Before Star Wars Jedi Survivor raised the bar for Star Wars games, many of us still look back fondly on the classics. The new Star Wars Dark Forces remaster breathes fresh life into the 1996 FPS game, and now Xbox players can access it for the first time ever.
Undoubtedly one of the best Star Wars games ever made, Star Wars Dark Forces will arrive in the Xbox Store on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Supporting 4K resolution with 120 FPS, Nightdive Studios makes this a landmark moment for the game, as it was only available on PC, Mac, and PS1 in the past. Like all good Star Wars games, Dark Forces transports you all around the galaxy, visiting recognizable locales and some previously unseen places across 14 levels.
The new Xbox game includes missions set within Jabba the Hutt’s yacht, a sinister Star Destroyer interior, and the sewers of Anoat City. You’ll also get to blast your way through planets like Coruscant. Dark Forces is legendary as it was the first ever first-person shooter game crafted for the Star Wars franchise. We hope one day it’ll become one of best Xbox Game Pass games available, as it’d be an excellent addition to the service. Additionally on the technical side, Nightdive Studios provides the following features in the remaster:
- Advanced 3D rendering enables updated lighting and atmospheric effects
- Modern gamepad support adds a new weapon wheel, and rumble
- Controller Support – vibration and gyro controls
Don’t get us wrong, we love Star Wars Jedi Survivor‘s Cal Kestis – we even spoke to Respawn Entertainment about how they made him a badass. However, Dark Forces’ Kyle Katarn is a legend in his own right. The Rebel Alliance mercenary has an amazing history in Star Wars canon, forging a friendship with Luke Skywalker and defeating enemies like Dark Jedi Desaan along the way.
Dark Forces gives you a different perspective on Katarn, placing you directly in his shoes in one of the best FPS games available for Star Wars fans. He’s appeared in notable games like Star Wars Jedi Academy, and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2.
Maybe one day we can get a Dark Forces 2 remaster, and it certainly seems more likely at the minute. With Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered studio Aspyr releasing the Star Wars Battlefront Collection soon, completely with 64-player multiplayer, we’ve got hope to see Kyle Katarn’s further adventures.