Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster

Nightdive has put considerable effort into making Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster a smooth and playable experience. With enhanced visuals and more, Dark Forces' level design and gunplay from 1995 holds up surprisingly well.

91%Game Brain Score

graphics, story

stability, atmosphere

91% User Score Based on 852 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

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About

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is a first-person shooter game, now updated by Nightdive Studios with high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting, and modern device compatibility. Originally released in 1995, players control Kyle Katarn, a mercenary for hire who uncovers the Galactic Empire's Dark Trooper Project while working with the Rebel Alliance. Experience the engaging environments and various items from the original game in a remastered format.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster screenshot

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 852 reviews

graphics52 positive mentions

stability13 negative mentions

Excellent remaster that enhances the visuals while preserving the original gameplay experience.
Nostalgic trip for fans of the original game, with improved controls and smoother gameplay.
Includes bonus content such as a playable demo level and concept art, adding value for longtime fans.

Price is considered steep for a remaster of a 30-year-old game, leading many to suggest waiting for a sale.
Some frustrating level design and puzzles can lead to confusion and getting lost.
Lack of a save feature during missions can be frustrating, requiring players to complete levels in one sitting.

graphics
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
67%
2%
The remastered version of the game features significantly enhanced graphics, offering a crisp and modernized visual experience while retaining the original art style and nostalgic charm. Players appreciate the ability to toggle between the remastered and classic graphics, highlighting the improvements in cutscenes and overall visual clarity. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are polished, they do not represent a complete overhaul, and the remaster could have included more substantial updates or features to justify its price.
- “The remaster improves upon the [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/32400/star_wars_dark_forces_classic_1995/]Star Wars™ Dark Forces (Classic, 1995)[/url] in several ways: right from the start, it offers enhanced visuals, smoother gameplay, and upgraded cutscenes & sound design.”
- “The graphics and sprites got a nice overhaul, being a lot smoother and cleaner.”
- “The remastered visuals look great compared to the original version, though it still keeps the early 90s 2D sprites on your guns and enemies just shinier looking.”
- “There's been little work to the graphics in general; it looks as if all they did was AI upscale the textures and call it a day.”
- “The 'remaster' promises and delivers better graphics and a much better (60fps+) framerate, but visually it's essentially going from maybe PlayStation to PS2, a nice improvement but far from perfect.”
- “I feel like for $30, it needed to do something more different, something that isn't already done by the source port, like maybe completely remastering the game to have a low-poly look like DF2 or a full-on modern graphical overhaul with RTX, or it being bundled with a remastered DF2/MOTS, or something, I don't know, it just needed something more.”
story
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
80%
2%
The story of "Dark Forces" follows Kyle Katarn, a mercenary working for the Rebel Alliance, as he embarks on a mission to dismantle the Empire's dark trooper project and retrieve the Death Star plans. While the narrative is generally considered simple and somewhat unremarkable, it is enhanced by engaging mission objectives, character interactions, and nostalgic connections to the broader Star Wars universe, making it a fun experience for fans. The game features a mix of cutscenes and mission briefings that provide context, although some players find the pacing and level design frustrating at times.
- “The story follows Kyle Katarn, a mercenary working for the Rebel Alliance in their fight against the Empire.”
- “Overall, the storytelling feels way ahead of its time and it does a great job telling a Star Wars story that feels connected to the original films, featuring some cameos (Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Mon Mothma, General Madine) that I quite enjoyed.”
- “Plenty of shooters at the time had you running and gunning against a 1-2 sentence backdrop of a story, but Dark Forces was one of the first to have an ongoing story throughout the game - with voiced dialogue, character development, in-game conversations, cutscenes, and mission objectives.”
- “The story is serviceable but unremarkable.”
- “Seeing some of the Star Wars characters and expanded narrative of the Death Star plans isn't as interesting 30 years later and after a constant influx of Star Wars content and reboots over that time, and even if it were, there isn't much here narratively except for Boba Fett showing up to be an embarrassment, Jabba trying to kill you, and Vader commenting on events between some missions.”
- “Story is barely there, you just shoot people.”
music
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
73%
7%
The music in the game retains its classic MIDI style, which some players appreciate for its nostalgic value, while others criticize it for being repetitive and suffering from timing issues. Although there have been minor improvements and options for soundfonts, many reviewers feel that the music does not live up to modern standards and could have benefited from a more thorough remastering. Overall, while the iconic Star Wars themes are present, the execution leaves room for improvement, impacting the overall experience for some players.
