The year is 2142. The player takes control of Conrad B. Hart, a man who has lost his memory. After barely escaping from hostile aliens, Conrad's bike crashes on an unknown planet. Conrad finds himself in the jungle, and from that moment on his quest for survival and his lost identity begins.
Flashback: The Quest for Identity is a game that combines elements of platforming, shooting, and problem-solving. The game follows a design philosophy similar to Prince of Persia, with a focus on large levels and exploration. Compared to other games in this style, Flashback focuses more on platforming and running.
The gameplay is mostly about running, jumping, and shooting enemies, but there's also an element of exploration as the player navigates Conrad through various structures. The player can perform different moves, such as jumping, climbing, and picking up objects. To defend himself, Conrad can use his gun and other objects to harm enemies.
The game requires the player to crouch and roll during combat, as shields are depleted when hit and can be recharged at special stations. Most environments are hostile, but some areas have fewer enemies and require the player to interact with characters, gather information, and complete tasks in an adventure-like fashion.
Most versions of Flashback use cutscenes with polygonal graphics, while CD versions feature pre-rendered 3D animations. The Sega CD version also includes voice-overs.