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Star Wars: Dark Forces

The Dark Forces series is one of the few licensed franchises that manages to be innovative within its genre while remaining faithful to its source material. Though its flaws stand out more than ever, so do its strengths.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
optimization, replayability
88% User Score Based on 2,204 reviews
Critic Score 66%Based on 3 reviews

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Star Wars: Dark Forces Game Cover

About

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a single player role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by LucasArts and was released on May 20, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

In Star Wars: Dark Forces, Kyle Katarn, a former Imperial Stormtrooper, joins the Rebel Alliance to infiltrate the Empire and sabotage their operations. With a focus on realism, the game features levels designed after Star Wars locations and offers mission briefings and objectives. Players engage in blaster combat and solve puzzles to advance the storyline, which unfolds between cutscenes.

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Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
Star Wars: Dark Forces screenshot
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88%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,204 reviews
story210 positive mentions
optimization8 negative mentions
  • Engaging story that expands the Star Wars universe, featuring iconic characters and settings.
  • Innovative level design with verticality and exploration, offering a mix of combat and puzzle-solving.
  • Nostalgic charm with memorable MIDI soundtrack and sound effects that capture the essence of Star Wars.
  • Dated graphics and clunky controls, particularly the inability to aim vertically with the mouse.
  • Frustrating level design with labyrinthine layouts that can lead to confusion and aimless wandering.
  • Lack of modern quality-of-life features such as save points during missions, relying instead on a limited lives system.
  • story
    730 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Star Wars: Dark Forces* follows Kyle Katarn, a mercenary working for the Rebel Alliance, as he embarks on missions to steal the Death Star plans and thwart the Empire's dark trooper project. While the narrative is straightforward and has been rendered non-canonical by Disney, it is well-crafted for its time, featuring engaging cutscenes and mission briefings that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the depth it adds to the Star Wars universe, despite some frustrations with level design and navigation.

    • “The story adds depth to the Star Wars universe by diving into military operations and covert missions, giving a gritty, boots-on-the-ground perspective not often seen in the movies.”
    • “An epic storyline, combined with memorable characters and impressive level design makes this game a must-have for any Star Wars fan, or those looking for a sense of nostalgia about how far gaming has come.”
    • “The game's story is engaging, with mission-based objectives that feel purposeful rather than repetitive, and it effectively fills in some of the narrative gaps left by the movies.”
    • “The story is competent, but the locations are bizarre, nightmarish labyrinthine mazes.”
    • “This is a 'where the fuck do you go' kind of game, in the sense that you never know where you are or where you are going, you are just given some blanket 'objectives' and then you just almost aimlessly, almost blindly, attempt to navigate the level until you stumble upon whatever the game expects you to press 'e' on.”
    • “The story is very basic but competently written, so that's nice.”
  • graphics
    403 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Dark Forces" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting the limitations of 1995 technology, with many players noting their pixelated and blurry quality on modern displays. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design, others find the visuals challenging, often leading to difficulty in gameplay due to unclear objects and environments. However, various mods, such as the DarkXL engine, can enhance the graphics and controls, making the experience more enjoyable for those willing to tweak their settings.

    • “For a 1995 game, the visuals are impressive, with 3D environments and dynamic lighting effects that were groundbreaking for the time.”
    • “The graphics were top notch at the time of release (1995) with smooth animation and distinct sprites and textures.”
    • “The graphics, while actually quite impressive all things considered, make the game difficult to play.”
    • “The graphics are terrible but nostalgic, and the gameplay is quite fun.”
    • “The graphics are so outdated that it hurts my eyes to play this game.”
    • “The graphics, while better than other 3D 90's computer games, don't quite hold up today.”
  • gameplay
    297 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Dark Forces" is often described as a nostalgic blend of classic first-person shooter mechanics reminiscent of "Doom," featuring fast-paced action, a variety of weapons, and engaging level design. While some players appreciate its innovative storytelling and immersive environments, many note that the mechanics and graphics have aged poorly, leading to a mixed reception; some find it enjoyable for its retro charm, while others criticize its repetitiveness and outdated design. Overall, it remains a significant title for fans of the genre, particularly those with a fondness for the Star Wars universe.

