Editing Flashback (1992 video game)

{{Short description|1992 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Flashback
| image = Flashback cover.png
| caption = Original Amiga cover art
| developer = {{unbulleted list|[[Delphine Software International]]|[[Tiertex Design Studios|Tiertex]] (SNES, PC-CD, 3DO, CD-i, Jaguar)|Chui (Dreamcast)|Presage Software (Macintosh)}}
| publisher = {{unbulleted list|[[U.S. Gold]]|JoshProd (Dreamcast)|[[Microids]] (Switch)}}
| designer = [[Paul Cuisset]]
| composer = {{unbulleted list|[[Jean Baudlot]]|[[Raphaël Gesqua]]|Fabrice Visserot}}
| platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Acorn Archimedes]], [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[MS-DOS]], [[NEC PC-9801]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], [[Sega CD]], [[FM Towns]], [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]], [[CD-i]], [[Atari Jaguar|Jaguar]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[iOS]], [[Symbian]], [[Maemo]], [[Dreamcast]], [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]], [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One]]
| released = 1992<br />1993 (MS-DOS, SNES, Acorn Archimedes, Sega Genesis)<br />March 1995 (CD-i)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=CVG Preview - CD-i |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/79/CVG_UK_159.pdf |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=159 |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |date=February 1995 |page=44}}</ref>
| genre = [[Cinematic platformer]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''Flashback''''', released as '''''Flashback: The Quest for Identity''''' in the United States, is a 1992 [[science fiction]] [[cinematic platform game]]. It was developed by [[Delphine Software]] of France and published by [[U.S. Gold]] in the United States and Europe, and by [[Sunsoft]] in Japan.

The game was created for the [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], and was directed, written, designed, and partially programmed by [[Paul Cuisset]], who with [[Éric Chahi]] had previously created the adventure game ''[[Future Wars]]''. ''Flashback'' was launched for the [[Amiga]] in 1992.<ref name="RG">{{Cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Darran|date=July 18, 2013|title=Flashback to the Future|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=118|pages=20–25|issn=1742-3155}}</ref> It was released for Mega Drive/Genesis, [[MS-DOS]], [[Acorn Archimedes]], and [[Super NES]] in 1993. CD-ROM versions for the [[Sega CD]], [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]], [[CD-i]], MS-DOS, [[Macintosh]], and [[FM Towns]] were released during 1994 and 1995, together with a cartridge version for the [[Atari Jaguar|Jaguar]] in 1995. In 2017, the game was released worldwide on the [[Dreamcast]], featuring graphic assets and cutscenes from the MS-DOS version and music from the Amiga version.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk/2017/08/review-flashback.html|title=Review: Flashback|website=www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk|access-date=2018-01-02}}</ref> An updated port titled ''Flashback: Remastered Edition'' was released for [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]] on June 7, 2018, for [[PlayStation 4]] on November 20, 2018, and for Windows on November 29, 2018. The game was also released on October 2023 for the Evercade platforms as part of Delphine collection cartridge and is based on the original Megadrive/Genesis version.

It was originally advertised as a "[[CD-ROM]] game on a cartridge", and features fully hand-drawn backdrops and [[Rotoscoping|rotoscoped]] animation, with unusually fluid movements similar to ''[[Prince of Persia (1989 video game)|Prince of Persia]]'' from 1989. The video capture technique of ''Flashback'' was invented independently of ''Prince of Persia'', using a more complicated method of first tracing video images onto transparencies.

The game was a commercial and critical success and was listed in the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the best-selling French game of all time. Its sequel is ''[[Fade to Black (video game)|Fade to Black]]'' in 1995. In 2013, a ''[[Flashback (2013 video game)|Flashback]]'' remake by [[VectorCell]] was released for the PC and consoles.

A new sequel, ''[[Flashback 2]]'' by [[Microids]], was released on November 16, 2023, for the [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]], with previous generation consoles getting their release early 2024. It is a prequel set eight years before the original.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Flashback - The Quest for Identity.png|frame|left|Conrad fights two corrupt cops in the Mega Drive/Genesis version.]]
As a [[Platform game#Cinematic platform game|cinematic platformer]], ''Flashback'' features gameplay similar to that of 1989's ''[[Prince of Persia (1989 video game)|Prince of Persia]]'', and Delphine's ''[[Another World (video game)|Another World]]'' released in 1991. Each level spans many non-scrolling screens, nearly all of which feature multiple levels of altitude. This requires the player character Conrad to jump, grab onto ledges, climb, use elevators, and drop onto lower levels. Conrad exhibits realistic human running speed and jumping ability, and realistic weakness. He dies if he falls from a great height.

Conrad carries a pistol with unlimited ammunition; a force shield, which absorbs a certain number of shots before needing recharging, acting as Conrad's health; and a portable force field with unlimited use, which can act as a temporary barrier to block enemies' shots.

