Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Review: A Tribute to Classic Gaming

Star Wars: Dark Forces

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a cool video game made by LucasArts. It came out in 1995 on computers like MS-DOS and Mac, and later on PlayStation in 1996. The story takes place in the Star Wars universe, but before the main movies. You play as Kyle Katarn, a man working for the good guy Rebel Alliance. He discovers a secret project of the bad guy Galactic Empire. This project is about creating very tough robots and super strong soldiers called Stormtroopers.

The game used a special game engine called Jedi, which made it different from other shooters at the time. It allowed you to do things like move up and down through levels, which was new and cool at the time. Most people who reviewed the game when it was released loved it, especially on PC.

They thought the levels were well made and liked the way the game worked. The PlayStation version wasn’t as good, however, as it had worse graphics and was slower. Still, a lot of people bought the game, and by 1999, nearly 1 million people had bought it in the United States alone! The game did so well that it spawned more games in the series, such as the sequel Dark Forces II.

Now, a company called Nightdive Studios is working to make the game look and play better on new systems. They released an updated version on February 28, 2024, so now you can enjoy the old-school fun on your computer, PlayStation, Xbox, and even Nintendo Switch.

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remastered Review

Nightdive Studios’ remastered Star Wars: Dark Forces relaunches the classic game in a brand new package. Available on a variety of platforms including PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and older consoles, this updated version is worth checking out for fans old and new. Originally released in 1995, Dark Forces was ahead of its time, blending first-person shooting with the beloved Star Wars universe. Now, with updated and improved graphics, the experience is even more fun.

One of the great features of Dark Forces is the engaging storytelling. Rather than just shooting everything in sight, the game introduces fully voiced cutscenes that add depth to the story. You are not aimlessly attacking enemies, but are on a mission with real goals and motivations.

The remaster brings these cutscenes to life with new high-resolution assets and improved weapon sprites and world textures. It’s a visual feast while retaining the original pixel art style that fans love. Whether you play with a controller or aim with the gyroscope on Switch and PlayStation, controls are smooth and responsive on all platforms. Plus, you can switch between enhanced visuals and the original low-resolution graphics to relive the days of old.

Although there are some minor issues with music playback and performance on some consoles, they don’t affect the overall experience too much. This game still captures the essence of Dark Forces. Overall, the remake of Star Wars: Dark Forces is an excellent tribute to the classic game. Whether you are a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer, it is worth going deep into the galaxy far, far away and experience the excitement of fighting against the Imperial army in a first-person shooter.

Star Wars: Dark Forces gameplay

In Star Wars: Dark Forces, gameplay revolves around Kyle Katarn, completing a series of missions in the vast Star Wars universe. As a first-person shooter, you can experience the action directly through Kyle’s eyes, rushing through various enemies and obstacles along the way.

Each mission is like a chapter in a grand adventure story. Players need to complete specific tasks that are closely related to the overall plot of the game. From infiltrating enemy bases to rescuing hostages, each mission will bring new challenges and objectives.

What makes Dark Forces stand out is its blend of shooter, puzzle, and exploration elements. Sure, you’ll be attacking stormtroopers and alien creatures with blasters and grenades, but you’ll also need to use your brain to solve environmental puzzles and get around tricky obstacles.

The game introduced groundbreaking features for the time, such as looking up and down, leaning over, and jumping. These features may seem basic now, but at the time, they added a whole new level of immersion to the game. Throughout your journey, you’ll come across power-ups that increase your health, shields, and ammo resupply. There are also handy gadgets, such as headlights to illuminate dark areas or crampons for slippery surfaces. These items can be lifesavers in tough situations.

Combat is a big part of Dark Force, and you’ll have an array of weapons at your disposal, from blasters to explosives. Each weapon has a primary and secondary mode, allowing you to deal with your enemies in different ways. You’ll need to manage your ammunition carefully and make strategic choices about which weapon to use depending on the situation.

But it’s not all combat. Dark Forces introduces plenty of platforming challenges, such as leaping across gaps and traversing treacherous terrain. In addition, there are complex puzzles to solve, adding depth and variety to the game. Overall, Star Wars: Dark Forces offers an exciting and immersive gaming experience that blends action-packed shooting with puzzling puzzles and exploration in the iconic Star Wars universe.

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Star Wars: Dark Forces Plot

Dark Forces follows the journey of Kyle Katarn, a once hopeful farmer who enrolls at the Imperial Academy after the death of his parents, blaming the Rebellion for their deaths. However, when he discovers the Empire’s true role in his parents’ fate, his beliefs shift, leading him to ally with the Rebel Alliance.

Assigned by the rebels, Kyle embarks on a mission to retrieve the Death Star blueprints to help overthrow the Death Star. Later, he discovers the Empire’s evil Dark Trooper program, led by General Rom Mork. Kyle travels to different planets, disrupting the Empire’s actions, rescuing key allies such as Crixus Martin, and thwarting dark conspiracies.

Kyle faced many challenges, such as dealing with the influence of Jabba the Hutt and evading Boba Fett, but he persisted in his mission. After infiltrating Coruscant’s computer vault, he discovered important intelligence about the Dark Troopers’ planned smuggling routes. Disguised as a smuggler, Kyle infiltrated the Executor and the Arc Hammer, Mork’s strongholds and the final stages of the plan. In a fierce battle, he defeated Mork and destroyed the Arc Hammer, dealing a major blow to the Empire’s plans. Darth Vader recognized Kyle’s power of the Force as he escaped, and the Alliance awarded him the Star of Alderaan for his bravery.

Throughout his journey, Kyle’s transformation from a disillusioned Imperial soldier to a hero fighting for justice is palpable. His determination to stand up to the injustices of the Empire and fight for what is right makes him a symbol of hope in the galaxy’s struggle against oppression.

Star Wars: Dark Forces trailer

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