The Quebec-based publisher Scorpion Masqué (Zombie Kidz Evolution, Zombie Teenz Evolution, Decrypto, Turing Machine) presents Flashback, their first game of investigation through images that has both immersive and evolving elements, playable without any electronic application. The minds behind this idea? A Franco-Quebecois duo of new designers who are well known in the gaming scene; Baptiste Derrez and Marc-Antoine Doyon, both content creators and lovers of investigation games.
The concept of Flashback is that you are travelling through a number of scenarios, each one filled to the brim with detailed visuals. The goal of the game? Crack the case by piecing together memories! To do this, jump from one character’s point of view to another, pick out the smallest details on cards to gather clues, discover actual, real-life gadgets, and solve mysteries that will be revealed during the story.
In Flashback: Zombie Kidz, families, or even just children will explore 3 memories through the eyes of the Kidz, zombies, animals, cameras, etc. But that’s not all; Flashback: Zombie Kidz is a huge story, replayable in a completely different way each time using gizmos hidden in the box that will enrich the overall gameplay experience. Understanding the past might allow you to change the future and thwart the zombies’ dastardly plan! Thanks to Scorpion Masqué’s experience publishing evolving games, the rulebook also has its share of surprises in store.
Christian Lemay, founder of Scorpion Masqué, shares how Flashback: Zombie Kidz came to be: “We had been dreaming about an investigation game for kids… And poof! As if by magic, Baptiste Derrez pitched us this genius idea of investigation through images. It was a perfect match for fans of Zombie Kidz, since it removed for the long reading passages that are so prevalent in this genre, all while adding new elements to the genre. Very few games immerse you like this one does. You are literally put in the characters’ shoes, seeing things from their point of view. Thanks to Marc-Antoine’s cinematography skills, you are really ‘inside’ the plot. It was a huge pleasure for us to dive into the school, its secrets, even the sewers, and continue developing this world we created 4 years ago… After 2 compatible adventures, Flashback: Zombie Kidz adds another dimension to the game by asking players to crack a case full of mysteries. It may be just a single universe, but now there are several ways to play.”
Flashback: Zombie Kidz is a game by Baptiste Derrez and Marc-Antoine Doyon published by Scorpion Masqué and distributed by Hachette Boardgames. It will be available for Christmas 2022 $29.99 USD and plays 1 to 4 players, ages 7 and up, with an average playtime of 30 minutes.
Where can you find Flashback: Zombie Kidz before its release?
• Essen Spiel, Germany, on October 6-9, in the Scorpion Masqué space of the Hachette Boardgames booth, Hall 3 – B111.
• BGG.Con, Dallas TX, on November 7-13, in the event’s free game library.
• PAX Unplugged, Philadelphia PA, on December 2-4, in the Scorpion Masqué space of the Hachette Boardgames booth (location TBA).
Images via Scorpion Masqué
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