Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,315 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • music
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Game Cover
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.
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,315 reviews
graphics86 positive mentions
stability19 negative mentions
  • Faithful remaster that retains the charm of the original while enhancing graphics and controls.
  • Great nostalgia factor for fans of the original game, with improved visuals and smoother gameplay.
  • Includes bonus content like concept art and a playable demo level, adding value to the experience.
  • Price is considered steep at $30, with many reviewers suggesting it should be lower.
  • Lack of a save feature during missions can lead to frustration, as players must complete levels in one go.
  • Some technical issues, such as music timing problems and occasional graphical glitches, detract from the overall experience.
  • graphics272 mentions

    The remastered version of Dark Forces has received praise for its significant graphical enhancements, which maintain the original aesthetic while providing a crisp and modern look. Players appreciate the ability to toggle between the updated and classic graphics, as well as the improved cutscenes that enhance the overall experience. However, some critics feel that while the visuals are impressive, they do not justify the remaster's price compared to free alternatives like the Force Engine, and a few wished for more substantial updates beyond graphical improvements.

    • “Some of the updates to the textures are subtle but very impressive, bringing out key details while keeping the same art style.”
    • “The graphics are lifted to look gorgeously crisp on my 4k monitor yet it retains the charm of the originals - and the uplift is so carefully done that it really doesn't change what the artists did in the original.”
    • “The remastered work goes above and beyond to enhance the graphics while keeping its retro vibes and art style.”
    • “Why is the remaster of a 90's shooter going for $30 with no new content compared to if you bought the original instead of the remaster? The new graphics aren't really worth the $23 price difference.”
    • “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.”
  • story205 mentions

    The story of "Star Wars: Dark Forces" centers on Kyle Katarn, a mercenary for the Rebel Alliance, as he battles the Empire and uncovers the threat of the dark troopers. While the narrative is relatively simple and primarily conveyed through mission briefings and cutscenes, it is praised for its engaging context and connections to the broader Star Wars lore, featuring familiar characters and settings. Despite some criticisms regarding mission structure and the lack of a save feature, many players appreciate the game's storytelling as a significant advancement for first-person shooters of its time.

    • “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.”
    • “Look, the story is quite simple in this one and a short one as well.”
    • “Story is barely there; you just shoot people.”
    • “Yes, I know you couldn't save during a mission in the original game either, but that was a very bad idea even back in 1995.”
  • music173 mentions

    The music in the remastered version of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic MIDI tracks that evoke classic Star Wars themes, while others criticize the repetitive nature and timing issues of the soundtrack. Despite a patch that improved audio quality, some users still find the music jarring and poorly integrated, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while the music retains its iconic status, it struggles to meet modern expectations, leaving some players disappointed.

    • “The music is especially memorable, showcasing the iconic Star Wars melodies that we all know and love.”
    • “Finally, they were able to release a patch that drastically improves music to the point where it actually sounds... like music.”
    • “The imuse music is all present and correct, it changes depending on what’s going on in the game and kicks into high gear when in firefights.”
    • “The only issue is the music isn't perfect; otherwise, I heartily recommend trying this out if you like classic 90s era FPS titles.”
    • “However, music is a huge part of the vibe of Star Wars, and regardless of setting, or patching the game with your own sound font, the music in this is bad.”
    • “This is a rushed port that has a myriad of embarrassing technical issues such as with the off-kilter timing of the music that is apparent as soon as you start.”
  • gameplay110 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered Dark Forces retains the core mechanics of the original, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience with modernized controls and graphics. While it features classic shooter elements reminiscent of Doom, some outdated mechanics persist, which may frustrate players. Overall, the remaster enhances the gameplay with quality-of-life improvements, making it a solid choice for both newcomers and fans of the original.

