Editing Flashback (1992 video game) (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviewers -->| MC = 77/100 (NS)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/flashback/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Flashback for Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.25/10 (SNES)<ref name=EGM30/><br />7.5/10 (SCD)<ref name=EGM65/>
| NGen = 3/5 (SCD, 3DO)<ref name=NGen4/><ref name=NG5/><br />4/5 (MAC)<ref name=NGen6/>
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev1Score = B (SCD)<ref name=EWrev/>
| rev2 = ''[[MegaTech]]''
| rev2Score = 94%<ref name="MTech22">''[[MegaTech]]'' rating, [[EMAP]], issue 22, page 99, October 1993</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]''
| rev3Score = 94%<ref>[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]] review, issue 9, page 53, June 1993</ref>
<!-- Awards -->| award1Pub = [[Sega]]
| award1 = Best Action Adventure RGP Game of the Year<ref name="Flashback-EGM65">{{cite magazine|title=Flashback - Awards |url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_65#page/n179 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=65 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 1994 |page=157}}</ref>
| award2Pub = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]
| award2 = Editor's Choice Three Continuous Months<ref name="Flashback-EGM65"/>
| award3Pub = [[Game Informer]]
| award3 = Game of the Year<ref name="Flashback-EGM65"/>
| award4Pub = [[Nintendo Power]]
| award4 = Best of Show Winter CES<ref name="Flashback-EGM65"/>
| award5Pub = [[Game Pro]]
| award5 = Action Adventure of the Year<ref name="Flashback-EGM65"/>
| award6Pub = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]
| award6 = Editor's Choice Gold Award<ref name="Flashback-EGM65"/>
| Allgame = 4.5/5 (MAC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15585&tab=review |title=Flashback (Macintosh) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045656/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15585&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />4/5 (3DO)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11630&tab=review |title=Flashback (3DO) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045924/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11630&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />4/5 (SCD)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1415&tab=review |title=Flashback (Sega CD) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045926/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1415&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />4/5 (Genesis)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=216&tab=review |title=Flashback (Sega Genesis) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045922/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=216&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev4 = CD-i
| rev4Score = 92% (CDI)<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Stout |first=Andy |date=February 1995 |title=Flashback Review |url=https://archive.org/details/cdi-uk-10/page/n7/mode/2up |journal=CD-i |issue=10 |pages=8–10 |access-date=April 4, 2022}}</ref>
}}

About 750,000 copies were sold by 1995.<ref name=pcgamesrev>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961018102246/http://www.pcgamesmag.com/games/Nov95/fade1195.html | url=http://www.pcgamesmag.com:80/games/Nov95/fade1195.html | title=''Fade to Black'' | magazine=PC Games | author=Klett, Steve | date=November 1995 | archive-date=October 18, 1996 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 17, 2019 }}</ref>

''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' approved of ''Flashback''{{'}}s "superbly rotoscoped graphics", "fluid movement", and [[sound card]] audio. Criticizing the awkward interface and use of [[save point]]s, the magazine concluded that it "is an excellent game that truly creates a sense of reality".<ref name="pyron199310">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=111 | title=Flash Forward to Flashback | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=October 1993 | access-date=25 March 2016 | author=Pyron, Dave | pages=60, 62}}</ref> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' praised the SNES version for having improved graphics and music over the Genesis version. They remarked that ''Flashback'' is slow-paced at times, but retains the player's interest through its compelling plot and involving puzzles.<ref name="EGM30">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Flashback|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=56|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=March 1994|page=34}}</ref> ''[[MegaTech]]'' magazine conceded that although there were "five big levels", finishing the game did not take very long.<ref name="MTech22"/> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' praised the graphics, story and animation, calling it "almost cinematic" while noting that the play control takes "some getting used to".<ref name="nintendo-power-review">{{cite magazine |date=January 1994 |title=Now Playing |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |volume=56 |page=103}}</ref>

Jim Trunzo reviewed ''Flashback: The Quest for Identity'' in ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'' #38 (1993), giving it a final evaluation of "Very Good" and stated that "Even gamers not including toward arcade entertainment will quickly become engrossed by ''Flashback''. It's a tough but fair challenge. Players will grow fascinated as this sci-fi mystery unfolds screen by screen."<ref name="WW38">{{Cite magazine |last=Trunzo |first=Jim |date=1993|title=The Silicon Dungeon |magazine= [[White Wolf Magazine]] |number=38 |page=30, 32}}</ref>