As Conrad progresses through the game's seven levels, he is increasingly presented with spatial puzzles, requiring the player to discover how to guide him toward his destination. Late in the game, Conrad receives a [[teleportation]] device, and is able to progress by throwing the device and teleporting into otherwise unreachable areas.
{{clear left}}

==Plot==
In the year 2142, intelligence agent Conrad B. Hart awakens in a jungle on the planet Titan, with no memory of how he got there. While exploring his surroundings, Conrad comes across a recording containing a message made by himself, advising him to find his friend Ian in the city of New Washington on the planet. Making his way there, Conrad arrives to find Ian being attacked by the local police for unknown reasons. After saving them, Ian uses a regenerator device to restore Conrad's memories, using a digital copy that Conrad had sent them.

The device causes Conrad to recall that he had recently made a visor designed for analysing the density of molecular structures in organic life, but through its use had inadvertently discovered an alien species called Morphs had infiltrated human society. Fearful of what they were doing, Conrad sent a copy of his memories to Ian as a precaution, before attempting to warn the authorities, only to be caught by the Morphs who erased all knowledge of their existence from his mind and attempted to get rid of him.

Seeking to uncover more, Conrad vows to return to Earth to inform his superiors, but is informed by Ian his only hope of leaving Titan is to win a ticket in a gladiatorial deathmatch game known as "Death Tower", alongside acquiring forged papers - the latter requiring Conrad to take on a series of dangerous jobs around New Washington. After acquiring both, Conrad returns to Earth, but finds that Morph infiltrators were prepared, forcing him to defend himself while breaching their hideout under a local nightclub.

Inside the hideout, Conrad spies on a group of Morphs through a vent, hearing them discussing their plan to conquer Earth thanks to their subtle efforts to give them new technology they can utilize. Unfortunately, the vent gives way, causing Conrad to be captured. Managing to escape, he fights his way through the hideout, eventually uncovering a teleport to the Morphs' home planet. Determined to stop them, he comes across a human prisoner named Phillip Howard Clark, who the Morphs had been using for their own ends.

Agreeing to free him, Conrad opens his cell, but is powerless to stop a Morph executing Phillip. Before dying, they hand him an atomic charge. Uncovering his diary, Conrad learns Phillip had been manipulated to help the Morphs plans for conquering humanity, and had thus sent blueprints for the visor technology to Titan, hoping someone would attempt to recreate it. Conrad learns that the atomic charge he was given was designed to destroy the "Master Brain", an entity that controls the Morphs deep within the planet's core.

Forcing it to become active and expose itself, and guided by Phillip's voice, Conrad plants the charge on an unstable platform above the core, and then forces the Master Brain to trigger a tremor, leading to the charge dropping into the core. Conrad then escapes with a Morph's spacecraft moments before the planet is destroyed. Unable to navigate back home due to the galaxy he is now in, Conrad puts himself in [[suspended animation]] while his ship drifts into space, leading up to the events of ''[[Fade to Black (video game)|Fade to Black]]''.

==Development and release==
The PC version has an extended introductory sequence and more minor cut scenes than the [[Amiga]] version, such as when picking up items. In the Amiga version, the user can see these scenes by enabling them (although with few seconds of delay every time the animations load) or by playing the game entirely from the hard drive. The Amiga version also had an option to zoom in on the action whenever Conrad opens fire. Due to criticism of the look, it was removed from all other versions, although an option to play the game zoomed in remained in the PC version. The message that Conrad writes in the ending was also different in this release.<ref>"Here is the story as far as I know. My current position is unknown. I can't find the galaxy I am in on any of my many star-maps. With no start point I cannot even calculate a return trajectory so I seem doomed to a life of aimless drifting..."</ref> The Macintosh version was developed by Presage Software.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presage.com/pFlashback.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014819/http://www.presage.com/pFlashback.html|title=Presage Products - Flashback|website=Presage Software|archivedate=June 14, 1997|accessdate=January 19, 2025}}</ref>

The game was originally released on [[Floppy disk#3½-inch disk|3.5" floppy disk]] for [[MS-DOS]]. The re-release on CD-ROM for the [[Sega CD]] (later adapted to the [[Personal computer|PC CD-ROM]], [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]] and [[CD-i]]) featured redone pre-rendered cinematic [[Full-motion video|FMV]]s with voice acting and sound effects. The Sega CD version also has voice work for gameplay and CD tracks for each level which were not carried to the other CD-ROM conversions. The Jaguar port has the title screen that these versions have, but the music is different and the cutscenes are as on the original releases.

