes, the original Genesis Flashback was advertised as a CD game in a cartridge — while the Sega CD Flashback version has so many access delays (and improves so marginally on the original) that you'll wonder which format was being complimented.

If you own the Genesis version, then you already own the Sega CD version. Unless you really want those cool cinemas and good tunes, the game is the same. And that's not bad at all. The animation has always been superb and the game is just a blast to play. Having to actually use your brain while playing a game these days is rare, but Flashback is there with the perfect mix of action and adventure.

The game suffers from backtracking, but that shouldn't prevent anyone from trying this game. It's a very interesting title that encourages exploration and well thought-out plans, yet patience is needed for the amount of times Conrad will die, and the levels will have to be replayed. Still, don't miss the chance to play one of the coolest games of 1993 from the niche French developer, Delphine. Also, if you like Delphine, you may be interested in their other games, Another World / Out of this World (SNES, Genesis, PC), it’s pseudo-sequel Heart of the Alien (Sega CD) and Heart of Darkness (PlayStation, PC). I wouldn’t recommend the sequel to Flashback, Fade to Black (PlayStation), as it is known for having terrible control schemes and just plain bad gameplay. Let’s hope we get a good modern day remake of this some time soon!