Flashback: The Quest for Identity

aka: Flashback, Flashback (Enhanced CD-ROM)
Moby ID: 555

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Critic Reviews add missing review

Average score: 83% (based on 13 ratings)

Player Reviews

Average score: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 90 ratings with 5 reviews)

NOT a sequel to Another World, but an excellent action game with adventure !

The Good
I want to be very clear : I played the game when it was released (and many more times after), I talked a lot about it with PC and Amiga gamers, so I just can't understand the reactions here.

First, let me get this straight : Flashback IS NOT a sequel to Another World. Yes, it is the same publisher, and then ? This very good game is due to Paul Cuisset and his team, while Another World is the work of one man only, Eric Chahi. Yes, it's the same kind of gameplay, and then ? The graphics are very different and so is the story.

Apart from that, Flashback is a very good game so it's no surprise it was a real hit at the time. It got very good ratings by video games magazines and sold quite well.

The first thing it offers is amazing graphics. The game has a very special style, quite easily recognizable although there are many different environments (jungle, futuristic city streets, underground stations, bars, a very special TV show and even a reactor you must repair... and I'm sure I forget some). The cut-scenes, in simulated 3D, are also nice. But what makes Flashback such a pleasure for the eye are the beautifully rendered, super smooth characters animations. The only other game which equals Flashback on this subject is Prince of Persia 2, but I really prefer Flashback.

Which leads me to the other key point in Flashback : controls. Ok, you might find it difficult at first. There are more keys than in your average platform game. But once you master it, oh my god how fun it is :-) Yes, I confess, I have spent some time just playing around, running then jumping and then rolling and pointing my gun at every tree, then getting up, climbing, etc... There is a real pleasure just manipulating your character. The only other title I had the same impression with was Tomb Raider (the first one). You do lots of combinations in every direction you can think of, and the result is smooth, fast and natural, beautiful. Tomb Raider was in 3D what Flashback was in 2D.

And this comparison is also not stupid when it comes to gameplay. Both are mainly action, platform games. Both have a few puzzles without which it would be too much repetitive. BUT Flashback also has a real story. I admit it, it's not extremely complicated. But to me, who have never liked consoles platform games, it was essential because it keeps you playing, wanting to know more. I see it like this : the gameplay is so well done that you have fun just because of the action ; but when it becomes a little bit harder, or a little bit long, then you accept it because you know it will soon change, and you will be told more about yourself.

Oh, yes, and the game becomes better after the beginning. When you arrive in the city, you'll have more freedom in your actions (and some nice new equipment, too). Oh, it's still pretty linear, but it's more than action/platform nevertheless. Well, it's more like Another World, in fact. This moment is a bit short, sadly, but it's really very good.

Last point, the Amiga version has superb sounds & music. On PC, it is just ok, and the sound setup may be difficult in these times of various and complex sound cards (if you have and old Sound Blaster 16 for example, no problem). I remember playing it with the Amiga connected to a good hi-fi system, that was awesome.

The Bad
First of all, yes, there is a lot of action and a little bit of adventure, not the opposite. But if you ask me, Another World had lots of action too, and I find Flashback easier.

Second, you need to master the controls. I think that's why some people don't like it nowadays. It's really similar to Prince of Persia : you have to be good in making jumps and so on. I personally don't play platform games, and I never had any problems with these two, on the contrary ; but I know a friend which just hates this kind of gameplay. So it's up to you.

Apart from that... Oh, yes, the end is much more difficult. The enemies (I won't tell you what they are...) are very fast, and you have to hit them many times. Prepare yourself to a few tries before getting used to them.

Which makes me think : there's a code-based protection. So check you got it if you traded this game or downloaded it on an abandonware site.

The Bottom Line
If you enjoyed the Prince of Persia or even the Tomb Raider series, don't hesitate, you should have fun playing Flashback (but note it's NOT in 3D, of course !). If you liked Another World and you don't mind a little more action sometimes, give this game a chance. It has (in my opinion) nicer graphics and a fine story, and, at least in France, it's a classic.

DOS · by Yeba (48) · 2001

A hugely underestimated game.

The Good
Supposing you could just ignore the perfect graphics(out of this world was 16 color /vectorized) and ignore the perfect animation and most fluid controls,you are still left with a piece of art,nevertheless.The story is far more than interesting,its evolving,you start off by knowing so little and by the end its a full blown alien invasion you have to deal with.Ignoring the heritage this game had to live up with,this game should be considered the monkey island of platformers.

The Bad
Okay,i suppose the story dragged a bit towards the end,and the music is sparse due to the limitations of the game size,but even with the music off and your skipping the cut-scenes you are still left with a work of art.

The Bottom Line
This game would be best described as perhaps the most probable game to attract people towards games and computers in general,it even got me in the scene all because of its wonderful graphics and responsive controls,it layed the soil for such marvels as Oddworld and Heart of darkness to appear,and most importantly introduces the kind of "heady" platform games to a most wide audience if you dont want to by it,at least get it at an abandonware site,you wont be dissapointed.

DOS · by helm lehm (13) · 2000

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

a real hit!

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

Stimulus

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

Contributors to this Entry

Critic reviews added by Crawly, Alsy, vedder, Patrick Bregger, Scaryfun, Jeanne.