Flashback (REminiscence)

Flashback ported to the Atari ST via REminiscence, by Neil Rackett.

Introduction

Of all the games that never had an official release on the Atari ST, one of the ones I was most disappointed about was Flashback (Delphine Software, 1992).

Using STDL and the Amiga data files, I've ported REminiscence, Gregory Montoir's re-implementation of the original game engine, to the Atari ST.

So, just three decades after the original was released... say hello to Flashback for the Atari ST.

Work in progress

Everything now works end-to-end, but please let me know if anything isn't quite right.

• In-game speed is paced the same on all STs and runs at the max 30fps on in most scenes.
• Screen option let you choose how Flashback's original 224 pixel height is rendered: Fit (default), Fill, Overscan Top or Overscan Full (overscan is experimental)
• Cut scenes all work, getting close to original speed.
• Colours now look incredible: a massive thank you to everyone who helped out, enabling me to build the new perceptive palette generator.
• Music now uses the original ProTracker MODs on STE, with YM versions for regular STs.
• Config options for all of these and more are in RS.CFG and most are on the Options menu.

I can't offer technical support, but you're welcome to submit feedback or a PR.

For more information about all of this and more, see README.md.

Requirements

• Needs at least 2.5MB RAM (4MB recommended)
• 3MB of hard disk space.
• Original sound effects on STE, YM effects added for regular ST.
• ProTracker MOD music on STE, YM music added for regular ST.

If you have <=2MB ST RAM plus Alt-RAM, add blitter=false in RS.CFG.

Installing

Flashback is still copyright Delphine Software, so you'll need to extract the files needed from your legally owned original Amiga installation disks.

1. Copy FLASHBAK.TOS (and optionally RS.CFG) to your ST's hard disk.
2. Extract the data files from your Amiga installation disks using the RExtract online tool.
3. Copy the DATA and MUSIC folders into the same folder as FLASHBAK.TOS.
4. Run FLASHBAK.TOS.

If you would prefer to extract the data manually, see README.md.

Controls

You can control Conrad with the keyboard, a joystick in port 1, or a gamepad:

Key	Joystick	Gamepad	Action
Arrow keys	Directions	D-pad / left stick	move Conrad
Shift	Fire	A	talk / use / run / shoot
Enter		B, right shoulder	use the current inventory object
Backspace / Tab		Y, Select, left shoulder	display inventory
Space		X	toggle the gun on / off
Escape		Start	display options
Any key	Fire	Any button	skip the current cutscene
Ctrl S / Ctrl L			save / load game state
Ctrl + / Ctrl -			change game state slot
Ctrl Q			quit

Gamepads are supported via Xpad providers, including MD/Sidepad.

Sharing

Please don't hesitate to share Flashback for Atari ST with anyone you think might like it by pointing them to neilrackett.com/atarist.

If you enjoy my apps and games, you can follow me at x.com/neilrackett and you're welcome to buy me a coffee ☕