Flashback 2

Here's a sequel to a game released thirty years ago; that came out of nowhere, didn't it? Flashback 2 is the new age follow-up to the platformer that didn't exactly become part of the gaming canon but did well enough to win some hearts and minds in the day. But the question is, why follow this title up three decades after its original release? More to the point, is it still relevant?

So here we are in 2022 with a wholly transformed game with 3D graphics and new mechanics, yet the same premise. The aliens have invaded, and it's up to you and your platforming skills to overcome the challenges this intergalactic threat brings the futuristic world. Let's see how a sequel comes out when it's released thirty years after the original.

It's a Flashback, Alright

It's almost like the developers woke up one day and said, "Hey, I miss Flashback; let's make another" thirty years to date. Long waits for sequels aren't unheard of. Still, the original game has been largely forgotten, leaving us to wonder what prompted the sudden urgent need for Flashback 2. We're not complaining; the original was an excellent platformer for its time, so we're excited to see what's on offer in the sequel.

So to gloss over the narrative, players will take on the role of Conrad, an intelligence agent who discovered shapeshifting aliens on Earth. After escaping, he was in a bizarre scenario involving intergalactic travel and playing an alien game show to return to his home planet. That threat has increased to the entire solar system this time, and it's up to you to save it.

You'll do some running and gunning in a nostalgically-fused 2.5D environment. Drive your bike through some colorful interplanetary locations. Oh, and let's remember there's that same oddball sci-fi story that felt like it's never left the confines of the 90s. Despite its laughable cheesiness in spots, the combat, variation, and interactions of Flashback 2 are entertaining.

That being said, I wouldn't go on to represent the game as revolutionary in any capacity. Whether intentional or not, Flashback 2 feels like a modern sequel attempting to capture the nostalgia of old-school platform gameplay. From a particular perspective, it's nice. Still, players might feel the game is tired, especially as the original was released thirty years ago.

Handpicked Nostalgia

So is Flashback 2 worth a play? Well, two types of people would enjoy this title; retro gamers and those who have played the original. Getting new players on board is a bit of a task, considering it's got the dated mechanics and visual style of something like Duke Nukem Forever. However, the former didn't make the same mistake as the latter in overhyping it.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A classic platformer reignited
• Varied gameplay provides challenge and immersion throughout
• Combat is thoroughly enjoyable

Cons:

• The story is cringing
• Many attempted upgrades on mechanics still feel dated
• The visuals also look a bit worn by modern standards