Flashback

"Cygnus"

Flashback for the Sega Genesis is without a doubt the best game for the system. In fact, it's in my top 3 favorite games ever! It's science-fiction storyline along with it's incredible gameplay make it a fun and unforgettable experience for any gamer.

Gameplay: You play as Conrad, a guy with a laser gun. You make you way through 7 levels using fantastic futuristic equipment such as teleporters and force-field belts. As you progress you learn more and more of what's really going on. The more you play, the more you want to play. Everything you do is crucial to the story and, unlike some games, doesn't feel like busywork. You must use your brains to solve all the problems you're faced with.

Story: Flashback has one of the best stories I've ever seen in a video game. It draws you in and keeps you there till the end. Without giving too much away, you play as an agent from the Galactic Bureau of Investigation named Conrad. In the game's opening, Conrad manages to escape from aliens who had kidnapped him. He crash lands on a jungle planet. Also, we learn that in an ironic twist Conrad has amnesia. Now, the story is much more complex and deep than this, and I feel I'm not doing the game justice by telling more, but doing so would create spoilers, thus causing this review not to get posted and thus causing you to never have read it. But since you obviously are, then there can be no spoilers. On a last note, the ending of this story is spectacular and will leave you in awe.

Graphics/Sound: Flashback has very good graphics for the Sega Genesis, especially the cinema scenes throughout the game. Each level has a distinct look and feel about it, from the starlight setting of Death Tower to the dark, dank city of New Washington. The music in the game is great, particularly the title and ending music. Both add to the story and help make Flashback more real and ominous.

Play Time/Replayability: The game of Flashback is no cakewalk; it will take time and dedication to finish. Each level may take hours to complete for a new player, possibly more. After beating the game, you'll want to either: A. increase the difficulty mode in which you play the game for another challenge; or B. play the game in the same difficulty mode you were playing in just because it's that much fun. Either way, you can rest assured that Flashback will prove fun even after you've beaten the game.

Final Recommendation: Unless you have something against unbelievably fun games, you're going to want to play this at least once in your life, but probably more. If you ever get the chance to buy or play this game- do, you won't regret it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/10/04, Updated 06/14/04