    • “The gameplay feels smooth, and the controller support is great.”
    • “Dark Forces delivered unprecedented leaps in gameplay and mechanics for its time, including mouse-look and platforming, appreciable and affective aim-bob, room-over-room, and terrain navigation via virtual muscle-ups.”
    • “With enhanced gameplay, revamped visuals, and a wealth of accessibility options, this is easily the best way to experience Dark Forces and revisit an oft-forgotten era of Star Wars.”
    • “Gameplay wise, it hasn't changed from the original.”
    • “Frame rate drops and other small bugs that affect the gameplay sadly ruin the experience.”
    • “Star Wars: Dark Forces is a product of its time, with decent visual remastering, but the gameplay sadly doesn’t hold up.”
  • stability30 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing run-ending glitches and visual artifacts, particularly in the remaster. However, many noted that recent patches have improved performance, with smoother movement and responsive controls. While occasional minor glitches and freezing issues persist, the game generally runs well, even on platforms like the Steam Deck.

    • “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.”
    • “I had a couple of run-ending glitches which were the fault of the remaster; however, I've seen that they are being patched out more recently.”
    • “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.”
    • “Sometimes glitches occur when looking around, causing you to jump to a different location, which can be confusing.”
  • optimization26 mentions

    The optimization of the remastered game has received mixed reviews; while it runs smoothly on modern hardware with upgraded textures and improved controls, some users report persistent bugs from the original version and occasional performance stuttering, particularly in later levels. Many recommend the classic version combined with the free Force Engine as a superior alternative, citing better user experience and value for money. Overall, while the remaster looks visually appealing, its price point and technical issues have led to dissatisfaction among some players.

    • “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 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 found the price of the Turok 3 remaster to be quite high, but I still had and still enjoy the game because the original game is hardly playable on the Nintendo 64 these days, and emulators are a dubious story. Nightdive has done a very good job on Turok 3, but I still requested a refund for the game because I wasn't completely satisfied with the price/performance ratio.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The game successfully immerses players in the Star Wars universe, capturing the essence of the original films and the darker tones of the 90s extended universe. Reviewers praise its atmospheric design, which is enhanced by solid level layouts, music, and a fitting lore, making it appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. Despite some criticism of the gunplay, the overall ambiance and storytelling contribute to a compelling experience.

    • “This game really captures the atmosphere of the original Star Wars films too.”
    • “Great vibes and setting, fantastic and eerie atmosphere and ambiance, good cast and story (for what it is), solid gameplay and level design.”
    • “The game oozes with the dark atmosphere of the 90's extended universe.”
    • “The game also relied heavily on fitting into the lore and atmosphere of Star Wars and became an important part of the expanded universe.”
    • “A few added features, but retains the original atmosphere and settings.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while it features a smooth remake with enhanced visuals and nostalgic elements that appeal to fans, many reviewers note that the short playtime and easy achievements diminish its long-term replay value. Despite the added features, players often find little incentive to revisit the game after completing it, as the challenges do not significantly encourage exploration or varied 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's a fairly short game with poor replay value.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting how the remaster evokes strong feelings of nostalgia, particularly for those who played it in their youth. The experience is described as a gradual yet intense journey through cherished memories, enhanced by the thoughtful updates that respect the original's essence. Overall, the remaster not only rekindles fond memories but also provides a heartwarming sense of recognition and appreciation for the game's legacy.

    • “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... a few minutes later, it'll start to rub that nostalgia - soft and slow at first, but then go harder and faster as you finish off on the first mission.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the remastered game has been criticized as a cash grab, with reviewers feeling that the €40 price tag is unjustified given the limited content and lack of features like crossplay. While some acknowledge the game's historical significance and advancements in design, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment in its pricing and value proposition.

    • “Just like the upcoming Battlefront collection remaster, which is a nasty cash grab on the part of the mouse, 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.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find that while most levels are straightforward, certain puzzles can be quite tedious, leading to a grinding experience in those instances.

  • character development2 mentions

    "Dark Forces" is praised for its innovative approach to character development, featuring an ongoing narrative that includes voiced dialogue, in-game conversations, and cutscenes, which set it apart from other shooters of its time that offered minimal story context. This depth of storytelling enhances player engagement and investment in the characters throughout the game.

    • “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.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it consistently amusing throughout.

    • “Still pretty funny, though.”
    • “Still pretty funny, though.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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