Nightdive Studios delves into revitalizing the iconic “Star Wars: Dark Forces” game.

Nightdive Studios, the masters of remasters, are back with another exciting project. This time, they are bringing the beloved 90s classic Star Wars: Dark Forces to modern audiences. Set to release on February 28 for PS5 and PS4, this remaster is a tribute to the original game released by LucasArts in 1995.

Similar to their previous successful remasters like Quake II and Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion, Nightdive Studios has kept the strong foundation of the original game while updating it for modern consoles using their proprietary KEX engine. This means that players can expect a visually stunning experience with up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS on Playstation 5.

One of the highlights of Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is the special Vault, which contains never-before-seen content from the making of the original game. Fans will be able to dive deeper into the development process and appreciate the hard work that went into creating this iconic title.

The remaster features improved spritework and remastered cutscenes, enhancing the visual narrative experience for players. Join protagonist Kyle Katarn, a defector turned mercenary for hire working for the Rebel Alliance, as he takes on the Galactic Empire and its secret Dark Troopers Project.

We had the opportunity to speak with Max Waine, Project Lead and Producer at Nightdive Studios, to learn more about the challenges and details behind the remaster. Waine shared his excitement about bringing something new to existing fans while preserving the essence of the original game. The team had to delve into the historical development perspective of spritework and cutscenes to ensure a seamless integration with the remaster.

The cutscenes, in particular, required a delicate balance between recreating them at a higher resolution and maintaining the original spirit. The team embraced a mixed medium approach, combining painted versions of characters with 3D environments to create a cohesive visual experience.

When asked about standout elements in the game, Waine expressed his admiration for Kyle’s trusty sidearm, the Bryar pistol. The weapon perfectly captures the essence of the game and stands out among the rendered 3D models.

The Phase 02 Dark Trooper character model also underwent significant iteration during development. While there are limitations in terms of available assets, the team managed to create an impressive character model that stayed true to the original.

Dark Forces was a game for its time. It introduced 3D environments with room-over-room support, a feature not possible in the Doom engine. The seamless integration of fully 3D objects within the environment added to the immersive experience.

In terms of pushing the FPS genre forward, Dark Forces successfully realized familiar and realistic environments, telling a cohesive story with fully voice-acted cutscenes. This immersive experience set a new standard for FPS games.

Fans can look forward to advanced visual improvements in Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster, including realistic lighting and atmospheric effects. With 10 weapons and 20 enemy types, players can expect action-packed, first-person ground combat.

Get ready to relive the magic of Star Wars: Dark Forces when it releases later this month. The PC version will be available on Steam or GOG. Don’t miss out on this must-play title that pays homage to a classic while bringing it into the modern era.