Flashback 2, an upcoming cyberpunk shooter and platformer from Microids and the original game’s designer Paul Cuisset, has just released another gameplay trailer. It features a comparison between the nostalgic Jungle stage and the sequel’s updated look, as well as some glimpses of the other environments.
Following its delay in 2022, Flashback 2 is also finally slated to release on November 16th, 2023, according to a new tweet. It will be available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. There will be special physical editions as well, including a Limited and Collector’s Edition, which are teased in today’s new “Jungle” trailer from Microids’ YouTube channel:
It was bold to include retro gameplay footage in the new trailer. Flashback 2’s Jungle looks quite different because it’s full of dramatic lighting, from the natural environment to the glowing technology. This meticulous lighting is used in footage of the other upcoming environments too, generating mood and drawing attention.
The new Jungle is bright and busy. As a result, it feels more tropical and mysterious than remote and dangerous, as in the original.
While longtime fans may feel dismayed, the visuals look detailed, polished and unique. It’s more interesting to see areas evolve for a sequel. Naturally, it would have been all too easy to rely on the same art design of the original to rope in players with nostalgia. Flashback 2 seems to feel consistent enough, while justifying the new look.
Hopefully, it’ll toy around with the depth a little more. Today’s trailer shows how targets can hide behind details in the foreground or background. It’d be interesting to see creative twists with that, especially with regard to puzzle solving or exploration.
You can read more about Flashback 2, Microids, and other upcoming action games by checking out the rest of our news section.
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