    • “First released in 1995, the game was not only an ambitious attempt to bring the galaxy far, far away into the FPS genre, but also a bold effort to push the boundaries of what these types of games could do mechanically and narratively.”
    • “The game’s focus on storytelling, exploration, and immersive world-building helped set it apart from its contemporaries, and its blend of action and tactical gameplay still holds considerable appeal for those willing to embrace its old-school sensibilities.”
    • “Overall, the game's numerous mechanical improvements and technological advancements make it a natural successor to Doom 2, adding variety to the Doom gameplay formula.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay itself hasn’t stood the test of time, and for me it doesn’t hold up beyond a nostalgic playthrough.”
    • “The graphics are bad, the gameplay is bad, the design is full of confusing monotone corridors.”
    • “The game is old and the graphics and gameplay mechanics show it.”
  • music
    172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is a nostalgic blend of MIDI renditions of John Williams' iconic Star Wars score, which, while charming and immersive, can feel repetitive and tinny over time. Many players appreciate the dynamic nature of the soundtrack, which adapts to in-game events, enhancing the overall atmosphere. However, some critics find the MIDI format grating and suggest that it detracts from the experience, highlighting a divide in player preferences regarding the audio quality.

    • “The sound design has aged far better—blaster fire, stormtrooper voice lines, and music inspired by John Williams' score all contribute to a deeply immersive Star Wars atmosphere.”
    • “The game's level design and atmospheric music capture the essence of Star Wars perfectly.”
    • “The music features remixes of well-known Star Wars tunes along with new music.”
    • “The soundtrack is god awful, I hate midi and I can't stand John Williams after hearing that same soundtrack in every single licensed Star Wars game under the sun.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game’s midi soundtrack sounds awfully tinny and gives the wrong first impression upon loading the game up, and is crying out for an authentic mp3 soundtrack.”
    • “The only complaints I have are the music and that levels have no saves so more complex levels can be a pain at times if you mess up.”
  • atmosphere
    59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Star Wars: Dark Forces" is widely praised for its immersive sound design, engaging level aesthetics, and faithful representation of the Star Wars universe. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke nostalgia while delivering a dark, moody ambiance that enhances gameplay, despite its dated graphics. Overall, the combination of atmospheric music, detailed environments, and iconic sound effects creates a memorable experience that resonates with fans of the franchise.

    • “The sound design has aged far better—blaster fire, stormtrooper voice lines, and music inspired by John Williams' score all contribute to a deeply immersive Star Wars atmosphere.”
    • “From the sound effects heard in the movies, to the MIDI versions of John Williams' soundtrack pieces, to the ghostly blue-white lighting in imperial complexes and the quirky space western vibes of alien planets, every moment is saturated in Star Wars atmosphere that sells the game world to you.”
    • “The combination of detailed, immersive levels, many kinds of alien foes, and an overall dark and moody atmosphere makes Dark Forces an intense and thrilling experience that often sits between fully action-packed FPSes and more horror-focused titles.”
    • “The combination of detailed, immersive levels, many kinds of alien foes, and an overall dark and moody atmosphere makes Dark Forces an intense and thrilling experience that often sits between fully action-packed FPSs and more horror-focused titles.”
    • “However, to its credit, Dark Forces paces itself as it gradually builds in enigmatic atmosphere, difficulty, and anticipation of the ever-looming dark troopers.”
    • “Though the graphics are way out of date, the atmosphere is just out of this galaxy.”
  • optimization
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting poor performance out-of-the-box, requiring extensive tweaks and configuration adjustments to achieve playable frame rates. While some fan-made mods and guides can enhance the experience, users still encounter issues like stuttering, input lag, and graphical glitches, making it a challenge to enjoy without significant effort. Overall, while the game can be made to run better with modifications, it remains poorly optimized for modern systems.

    • “While the original game runs well on DOSBox, there are fan-made mods and ports that modernize the experience, offering higher resolutions, better controls, and smoother performance on modern PCs.”
    • “I highly recommend following some of the guides out there to edit your DOSBox config file to improve performance!”
    • “Just by adjusting the DOSBox a little bit, the look and performance are great!”
    • “Most people will not be able to run this game well out-of-the-box; look up an optimization guide and reconfigure the default configuration file to not be horrible.”
    • “Upon trying it out, I noticed that it was buggy, would make cutscenes disappear, had minimal optimization features that you would want in a source port for a game like this, and was overall not an enjoyable experience.”
    • “Upon launching the game, you will experience terrible performance issues (especially when there are multiple enemies on screen).”
  • replayability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players praising its satisfying shooting mechanics and exploration rewards, while others criticize its limited content and lack of multiplayer options. Mods can enhance the experience, but the absence of achievements and multiple endings contributes to a perception of low replay value for many. Despite these drawbacks, some still find enough enjoyment to warrant multiple playthroughs.

