Ubisoft has announced Flashback, an HD re-imagination of the classic 1992 side-scroller due for release on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network this summer.

Five of the original game's creators are back on board for the modern update, which is being totally rebuilt using Unreal Engine 3 and retells the story of Conrad, an agent attempting to prevent an extra-terrestrial invasion.

According to developer Vector Cell (which developed last year's abysmal survival horror Amy), the remake "remain(s) faithful to the spirit of the original game," but has been designed to "take full advantage of the computing power of today's machines".

"The story is true to the original scenario, and all the characters and their enemies from the first game are all back," explains the developer. "It has been beefed up and modernized though. Some characters that were sort of in the background in the first version were developed and have taken on more importance. We also went back and took a longer look at some of the blurry spots in the first Flashback and the fans will hopefully discover certain aspects of the world that might have been overlooked."

VectorCell also claims that the gameplay has been made "more reactive and dynamic", with a new experience and upgrade system set to be introduced in the remake. Accessibility has also been "brought up to current standards", Vector Cell says, commenting on the original game's level design as being "rather punishing through today's lenses".

"All in all, though, we're extremely happy with the result," VectorCell says. "We feel we were able to keep Flashback's soul and put it into a new body."

A price or exact release date for the game has yet to be announced.

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Source: Ubisoft Flashback press release/Q&A