Flashback: The Quest for Identity
Description official descriptions
The year is 2142. The player takes control of Conrad B. Hart, a man who has lost his memory. After barely escaping from hostile aliens, Conrad's bike crashes on an unknown planet. Conrad finds himself in the jungle, and from that moment on his quest for survival and his lost identity begins.
Flashback: The Quest for Identity incorporates elements of platforming, shooting, and problem-solving. The game can be described as a "cinematic platformer" (commonly referred to as Prince of Persia-style), following a design philosophy that was also manifested in Delphine Software's previous work, Another World. Compared to that game, Flashback focuses more on platforming and exploration of large levels.
While a large bulk of the gameplay is dedicated to running, jumping, and shooting enemies, there is also a considerable exploration element in the game, as well as some puzzle-solving. The player navigates Conrad through platform structures, performing various moves. It is possible to simply jump or do a longer run-and-jump, run, climb, hang off ledges, and pick up objects lying on the ground.
To defend himself, Conrad can shoot enemies with his gun and also use various objects (such as stones) to harm or distract them. Crouching and rolling are possible (and often essential) moves that can be executed during combat. The gun has unlimited ammunition; however, shields that Conrad uses to protect himself from attacks are depleted when he is hit and can be recharged at special stations. Though most environments in the game are hostile, there are a few locations that are devoid of enemies. The player is usually required to talk to characters, gather information, and complete tasks in an adventure-like fashion in these areas.
Most of the versions utilize cutscenes with polygonal vector graphics. The CD versions replace those with pre-rendered 3D animations. The Sega CD version also features voice-overs.
Spellings
- פלאשבק: זיכרון גורלי - Hebrew spelling
- フラッシュバック - Japanese spelling
Groups +
Screenshots
Promos
Credits (Amiga version)
25 People (20 developers, 5 thanks) · View all
| Amiga Version | |
| Programmers | |
| Graphic Artists | |
| Hardware Engineer | |
| Story | |
| Level Design | |
| Music | |
| Sound fx | |
| [ full credits ] | |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 86% (based on 60 ratings)
Players
Average score: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 308 ratings with 12 reviews)
Classic game with awesome graphics for its time!
The Good
Well for starters I thought the storyline was great, I mean it doesn't come up in many games where you have to try and get your memory back so I thought it was unique in that way. The graphics were awesome, so smooth and well rendered it must been really impressive when first released.
The controls for the game were complicated at first by after about 5 minutes it's like riding a bike.
Music is another matter it wasn't really that good but some of the ambience effects were pretty cool and the cinematic to go with really went well together.
The Levels were well set out plus where they placed the enemies was clever, also the puzzles were great and weren't too easy it took me a while to figure them out but I got a very satisfactory feeling for finishing one.
The Bad
There was nothing really bad about this game, and I'm not going to compare it too "Another World" as it ISN'T a sequel to it and it is in no comparison. .
The Bottom Line
They don't make em like this anymore. Classic gaming at its best.
DOS · by Andrew Dunn (8) · 2001
The Good
I was incredibly surprised but this interactive story fostered my ability to live, work and continue to do both things, for some time. The graphics are...how to say...very dynamic. I would associate the style of game with ambient - style of music.
Ok, I liked much the motion engines in game - they're alive even for 2003 AD, music is very special, too.
I liked the hero for he's not a Hero at all.
My opinion - it's not a quest for Conrad's identity but a quest for myself..
The Bad
It is one of it's kind, that's not enough. I can't really find any other disadvantages, sorry.
The Bottom Line
Never forget it's teachings.
DOS · by Gennady Panfilov (4) · 2003
The Good
I read that FB is an underestimated game but I don't think so... at least the magazine articles and reviews I read, exalted this game.. and I think justly, because it is a game that combines all: graphics, animation, action, realism, a fake in-depth of the FB universe and a great ever evolving plot...
At first I'd say it is a Prince of Persia-clone platform game with realistic rotoscoped movements climbing to platforms, jumping and ducking, set in the future... the plot is a great pro for the game, which was absent in Prince... The French producers have impressive and active stories coming with their games and as usually, they have 'stolen' some ideas from known movies, notable Total Recall..
