Jagged Alliance: Flashback

After a relatively successful Kickstarter campaign, the reboot of the Jagged Alliance series, Jagged Alliance: Flashback finally has something to show for the long-time fans of the series and it’s worth checking it out. If it’s your first time playing the franchise you may actually find something appealing to your turn-based strategic games desires.

The reboot takes us back to a time of paranoia and the fear of mass destruction, The Cold War. During this time a certain tropical island was found in between two military superpowers and was subject to several interventions. This is where Flashback transport us to, the island of San Cristobal. This is where a group of Special Forces units are deployed to take down the enemy in the most efficient way possible.

Gameplay-wise, Flashback returns to the origins of the franchise and transforms the game into turn-based strategy. Although it doesn’t add anything new, the game is an actually nice exponent of the genre. The controls are smooth, easy and intuitive and the options in the screen are not overwhelming; on the contrary, they are quite simple and efficient. Flashback’s visuals aren’t spectacular but its illumination is fresh, the isometric view is smart and the colors are rather intense and cheerful. As cheerful as a black ops missions can be.

Like every Jagged Alliance in the past, Flashback’s story is still stellar. Although we weren’t able to play a full version, what we were exposed to was interesting and engaging. It’s a compelling story that, although has been told several times from different points of view, never ceases to be attractive.

One of the aspects that needs to be mentioned is the diorama view of the maps. Doing something as simple as removing the fourth wall and the rooftop of every building, the game gifts us a vision that reminds of other games like the original Fallout series. The maps and the insides of buildings are uncannily detailed, and that attention to detail is always welcome and appreciated.

Jagged Alliance: Flashback is worth the wait and makes a beautiful homage to the series itself. The game promises a nice experience, hours of amusing gameplay and a taste of what is already an engaging story. Full Control Games has crafted something really interesting and, without a doubt, it will be worth your time.

Sarwar Ron, NoobFeed
Twitter | +SarwarRon