- “The music is especially memorable, showcasing the iconic Star Wars melodies that we all know and love.”
- “Great music, great atmosphere, fun missions, solid gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack, the enemies speaking when spotting you, or even the way the blasters sound; everything puts you in the universe immediately.”
- “The soundtrack, although slightly improved, is still just a set of MIDI files using an updated soundfont.”
- “The music is still MIDI (albeit using a wavetable soft-synth rather than pumped through a SoundBlaster's frequency modulator).”
- “The music is what you expect from a Star Wars game, but given the age, they could have used CD audio quality instead of the small selection of MIDIs that will get old fast.”
gameplay
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
5%
The gameplay of the remastered "Star Wars: Dark Forces" retains the classic mechanics of the original while benefiting from enhanced visuals and smoother controls, making it feel more modern. Players can expect straightforward, fast-paced shooting reminiscent of old-school FPS titles, though some outdated mechanics and navigation challenges may detract from the experience for newcomers. Overall, the remaster successfully combines nostalgia with improved gameplay elements, appealing to both longtime fans and new players.
- “Smooth, fast gameplay and graphics surprisingly pop.”
- “The gameplay feels smooth, and the controller support is great.”
- “Great music, great atmosphere, fun missions, solid gameplay.”
- “The game's outdated mechanics and average gameplay make it a less appealing option compared to other retro shooters.”
- “Combined with the repetitive gameplay, it’s hard to recommend the game to someone who isn’t already nostalgic for it.”
- “Everything is low quality from the voice acting to the cutscenes and gameplay loop.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
72%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and choppy performance that can disrupt gameplay, such as stuck lifts and disappearing enemies. While some users noted improvements in movement and overall performance, they still encountered various visual and functional issues, particularly in the remastered version. Overall, while the game runs well for some, the persistent bugs and glitches detract from the experience for many players.
- “The movement feels smoother and the game runs great.”
- “The controls are responsive, the game runs great, and I had a lot of fun.”
- “It looks great, it runs great, and I can't really ask for much more.”
- “The big problem is that the maze factor is not only annoying, it's also buggy with some levels actually being able to be bugged by completing an objective then going the wrong way, causing lifts and doors to get stuck, forcing you to restart the entire level from scratch. Many notorious bugs exist and have always existed, so new players to the game will absolutely run into these.”
- “Sadly, I ran into these issues within the first hour: the ship never arrived at the roof of the first mission (yes, I got the plans), some bindings don't immediately apply, random crouching, visual glitches give away secrets, and I couldn't find a way to look up and down from the keyboard.”
- “There are some odd art glitches; I had a line of pixels that did not line up properly, causing stormtroopers to keep disappearing into and then reappearing from it.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
The optimization of the remastered version has received mixed feedback; while it runs smoothly on modern hardware with upgraded textures and improved controls, some users report persistent bugs from the original game and occasional performance stuttering, particularly in later levels. Many recommend the classic version combined with the free Force Engine for a superior experience, citing better user-friendliness and mod support despite the remaster's visual enhancements. Overall, the price-to-performance ratio has been criticized, with some players feeling the remaster does not justify its cost.
- “It runs smoothly on modern hardware, textures have been upgraded, and cutscenes have been redone.”
- “That is to say, it looks very pretty, with lovingly fine-tuned modern controls, beautifully up-rez'd sprites and texture work, smooth and responsive performance, and greatly improved cutscenes.”
- “Love all of the optimizations that went into this, it was an easy buy.”
- “Having played the original when it first came out in '95 and also playing the Force Engine version, which is free to download and fixes all the bugs the original had, my conclusion is that the Dark Forces remaster is exactly that: 1995 Dark Forces with a new paint job and optimized for modern computers, yet still has all the bugs that the original did. Personally, I recommend buying the classic version and downloading the Force Engine. While it may not be as 'pretty' as the remastered version, it is the superior version. Plus, TFE is much more user-friendly and very simple to play fan mods from sites like DF21. So, yes, classic version on Steam for $6 plus a free download of TFE that improves the game in every way over the original, graphics included, just not as 'polished' as the remaster. As I said before, or $30 (when it's not on sale) for basically a rusty old car that has had a brand new paint job (even though you can still see rust). But for some reason, it has a Bluetooth player instead of an 8-track player. So no, sadly, as much as this game has been part of my life since '95, I simply cannot recommend the remastered version, especially at the price it is at. Drop it to $10 or something, and maybe I would recommend it, but not $30.”