Anyway I don't understand why people perceive it as a sequel to Another World... it is clearly another game in another universe... I expect someone who liked the first, will like the other as well, as long as he won't bother comparing them
The Bad
To be honest I can't think of anything negative!! Maybe the music was not one that you are going to remember, but it was not a vital part for such a package
The Bottom Line
if you see it around, be sure not to miss it!
DOS · by Boston Low (85) · 2004
Discussion
| Subject | By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| HELP!!_Flashback:Can't do fourth mission | Stephen Labuschagne | Aug 25, 2009 |
Trivia
1001 Video Games
Flashback appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.
Release variations
A bargain bin CD-ROM version of the game for Sega CD (which was later adapted to the PC CD-ROM, 3DO and CD-i) contained new cinematic sequences with voice acting and sound effects. This version of the game came only in a jewel case (no box).
Ports and conversions
- Although Amiga version of the game was released as the first one in December 1992, it was in fact a port from the original platform which was Sega Mega Drive. However SMD version was released later in spring of 1993.
- SNES port was slightly censored. Death Tower was renamed to Cyber Tower, New Washington's bar became a cafe and all the enemy mutants were recolored green.
- Amiga version has cut-down introductory sequence and some cut scenes during the gameplay does not exist until the player enables them manually by pressing CTRL+C. The Amiga and DOS versions also had an option to zoom in on the action whenever Conrad opens fire. It was removed from all other versions. Zoomed in option in DOS version can be enabled in the game options screen while in the Amiga version by pressing F9 during the game.
- DOS version contains changed message that Conrad writes in the ending.
Soundtrack
A two-track CD soundtrack was released featuring music inspired by the game, but not directly from it.
Technology
One of the materials in the box of Flashback is a coupon for a rebate on a Gravis Gamepad and a note to "try Gravis' Ultrasound 16-bit sound card." This is ironic because, amongst Gravis Ultrasound enthusiasts, Flashback is notorious for being incompatible with the GUS.
Programmers might be interested in the fact that Flashback is one of very few games that used a screen mode with a width of 256 pixels. This implies that the address of a pixel on the screen could be comfortably stored in a 16-bit register, say AX. The X-coordinate could then be manipulated through AL, and the Y-coordinate through AH. This might have contributed somewhat to Flashback's impressively fluent animations.
Awards
- Amiga Joker
- Issue 02/1994 – Best Genre Mix in 1993 (Readers' Vote)
- Electronic Gaming Monthly
- May 1993 (Issue 46) - Game of the Month (Genesis version)
- November 1997 (Issue 100) - ranked #92 (Best 100 Games of All Time) (Genesis version)
- FLUX
- Issue #4 - #10 in the "Top 100 Video Games of All-Time" list
- GamePro
- 1993 (Vol. 6, Issue 2) - Action/Adventure Game of the Year (Genesis version)
- Retro Gamer
- September 2004 (Issue #8) – #65 Best Game Of All Time (Readers' Vote)
- Issue #37 - #15 in the "Top 25 Platformers of All Time" poll
Information also contributed by Brian Hirt, Robert Schmidt, Apogee IV, PCGamer77, and Big John WV
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!
Related Games
Released 2018 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows...
Released 2021 on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Released 2017 on Dedicated handheld
Released 2013 on Browser
Released 2011 on Windows, iPhone, Macintosh...
Released 2023 on Windows, Macintosh, Nintendo Switch
Released 2014 on iPhone, iPad, 2016 on Android
Released 2013 on Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 3
Released 2023 on Windows
Related Sites +
-
Manomio: Flackback
official game website for the iPhone version
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by faceless.
Amiga added by POMAH. CD-i added by Corn Popper. PC-98 added by Infernos. iPhone added by Sciere. SNES, Genesis, Jaguar added by Rogee. Acorn 32-bit added by Kabushi. Dreamcast added by Iggi. FM Towns added by Terok Nor. SEGA CD added by Unicorn Lynx. 3DO added by Indra was here. Macintosh added by MAT.
Additional contributors: Trixter, MAT, Unicorn Lynx, Sciere, Alaka, formercontrib, Crawly, j.raido 【雷堂嬢太朗】, Zeppin, Patrick Bregger, mailmanppa, FatherJack.
Game added December 9, 1999. Last modified April 10, 2024.