Flashback: The Quest for Identity

Review

by Christopher Michael Baker

Flashback - The Quest for Identity is one of the more enjoyable platform games available for the Sega CD. Instead of just shooting your way through enemy after enemy in order to get through each level, you've also got obstacles to avoid and puzzles to solve. There's a little bit of everything.

The first thing you'll notice is the fantastic graphics of the game. The game's first level occurs in a jungle, which is lush with green vegetation. In fact, all of the environments look quite nice, but perhaps the most impressive graphic is Conrad Hart himself. His movements are so fluent and lifelike that you might for moment actually think he is real. Even his outfit looks like something an actual person might wear on a regular basis. When Conrad finds objects of importance, uses certain objects or the story advances, you'll see some very nice computer-generated cut scenes as well.

Equally impressive is the sound in the game. Speech is used frequently, and the futuristic sound effects are quite cool. The music is great as well, perfectly complementing the tone of the game.

The puzzles in Flashback are not impossible, but may get you frustrated if you can't find something you need. Usually, though, you'll be able to find whatever you may need just before you think you've had enough of the game.

It's this frustration factor, actually, that is Flashback's biggest fault. Besides seemingly unsolvable puzzles at times, you may also get quite frustrated when you miss a jump and plummet to your death or step on a device that may immediately incinerate you. Going back and doing everything you just did can take several minutes and deters from the game's overall fun factor.

Flashback is actually not so different from Prince of Persia. The game's concentration to character movement, the puzzles involved and Conrad's ability to grab onto a ledge and lift himself soon reminded me of Jordan Mechner's classic. Flashback is very much a futuristic Prince of Persia.

Fortunately, that's a good thing. While the influence of Prince of Persia is obvious, the game is so good that you won't necessarily think of Flashback as a copycat. Its intriguing story and overall appeal will make you want to quest for your identity.