In 2013, Paul Cuisset told ''[[Retro Gamer]]'': "The best version for me is the Mega Drive version. The game was created for this platform".<ref name="RG" />

In North America, the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] and Sega CD versions featured a [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comic book within the manual in order to explain the initial story. The [[PAL]] releases of the Mega Drive and Super NES versions (there was no Mega CD version in the PAL region) omitted the comic and instead featured a textual prologue. The Super NES port featured some minor censorship due to [[Nintendo]]'s content guidelines at the time. Changes included New Washington's bar becoming a cafe and ''Death Tower'' being renamed ''Cyber Tower'', while the enemy mutants (who had natural skin colors in other versions) were recolored green.

A two-track CD soundtrack was released featuring music inspired by the game, but not directly from it.<ref>[http://binarybonsai.com/the-lost-flashback-soundtrack Lost Flashback Soundtrack at Binary Bonsai] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110221847/http://binarybonsai.com/the-lost-flashback-soundtrack |date=2012-11-10 }}</ref>

''Flashback'', along with ''[[Another World (video game)|Another World]]'', shipped as a single retail package by Microids for the PlayStation 4, Switch and Xbox One in Europe on April 16, 2020.<ref>{{cite press release | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/359458/Another_World_and_Flashback_offered_together_for_the_very_first_time.php | title = Another World and Flashback offered together for the very first time! | date = March 12, 2020 |website=Gamasutra | publisher = Microids | access-date = April 14, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029040120/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/359458/Another_World_and_Flashback_offered_together_for_the_very_first_time.php |archivedate=October 29, 2020}}</ref>

==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>

==Legacy==
A [[Flashback (2013 video game)|2013 remake]] was released after being announced on April 11, 2013, with a reveal trailer.<ref name="digitalspy martin 2013" />

A sequel titled ''[[Fade to Black (video game)|Fade to Black]]'' was produced by [[Delphine Software International]] in 1995 for the [[IBM PC compatible|PC]] and [[PlayStation]] as a 3D game. A third game in the series, ''[[Fade to Black (video game)#Cancelled sequel|Flashback Legend]]'', was in development by both [[Delphine Software International]] and [[Adeline Software International]] for a planned release in 2003, but was cancelled when the company went bankrupt and ceased operations at the end of 2002.

In early 2013, a game titled ''Flashback Origins'' was rumored to be in development, with the French website Gameblog stating that €300,000 of [[government funding]] had been granted to Cuisset's [[VectorCell]] in 2011.<ref name="digitalspy martin 2013">{{cite news | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a452770/flashback-hd-remake-in-the-works-as-new-image-surfaces.html | title='Flashback' HD remake 'in the works' as new image surfaces | work=[[Digital Spy]] | date=January 22, 2013 | access-date=January 25, 2013 | author=Martin, Liam}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes 2013-01-23">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/Game-Reviews/Flashback-remake-suggested-as-image-and-funding-emerge/SP-Article1-998666.aspx | title='Flashback' remake suggested as image and funding emerge | work=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=January 23, 2013 | access-date=January 25, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201033345/http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/Game-Reviews/Flashback-remake-suggested-as-image-and-funding-emerge/SP-Article1-998666.aspx | archive-date=February 1, 2013 }}</ref>

In May 2021, ''[[Flashback 2]]'' was announced for personal computers and multiple consoles. The game was developed by [[Microids]] who did not specify how the game would be connected, if at all, to ''Fade to Black''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-04-16-bit-sci-fi-classic-flashback-is-getting-another-sequel | title = 16-bit sci-fi classic Flashback is getting (another) sequel | first=  Matt | last = Wales | date = May 4, 2021 | accessdate = May 4, 2021 | work = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2021/05/microids-announces-flashback-2-2022/|title=Microids Announces Flashback 2 Will Launch in 2022 for Consoles & PC|website=Twinfinite|first=Andrew|last=McMahon|date=May 4, 2021|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref> The game was released on November 16, 2023, for the [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]], with previous generation consoles getting their release in early 2024.  ''Flashback 2'' is a prequel set eight years before the original.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-26 |title=Flashback 2 out November 2023 - here's a gameplay trailer |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/flashback-2-out-november-2023-heres-a-gameplay-trailer |access-date=2023-05-05}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/flashback-the-quest-for-identity|name=''Flashback: The Quest for Identity''}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|France|Video games}}
{{Flashback series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flashback (1992 video game)}}
[[Category:1992 video games]]
[[Category:3DO games]]
[[Category:Acorn Archimedes games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Atari Jaguar games]]
[[Category:CD-i games]]
[[Category:Cinematic platformers]]
[[Category:Cyberpunk video games]]
[[Category:Delphine Software International games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Dreamcast homebrew games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Maemo games]]
[[Category:Microïds games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Sega CD games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sunsoft games]]
[[Category:Symbian games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Tiertex Design Studios games]]
[[Category:U.S. Gold games]]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Video games developed in France]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jean Baudlot]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 22nd century]]
[[Category:Video games set on Titan (moon)]]
[[Category:Video games with rotoscoped graphics]]