    • “Decent replay value to boot, just an all-round classic shooter with a lot of polish and shine for its time.”
    • “This, its sequel Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, and X-Wing Alliance are the best of the best when it comes to the gaming catalog from the company, and only a few modern games have come close to equaling them in terms of enjoyment, replayability, and (admittedly subjective) 'cool factor'.”
    • “Decent amount of content for a game this old and a ton of replayability because the shooting is just so damn satisfying and there are a lot of secrets to find.”
    • “Without multiplayer, there is little replayability.”
    • “The game is super short with less than a dozen missions, and lack of replayability makes it all the shorter.”
    • “While the replay value is very low as there are a set number of missions with no achievements or multiple endings, you will get your $2 back and more.”
  • stability
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; while some users report smooth performance and successful runs on modern systems, others highlight persistent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as locking doors or disappearing cutscenes. The use of mods like the force engine and darkxl can improve stability but may also introduce new issues, leading to a somewhat inconsistent experience.

    • “It runs great.”
    • “Loads with no problems, runs great.”
    • “No glitches or problems when installed on a Windows 7 machine.”
    • “Some glitches and bugs that aren't game breaking, but you should be aware of because it will cause you to repeat levels unnecessarily (e.g., clicking buttons repeatedly in fast succession will lock doors permanently).”
    • “It's a buggy, unfinished mess.”
    • “Upon trying it out, I noticed that it was buggy, would make cutscenes disappear, had minimal optimization features that you would want in a source port for a game like this, and was overall not an enjoyable experience.”
  • grinding
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring extensive backtracking and navigation through lengthy levels. While some enjoy the complexity and nostalgia of the gameplay, many find certain puzzles and level designs to be frustratingly obtuse, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the experience can feel like it demands a significant time investment, which may deter some players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Interesting story, but gameplay can become boring and tedious.”
    • “Adding to that, certain sections require backtracking, which can be quite tedious.”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the blocky graphics and absurd scenarios, such as blasting stormtroopers and the iconic howie scream, particularly amusing. Many reviewers highlight the game's comedic elements, including funny music and clever easter eggs, making it a memorable experience despite its outdated visuals. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, earning it a favorable reception among fans.

    • “And let's be honest, the blocky graphics make it all the more hilarious when you blast a stormtrooper into oblivion.”
    • “The game also includes the hilarious Howie scream whenever you fall off a cliff, which makes it an instant must-have for me.”
    • “Until you realize you have to punch the thing to death, and I nearly died from laughing.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting how it immerses them in the Star Wars universe and evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and joy. The experience of rediscovering the game on Steam was particularly moving for one player, who described it as a significant and touching moment in their gaming journey.

    • “This is really the first game that made me feel like I was actually in the universe of Star Wars.”
    • “I cried of joy when I first saw this on Steam.”
    • “Finding it on Steam and having it run on Windows 10 was very touching.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is minimal, particularly for Kyle Katarn, who is primarily portrayed as a bad-ass mercenary. While some players feel this lack of depth detracts from the overall experience, others appreciate the storytelling approach that conveys his personality and transformation through visual details and sparse dialogue rather than traditional narrative growth.

    • “It’s an approach to storytelling and character development that tells more about his character through the minimal dialogues full of his personality and visual details that show his transformation, rather than incorporating his growth through gameplay or the narrative itself.”
    • “The character development left a lot to be desired; however, the story was just okay.”
    • “It's an approach to storytelling and character development that tells more about his character through the minimal dialogues full of his personality and visual details that show his transformation, rather than incorporating his growth through gameplay or the narrative itself.”
    • “Whilst the character of Kyle Katarn does not get much character development (for now) other than a bad-ass mercenary, it does not matter too much for this game, which is an authentic and essential Star Wars experience.”
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66%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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6h Median play time
6h Average play time
9h Main story
15h Completionist
2-9h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
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Star Wars: Dark Forces Released in 1995 Today

February 17 on azurewebsites.net
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Star Wars: Dark Forces is a role playing shooter game with science fiction theme.

Star Wars: Dark Forces is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 9 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 15 hours to finish. On average players spend around 6 hours playing Star Wars: Dark Forces.

Star Wars: Dark Forces was released on May 20, 2022.

Star Wars: Dark Forces was developed by LucasArts.

Star Wars: Dark Forces has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a single player game.

Similar games include Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Wolfenstein 3D, Wolfenstein 3D and others.