Flashback

Written by Tom Clare in MegaDrive Game Reviews, Sunday 11 January, 2004

The Mega-Drive's finest hour

The fact that Flashback has been almost completely forgotten in recent years simply astonishes me. For a game so groundbreaking and to have set so many new standards, it is comparable to the likes of Doom, Final Fantasy VII and Grand Theft Auto 3, and will they be forgotten less than a decade after original release? No chance.

16-bit console owners had things pretty easy for years. We all seemed pretty content to sample in the simple delights of Sonic and Mario, but in 1993 along came an adventure from U.S Gold that would give 2D-gaming a much needed kick up the backside, and earn it's place among the very best of all-time.

The SEGA Mega-Drive version of Flashback (also released on the SNES, Amiga and P.C) sees Conrad Hart conducting a scientific experiment examining the levels of molecular-density in humans - his results show that aliens have mixed in with the population of Earth. These alien's have noticed his rather 'interesting' findings and capture him. They then take him to their home, Titan, one of Saturn's moons, but never one to be tied down, Conrad flees his captors on a hover-bike. He doesn't get far though as he is soon shot down. When he awakens he is free but slap-bang in the middle of a heavily-guarded jungle, and this is where his quest to find a way home begins. And so to the start of an epic stealth/shooting/puzzle/RPG/platforming (okay, its an 'adventure') game unlike any other before it.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that full-motion video (FMV) clips only really came about at the start of the PlayStation era. Well they didn't. Flashback's astounding cell-shaded intro is a sign of things to come, after all it has been labelled 'an interactive movie for the Mega-Drive', and there is good reason for this - it's not just the introduction FMV that impresses, there are tonnes of snippets like this throughout the game. Flashback was one of the first to use these FMV's to carry the story along inbetween levels, but you are also treated to clips whenever you pick up an item or suffer a particular death!

The controls are a little tricky to master at first although the configuration is easy enough - A to run, B to interact/fire weapon and C to draw the weapon. Though a bit frustrating to begin with, the intricate and realistic movements of the main character are a joy to behold. For example, if he has broken into a sprint he can't be expected to stop the moment you let go of the run button; you'll have to allow for him slowing to a standstill. Once used to the controls though, you'll have loads of fun discovering all moves. With just three buttons and D-Pad you can walk, run, roll, creep, draw your gun, fire, hang, ascend/descend obstacles, pick up and throw items.

The first level, as said, is in a jungle. It's pretty clear that Flashback's special early on, as having collected a seemingly inanimate stone, you soon discover that if you throw it down to a guarded area below you, the guard will turn to investigate the disturbance, thus giving you the opportunity to drop down unnoticed and kill him.

Indeed, the artificial intelligence throughout the game is superb. Enemies may not start off massively bright, but by halfway through the game they will chase you relentlessly - they can follow you through screens and you shouldn't think that clambering up a ledge will see you to safety - they'll just climb up after you! Refreshingly, many situations need a bit of thought as though it's rarely a frustratingly difficult game, the A.I never give you an easy time.

In visual terms it is the greatest looking Mega-Drive game in history (probably even pipping the 3D 'Virtua Racing'). Not only are the levels staggeringly detailed but they are about as different from each other as you could possibly wish. Animation is breathtaking - stunningly clear and the sheer realism and grace of all the movements put most games of today to shame. It really is difficult to emphasise the unique quality of the graphics in words but their digital appearance make Flashback look twice as good as most Mega-Drive games.

Flashback isn't afraid to step closer to the realms of role-playing as featured most strongly in the second level. This is probably the most memorable section of any game that I have ever had the fortune of playing - Conrad arrives in a high-tech district of areas that he can move between on a sort of hover-taxi. These include Europa, Asia, Africa and America, and each play a big part in the level. The main objective is to earn a certain amount of credits so as to be able to compete in a game show whereby Conrad can win tickets and fly home to Earth. Many games would have you simply trying to steal the money and making a run for it, but Conrad finds that he has to get a job from an agency in the Africa section! To make the required money, he has to complete a variety of sub-missions that include escorting a VIP through a dangerous area, delivering a special parcel and assassinating a suspicious-looking alien. Along the way you can talk to many a person, collect a map from an information desk, exam a bar and meet it's drunken regulars and even collect a few mug-shots from a photo-booth.

So far I've been over the Jungle and Industrial sections and so without going into too much more detail, there is a superb game show/reality level where you must make your way up several trap-laden, guard-patrolled floors to win the star prize - a ticket to freedom (anyone who has seen 'The Running Man' will recognise this kind of scenario). Also present is a level starting in a prison cell that requires a hectic escape and a mad dash to retrieve your gun before the guards beat you to death.

Sound is is excellent although music is only used briefly at certain points to emphasise tense or significant situations. Sound effects are good although the restrictions of the Mega-Drive meant speech was not obtainable.

There are a fair few gadgets at your disposal, with some proving less obvious than others (the stone springs to mind). Most notable include the force-field which, if timed right, can deflect enemy shots and a brilliant teleporter, which allows you to warp to an area in the level where you have left the teleport receiver.

It isn't a massively long game although with the huge amount and originality, variety and imagination on display its probably just as well Flashback didn't outstay its welcome and risk undoing all the good work of the six large levels already on offer. The action remains fresh from start to finish and always leaves the player wanting more. Luckily, you aren't forced to play through the whole game in one sitting as the password system allows you to save your position at the end of a level. The three difficulty settings add another dimension to proceedings as, when increased, new obstacles are presented, mainly in the form of more bad guys.

I don't recommend this to children under the age of ten as past experience leads me to believe it would be too tough. That said, it is perfectly suitable to watch - released in a time where Mortal Kombat could gloat about its gore-factor, Flashback simply ignores this route and is just fine without any.

It's rare these days to find a game so fabulous in every department - graphical, audio, value, gameplay and originality - Flashback triumphs on every level. I probably won't have convinced you to buy a Mega-Drive but believe me, Flashback is one retro attraction that you won't want to miss.

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