Nearly thirty years have passed since “Star Wars Dark Forces” saw release on PC in 1995. Apart from a lone console port on the original PlayStation, the game hasn’t seen much release since the original version on Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System). Now, the game has seen a new release across all modern PCs and consoles, fittingly called “Star Wars Dark Forces Remaster.”
The story takes place between the events of “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” After discovering the plans for the Death Star, mercenary turned Rebel Alliance soy Kyle Katarn is tasked with finding information on a new army of Stormtroopers being designed by the Empire.
Developers Nightdive Studios have done an incredible job of remastering the game for modern platforms while also remaining faithful to the presentation of the original release. The studio’s in-house KEX Engine displays significant upgrades to the graphical resolution and frame rate; and even includes the option of the original visuals from the DOS release.
The gameplay bears similarities to earlier first-person-shooter titles such as the initial installments of “Doom” and “Turok” (both games that Nightdive remastered). While it may recall a time that predates the FPS term being widely known (with similar games often being called “Doom clones” at the time), the way you progress through each stage is completely different. Though blasting your way through Imperial soldiers is indeed satisfying, the shooting is balanced with a variety of objectives to complete and puzzles to solve before exiting each stage. The game even inspired a handful of sequels across multiple platforms after its initial release, with Kyle Katarn becoming a fan favorite character.
Whether or not you played the original game or are experiencing it for the first time, “Star Wars Dark Forces Remaster” gives a highly-recommended galactic glow-up to a beloved FPS classic.