Flashback

Finally limping onto Sega CD almost two years after its Genesis debut, this futuristic role-playing thriller is still worth checking out — there hasn't been a game since that has matched its unique, almost hypnotic dynamic (languorous stretches of exploration and problem-solving punctuated by bursts of realistic gunplay). But keep this in mind: Because of its atmospheric soundtrack and cinematic interludes, the original Genesis Flashback was advertised as a CD game in a cartridge — while the Sega CD Flashback version has so many access delays (and improves so marginally on the original) that you'll wonder which format was being complimented. B