Flashback 2 Will Fade to Black in November 2023 on PS5, PS4

Conrad makes a comeback

by Sammy Barker Wed 26th Apr 2023

Flashback 2, the sequel to 1992’s legendary side-scroller, will target a November 2023 release on PlayStation platforms – and here’s your first look at gameplay. Scheduled to release on both PS5 and PS4, the title looks to have retained the original’s perspective, but added depth to the scenes. This means you can run into the background, so it’s like a hybrid of 2D and 3D gameplay.

The Delphine Software smash hit has received a sequel before, in the form of the PS1’s Fade to Black, although it’s still unclear how this new game will be connected to the 32-bit era release. Series creator Paul Cuisset has been enlisted to lead development, however, where he’s working alongside Microids teams in Paris and Lyon.

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There’ll be a couple of physical Collector’s Editions available on PS5 and PS4, and here are the details:

Limited Edition

Flashback 2 Will Fade to Black in November 2023 on PS5, PS4 2

The Game
An Exclusive Steelbook®
Flashback 2 Digital Soundtrack

Collector's Edition

Flashback 2 Will Fade to Black in November 2023 on PS5, PS4 3

The Game
The Original Flashback in Digital Version
An 8-inch (20cm) Figurine of Conrad
3 Lithographs
An Exclusive Steelbook®
A Unique Badge
Flashback 2 Digital Soundtrack
2 Stickers Sheets

Are you interested in returning to the world of Flashback? Ready up your blaster in the comments section below and let us know.

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
BusyOlf
Wed 26th Apr 2023

I was young enough to remember the first Flashback and then being disappointed when playing it on a Spectrum. Any youths on here wanting to know what gaming was like back in the late 80s your UncleBUsy here will tell you it was sh1te. I’m off to yell at clouds!

2
get2sammyb
Wed 26th Apr 2023

I'm kinda interested in this. I don't think it'll be very good, but it's cool to see they're giving it a shot!

3
Voltan
Wed 26th Apr 2023

I never played the original but I remember thinking it looked very impressive (in printed screenshots) in 1992

4
Matroska
Wed 26th Apr 2023

The original was pretty bad but was an early version of motion capture in videogames (in a sense; it was rotoscoped) so it stood out back then. I was going to say I'm getting Shenmue 3 vibes from this - a sequel to a notable game that's released way later than you'd expect that then turns out to be bad - and then I realised the protag is dressed exactly the same as Ryo.

5
themightyant
Wed 26th Apr 2023

I see what you did there! Loved Fade to Black too, but not as much as Flashback. It felt like the future.

6
skaarj217
Wed 26th Apr 2023

The original is a masterpiece, and it's NOT a side-scroller - the screens are static with some animated elements and rotoscoped animations for characters.

7
GeeEssEff
Wed 26th Apr 2023

Got serious nostalgia vibes when I read Fade to black. Those were the days.

8
VanguardKaiser
Wed 26th Apr 2023

Loved Flashback back when it originally released. I've been enjoying Lunark on ps5 which is an homage to Flashback.

9
extragood
Wed 26th Apr 2023

I wasn't aware Flashback was such an impactful game as to get a sequel. I'm not complaining, though. may even pick up the original version on PS4 to give it a spin.

10
trev666
Wed 26th Apr 2023

@GeeEssEff loved fade to black

11
Balosi
Wed 26th Apr 2023

I loved the original flashback, think I played it on the megadrive. Even finished it, got pretty easy once you got used to the controls (which took a while admittedly).
I might give a sequel a go, even if things have moved on.