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Flashback

Flashback Game Cover
67%Game Brain Score
story, emotional
gameplay, graphics
82% User Score Based on 33 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Flashback Game Cover

About

Flashback is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Renka and was released on February 20, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

"Flashback is a single-player strategy game with an intriguing story. As a deliveryman, your choices and judgments shape your attributes, leading to different endings. Quitting events can lower your attributes but raise your level, potentially affecting the course of events."

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Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
Flashback screenshot
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82%
Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews
story8 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of decision-based storytelling and light strategy elements, creating a thought-provoking experience about survival and moral choices.
  • The art style is charming and fits the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with its minimalist yet effective presentation.
  • Despite its simplicity, the game offers replay value through multiple endings and the psychological mechanic of 'giving up,' encouraging players to explore different outcomes.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and grindy, with limited events leading to a lack of engagement over time.
  • The translation quality is poor, which detracts from the overall narrative experience and can confuse players.
  • Many players find the game lacking in depth and world-building, leaving them wanting more context and connection to the characters and setting.
  • story
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Flashback is a compact and atmospheric narrative that explores themes of survival, responsibility, and human vulnerability, presented through decision-based storytelling and light strategy elements. While some players appreciate its minimalist approach and the blend of dark comedy with a reflective tone, others find the plot to be shallow or disjointed, with inconsistent translations and a lack of depth in character development. Overall, the game offers a unique, personal experience that resonates with players who enjoy contemplative storytelling, despite its occasional narrative shortcomings.

    • “Flashback, developed and published by Renka, is a compact and thoughtful indie game that blends decision-based storytelling with light strategy elements, all wrapped in an atmospheric narrative about survival, responsibility, and consequence.”
    • “Through simple interactions and understated storytelling, it captures a universal sense of human endurance in the face of uncertainty.”
    • “Flashback doesn’t just tell a story; it lets you live one, fleeting yet profound, in a world that feels all too human.”
    • “Players seeking complex systems, deep character customization, or extensive dialogue trees may find its mechanics too light and its story too fleeting.”
    • “I couldn't really tell you what the main plot is because so much happens with little explanation, but it's just silly to go through.”
    • “The story's shallow, and the English translation is inconsistent at times (it's hard to tell who is a 'he' or 'she' depending on the scene).”
  • gameplay
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and emotional depth, focusing on themes of perseverance and identity through minimal mechanics. While some players appreciate the chill experience and beautiful aesthetics, others criticize it for being overly simplistic, lacking complexity, and relying heavily on luck, which can lead to frustrating playthroughs. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences but may not satisfy players seeking intricate gameplay systems.

    • “It’s a small-scale experience with big emotional weight, using minimal mechanics to explore themes of perseverance, identity, and the quiet struggles of daily existence.”
    • “A distinctive mechanic allows the player to 'give up' during certain events, effectively letting another personality take over.”
    • “Renka’s work is a testament to the power of simplicity done well—a reminder that games don’t need massive worlds or elaborate mechanics to make us reflect on who we are and the choices we make.”
    • “Players seeking complex systems, deep character customization, or extensive dialogue trees may find its mechanics too light and its story too fleeting.”
    • “The gameplay success highly relies on luck though, hence one mistake can instantly ruin the entire playthrough.”
    • “So you'll spend a huge amount of time not playing the game, but clicking through endless lines of poorly written visual novel text cutscenes because the developers couldn't work out how to relate their narrative through the game mechanics.”
  • graphics
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the minimalist and fitting art style that enhances the story, while others criticize the visuals as lacking authenticity and quality, likening them to a "hamfisted mess." Despite some appreciation for the artwork's beauty, many users find the overall presentation to be subpar, with simplistic 2D assets that fail to impress compared to classic retro games. Overall, the visuals are seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's strengths.

    • “The presentation is minimalist, with clean interfaces and understated artwork that serve the story rather than distract from it.”
    • “The art, however, feels very fitting to me. I love how it's beautiful and still has that 'fuzzy' art style at the same time.”
    • “Love the game's artwork; it creates a vague feeling that actually fits nicely with the game's plot.”
    • “Secondly, it destroys any hopes the developer had of creating a 'retro aesthetic' as their excuse for the lazy pixel art compromise... it looks completely inauthentic from a retro gaming perspective.”
    • “Visually, this is a hamfisted mess, a dog's breakfast of bad visuals, and this kind of laziness and poor quality should never be foisted on gamers.”
    • “While the artwork itself might be considered passable, the visual presentation here is negligible; it might as well be a slideshow or a YouTube video.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Flashback is characterized by a thoughtful blend of melancholy and reflection, enhanced by soft ambient soundtracks and subtle cues that immerse players in its narrative about survival and consequence. While the game successfully creates a somber yet relaxing tone, some players noted that the limited variety in the soundtrack and occasional fading can disrupt the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its depth and ability to complement the storytelling without overwhelming the player.

