Flashback Longplay (Mega CD) [60 FPS]

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Published on ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K7YG49egx0



Game:
Flashback (1992)
Duration: 2:02:56
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Next in my series of video longplays covering Delphine's classic, Flashback, comes the Sega Mega CD version. At it's core, the game is the same version as the Mega Drive - given that I have limited time to make these videos, I decided to cover the CD variant and look at the advantages (and any disadvantages) that this version has over other editions of the game.

For those who want to read a review focusing on the actual game, go check out my video on the Amiga version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNTnRM77XuE

Graphically, the game looks pretty much identical to the Amiga version. However, the game runs generally faster and more smoothly than the Amiga version, particularly the character animations. However, there are small differences, such as additional colours used in some of the effects and animations (e.g. the animations used for the teleporting enemies). It's this additional smoothness and responsiveness that means it's the best of the versions I've played so far in terms of playability.

The main differences offered by CD versions of the game are the inclusion of a fully mastered CD soundtrack (including background music that doesn't exist in other versions) and the inclusion of fully rendered video cut-scenes. These sequences replace the hand-drawn, vector-style scenes from the disk and cartridge versions of the game and look quite impressive for the time. Unfortunately, the quality of the video isn't great (not surprising given the system's resolution and video compression technology of the day), so the fine detail is lost in some of the scenes (I believe the 3DO version looks a lot better in these respects).

As for the new music score, it made the whole game a lot more exciting and I thought it was a really great addition. The Death Tower section sounds especially good thanks to the glitzy, 'razzmatazz' tempo and cheering crowd samples. It really makes the non-CD versions of the game sound boring by comparison.

In addition to the music, there's also some hammy voice acting that replaces the original text-based dialogue sequences from other versions. I don't think the actors won any awards for their performace, but it's still a nice touch and is a good example of the advances that CD-based games could offer.

I encountered an annoying glitch during the New Washington portion of the game whereby the sound effects would disappear. The only way to get them back was to force a video transition, which is why you'll see me use the map on occasion in random locations. Fortunately, the problem didn't persist beyond this section.

As much as I am a fan of the Amiga version, I will have to admit (albeit grudgingly) that this is the best of the versions I've played. The fluidity and responsiveness of the control scheme makes sure that the player is always in control of the character and is never waiting for the game to catch up with player's input, unlike the SNES version.

Ultimately, the CD format and additional multimedia capabilities offered by the format mean that the end result is a more definitive edition of the game, really showing the limitations of cartridge and disk-based formats. I've yet to play the 3DO version of the game, but as it stands, this is the version I recommend that you play, should you have to pick one.
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Tags:
Longplay
Flashback: The Quest for Identity
Mega CD
Sega CD
Sega
Delphine
16-bit
Retrogames
Old Games
HD