''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' commented that the Sega CD version is "virtually identical" to the Genesis version, but that ''Flashback'' is still an essential purchase for those who do not already own a different version.<ref name="EGM65">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Flashback|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=65|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1994|page=44}}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]'', in contrast, argued that the reworked cutscenes "look so awesome that even gamers who've already completed this game on another platform will want to play it again just to see all the new CD footage". They also praised the addition of a CD-quality soundtrack and voices.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Flashback|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=66|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=January 1995|page=58}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' acknowledged that the Sega CD version makes considerable improvements, but argued that they are all standard cartridge-to-Sega CD enhancements which have no impact on the gameplay. However, he lauded ''Flashback'' itself for its graphics, animation and "fiendishly clever puzzles", and said that though the game superficially resembles ''[[Another World (video game)|Another World]]'' and ''[[Heart of the Alien]]'', it is "in a class by itself that easily surpasses them".<ref name=NGen4>{{cite magazine |title=Natural |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=4|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=April 1995|page=93}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' similarly said that ''Flashback'' held up well, but that the Sega CD version's improvements seem less significant than its frequent load times.<ref name=EWrev>{{cite magazine |last=Strauss |first=Bob |title=Flashback |url=https://ew.com/article/1995/01/20/flashback-3/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=25 February 2020 |date=January 20, 1995}}</ref> Reviewing the Jaguar version, ''GamePro'' noted that it was merely a straight port with no enhancements to take advantage of the hardware, but that "the game is no less enjoyable" than when it was first released to game consoles over a year before.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Flashback|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=69 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1995|page=92}}</ref>

''Next Generation'' reviewed the Macintosh version, praising the animation, story sequences, plot, level design, and longevity.<ref name=NGen6>{{cite magazine |title=Flashback |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=6|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=June 1995|page=109}}</ref> Its 3DO review stated that "this title is still the same great game that we've been looking at for a couple of years. And one last note, the 3DO controller, for once, doesn't interfere (much) with the game's demanding control scheme."<ref name=NG5>{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=May 1995|page=89}}</ref>

''Flashback'' was listed in the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the best-selling [[France|French]] game of all time.<ref name = "edge">{{cite magazine | title = The making of... Flashback | magazine = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | publisher = Future Publishing | pages = 104–107 }}</ref> The Mega Drive version became a bestseller.<ref>Official Gallup UK Mega Drive sales chart, August 1993, published in ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' issue 11</ref>

In 1994, ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' placed the game at number eight of top Mega Drive games of all time.<ref>''Mega'' magazine issue 26, page 74, [[Maverick Magazines]], November 1994</ref> In 1997, ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' listed the Genesis version as number 92 on its "100 Best Games of All Time", calling it "a strong package that is fun to play even today. ''Flashback'' makes us feel like we're ''in'' that alien world, and with its lifelike animation and excellent moves, we can't help but love it."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|pages=104, 106}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref> In February 2011, [[Wirtualna Polska]] ranked it as the 17th best Amiga game<ref name="Wirtualna Polska 2011-02-19">{{cite web|url=http://gry.wp.pl/galeria/30-najlepszych-gier-na-amige,179431/15.html|title=17. Flashback. - 30 najlepszych gier na Amigę|date=19 February 2011|publisher=[[Wirtualna Polska]]|language=pl|trans-title=17. Flashback. - 30 best games for the Amiga|access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref> and the Polish edition of ''[[Chip (magazine)|CHIP]]'' ranked it as the tenth best Amiga game.<ref>{{in lang|pl}} Michał Wierzbicki, [http://www.chip.pl/news/rozrywka/download/2010/02/dziesiec-najlepszych-gier-na-amige Dziesięć najlepszych gier na Amigę] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530030703/http://www.chip.pl/news/rozrywka/download/2010/02/dziesiec-najlepszych-gier-na-amige/ |date=2016-05-30 }}, Chip.pl, 23.02.2010</ref> In 2004, readers of ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' voted ''Flashback'' as the 65th top retro game.<ref>''Retro Gamer'' 8, page 67.</ref> In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' named ''Flashback'' the 17th best computer game of all time. The editors wrote, "''Flashback'' proves that, when it comes to producing original, stylish and challenging games, there are few more adept than the French."<ref name=pcgameruktop50>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] | title=The ''PC Gamer'' Top 50 PC Games of All Time |date=April 1994 | issue=5 | pages=43–56 }}</ref> [[IGN]] rated the game #79th on their "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time".<ref>{{Citation|title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com|url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games|language=en|access-date=2022-01-28}}</ref> In 2018, [[Complex Networks|Complex]] listed the game 43rd in their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Rich|date=April 30, 2018|title=The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|access-date=2022-02-05|website=Complex|language=en}}</ref> In 1995, ''[[Total!]]'' placed the game 24th on their Top 100 SNES Games. The lauded the rotoscoped graphics saying at the time "the most realistic animation ever seen in a platformer". They also praised the combination of action and adventure style puzzle challenges, summarizing: "The game itself is a [..] of an experience and the excellent plot also keeps the whole thing incredibly atmospheric."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1995 |title=Top SNES Games |url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n41/mode/2up |journal=Total! |issue=43 |pages=43 |access-date=March 15, 2022}}</ref> In the same year, [[Flux (magazine)|''Flux'']] ranked ''Flashback'' tenth on its "Top 100 Video Games."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1995 |title=Top 100 Video Games |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n25/mode/2up |journal=Flux |publisher=Harris Publications |issue=4 |pages=27}}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|''GamesMaster'']] listed the Mega Drive version 59th in its "Top 100 Games of All Time."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=76}}</ref>