Wednesday 26 October 2011

Sega Mega Drive: Flashback

Year: 1992
Genre: Platform
Players: 1
Our Rating: 9/10

Mini Review

Flashback for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis is not just one of the best retro games of all time, it is one of the best games of all time. From start to finish Flashback provides the gamer with logic puzzles, action, groundbreaking graphics and animation and perhaps the most important ingredient to bind them, a well planned and executed story line. The basis of the plot follows Conrad as he attempts to recover his lost memory so that he can return to Earth and stop the alien invasion. Really though this is a game that you have to play to fully appreciate the story line. The game manages to have a Sci Fi edge yet seem very credible becuase of the consistency of the writing. You will find yourself really involved with the characters, whether you are trying to forge documents with the mysterious Jack, meeting your old friend Ian or just filing for a work permit.

The game seems very solid and almost more like a film than a game at times although the developers were clearly under pressure to keep any cut scenes to an acceptable length. The control of Conrad is another stand out feature of the game. The animation is so smooth for a 16-Bit game you will still appreciate it today, the running jumps and jumps whilst removing your gun from it's holster are a joy. I can't reccomend Flashback highly enough. Previously I had already been a fan of Delphine Studios previous blockbuster "Another World" on the Commodore Amiga 500. Flashback just took gaming to the next level. It feels hand crafted, solid, gripping and still relevant today. It's one of the retro classics that you can't remake as the original still seems like it's cutting edge today.







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