    • “Flashback, developed and published by Renka, is a compact and thoughtful indie game that blends decision-based storytelling with light strategy elements, all wrapped in an atmospheric narrative about survival, responsibility, and consequence.”
    • “Renka clearly understands the value of atmosphere, using it not to overwhelm but to immerse.”
    • “The sound design mirrors this philosophy: soft ambient tracks and subtle sound cues create a reflective atmosphere that complements the story’s melancholy pacing.”
    • “I particularly liked that I could still feel the somber atmosphere despite the lighthearted/relaxing tone of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is very pleasant and catchy, though it would've been great to have a broader variety, especially to support certain atmospheres.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for being pleasant and catchy, contributing to a relaxing atmosphere. However, reviewers note a lack of variety and instances where the soundtrack fades out, which can disrupt the immersive experience. Overall, while the music is enjoyable, a broader selection would enhance the game's ambiance.

    • “The soundtrack is very pleasant and catchy, though it would've been great to have a broader variety, especially to support certain atmospheres.”
    • “Beautiful art as always, and the music is pretty chill.”
    • “Only a single soundtrack and a handful of options for the story to progress.”
    • “I'd like to say it gives a relaxing chill playthrough, but the soundtrack fades out quite a lot of the time, which breaks the atmosphere a bit.”
    • “Although there could be more variety in the music, the tune the game has sounds pretty catchy.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game delivers a profound emotional experience through its minimal mechanics, exploring themes of perseverance and identity within the context of everyday struggles. Its focus on emotional realism, combined with a short runtime and replayable design, creates a lasting impact that resonates beyond the gameplay. Overall, it stands out for its ability to convey deep emotional complexity in a concise format.

    • “It’s a small-scale experience with big emotional weight, using minimal mechanics to explore themes of perseverance, identity, and the quiet struggles of daily existence.”
    • “It’s a small but elegant system that deepens the emotional complexity of what might otherwise be a straightforward narrative simulation.”
    • “Its short runtime, accessible design, and replayable structure make it approachable, but its emotional core gives it depth that lingers long after the screen fades to black.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with many feeling that the effort required to reach the ending is not justified by the rewards, particularly in the context of the Flashback feature.

    • “Very grindy.”
    • “It's tedious.”
    • “Flashback isn't worth the tedious slog it would take to figure out how to get to the ending.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers highlight that the game's structure and short runtime enhance its replayability, encouraging players to experiment with various strategies and approaches. The combination of accessible design and a compelling emotional core adds depth, making players want to revisit the experience even after completion.

    • “It also adds replay value, encouraging experimentation with different mindsets and behaviors.”
    • “Flashback’s structure makes it naturally replayable.”
    • “Its short runtime, accessible design, and replayable structure make it approachable, but its emotional core gives it depth that lingers long after the screen fades to black.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the humor in the game to be lighthearted and enjoyable, often highlighting the element of luck as a source of comedic moments. The overall tone is described as comfy and amusing, contributing positively to the roguelike experience.

    • “A really comfy roguelike where you have to rely on luck, but the humor throughout the game makes it a delightful experience.”
    • “The witty dialogue and hilarious situations keep me laughing, making each run feel fresh and entertaining.”
    • “The game's quirky characters and absurd scenarios add a layer of humor that makes even the toughest challenges enjoyable.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is enhanced by appealing designs and engaging endings from the first game, which deepen players' appreciation for the characters. While the game can stand alone, the charm of the world and its characters adds significant value to the overall experience.

    • “I found myself appreciating the game a lot more because I liked the character designs and endings from the first game and wanted to know more about them.”
    • “It's a charming world with great character designs.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Flashback is a casual strategy game.

Flashback is available on PC and Windows.

Flashback was released on February 20, 2023.

Flashback was developed by Renka.

Flashback has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Flashback is a single player game.

Similar games include Soul Gambler, The Bottom of the Well, Citizen Sleeper, Death and Taxes, Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos and others.