- “I love ND and think they do great work; however, given the readily available alternative, some technical stuttering, and lack of mid-mission checkpointing, $29.99 isn't acceptable.”
- “I still requested a refund for the game because I wasn't completely satisfied with the price/performance ratio.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its authentic capture of the classic Star Wars vibe, effectively immersing players in the universe through great music, solid level design, and a strong connection to the original trilogy's lore. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke nostalgia while providing a fun and engaging experience, making it appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. Overall, the atmosphere is described as fantastic, eerie, and integral to the gameplay experience.
- “These, however, are some minor flaws in an otherwise fantastic shooter that oozes classic Star Wars atmosphere, and comes highly recommended.”
- “I love the atmosphere it provides for being in the Star Wars universe without having any Force powers.”
- “Great vibes and setting, fantastic and eerie atmosphere and ambiance, good cast and story (for what it is), solid gameplay and level design.”
- “You can feel the atmosphere from the original trilogy.”
- “This game really captures the atmosphere of the original Star Wars films too.”
- “The game also relied heavily on fitting into the lore and atmosphere of Star Wars and became an important part of the expanded universe.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Overall, the replayability of the game is considered low, with many reviewers noting that despite its smooth remake and enhanced visuals, the core experience remains largely unchanged. While the addition of achievements and modern features may appeal to some players, they do not significantly extend the game's longevity, leading to a quick completion and minimal incentive for repeated playthroughs.
- “Is it a fantastic, smooth remake with fun bonuses for a game that's pretty replayable, with lovingly remade sprites and visuals and a ton of features to make your playthrough as old or new school as you want?”
- “For any Star Wars fans or anyone nostalgic for the original, this is an excellent remaster which makes the game infinitely more playable on modern hardware.”
- “I don't think some people understand how powerful achievements can be for replayability and encouraging the player to explore and find new areas in a game made 30 years ago.”
- “There's just not a lot of replay value here.”
- “After 4-5 hours you get all the 29 achievements after beating the game and there really isn't much replay value (minus the vault artwork).”
- “The achievements feel lazy; you get them just playing the game normally and even hard mode was pretty easy, so there isn't any replay value.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the remastered game, highlighting how it evokes nostalgia from their childhood experiences. The careful enhancements made to the original game allow for a modern play experience while preserving its core essence, leading to a heartwarming sense of recognition and fond memories as players engage with the updated version. Overall, the remaster successfully rekindles strong feelings of nostalgia, gradually intensifying as players progress through the game.
- “Seeing this kind of official treatment and widespread recognition thereof is simply heartwarming.”
- “I spent many years as a kid playing this game non-stop, and I will definitely say that buying this version will slowly start touching your really hard nostalgia.”
- “From there, the game will start touching your nostalgia, nice and slow at first, but then harder and faster as your gameplay grows deeper.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, especially given the availability of superior alternatives at lower or no cost. Reviewers feel that the pricing, particularly for the remaster, is unjustified due to a lack of features like crossplay and insufficient content for the cost.
- “This is the ultimate cash grab when you can get dozens of games in this genre that do it way better for much less, if not free.”
- “Just like the upcoming Battlefront collection remaster, which is a nasty cash grab on the part of the company, as they don't offer enough scope for the price of €40 and don't even have crossplay. I thought the price for this remaster was too high.”
- “At first, it may just seem like a cash grab Star Wars title from back in the day, but this game took leaps ahead of its influences in both level/puzzle design.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in relation to certain corridor maze puzzles that disrupt the overall enjoyment. While most levels are straightforward, the more complex puzzles can feel laborious and detract from the fun.
- “Overall, still a really fun game if you exclude the tedious corridor maze puzzles.”
- “Most of the levels are pretty straightforward, but some have very tedious puzzles.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
300%
"Dark Forces" stands out for its innovative approach to character development, featuring an ongoing narrative that includes voiced dialogue, in-game conversations, and cutscenes, which enrich the gameplay experience beyond the typical backdrop found in contemporary shooters.
- “Plenty of shooters at the time had you running and gunning against a 1-2 sentence backdrop of a story, but Dark Forces was one of the first to have an ongoing story throughout the game - with voiced dialogue, character development, in-game conversations, cutscenes, and mission objectives.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
- “I expected more depth from the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and forgettable.”
- “Despite the attempts at storytelling, the character arcs are predictable and lack meaningful growth.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it amusing and entertaining overall.
- “Still pretty funny, though.”