I have a history with this game. Back when I was around 13, and just starting to learn English at school, we had a special class that let us use the PC Lab. On there, we took some tests during the last hour class and if we completed the test quickly, we were allowed to play the games that came pre-installed on the PC.

One of those games, was the Demo version of Dark Forces that included only the first level. I must have played that demo hundred of times. I must have explored ever nook and cranny of that level and found every secret. Up to this day I know that level like the palm of my hand.

Now, almost 24 years I was finally able to buy and complete the full game. And it was a fun and amazing as my younger self imagined it to be.

The game is not without its quirks, and the level design is totally 90's style of design (meaning, sometimes is incredible obtuse and completing a puzzle is something a matter of luck), but the pace, the action and everything else is still fantastic. I can only assume it was even more amazing back then.

Many years later, I finally beat this game, and the wait was worth it.

I should say that in terms of Remaster quality, this is pretty up there.

It attempts to make it so that the game is compatible with modern devices, without shaking up its identity. This means you get enhanced graphics (or a means to disable all enhancements so you can play it in all of its antiquated glory back in 1995!) and features a lot of bonus in-the-making material, including a special level that was used as a demo back in the day.

This is basically a Nostalgia Nerd's wet dream, because you can pick and choose which and when you want enhancements to play with the game.

However, the game itself is starting to show its rough edges if you're spoiled with the conveniences of the modern era.

The level design is questionable; rooms existing for the sake of having rooms, weapon balance being very easy to deal with since most enemies can be dealt with the basic Bryar pistol or the blaster. Jumping puzzles exist, and are a novel invention of the game, since they never existed for games like these until Quake started turning it into a rocket jump artform.

Later stages don't provide you much to go with, as some rooms are ostensibly locked and it's not until you bother to check your items in your inventory that you realize the keycode is there instead of Doom's intuitive keycard system.

In fact, some stages have walls and pathways that tend not to make sense in terms of progression, leaving you groping around walls to find where you need to go.

The latter point is what made me unfortunately shelve the game.

If you can stomach the arcane limitations of its time and age, then by all means, please go ahead and play this wonderful remaster. If you need something more intuitive, I think you're better off playing Doom 2, Quake or Half Life.

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster é uma remasterização que não sabíamos que precisávamos. O game preserva toda a essência do original, enquanto traz melhorias visuais e uma série de extras. Sua história é interessante, contando com a presença de alguns personagens já conhecidos e uma gameplay que é naturalmente uma evolução de Doom. Um trabalho primoroso da Nightdive Studios contribuindo para a preservação e acessibilidade de um game que foi um marco na época e nos deixando ansiosos para um possível remaster da sequência.

Review completa em: https://psxbrasil.com.br/analise/star-wars-dark-forces-remaster-review/