Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Review (Switch)
Summary: Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster brings a classic 90s shooter back with smoother performance, updated visuals, and modern controls while staying true to its original design. You play as Kyle Katarn, tackling mission-based levels filled with exploration, combat, and light puzzle solving against the Empire. While some older mechanics can feel dated, the core gameplay and Star Wars atmosphere still make it an enjoyable experience.
3.8
Trooper Takedown
The Force is strong, but so is your trigger finger! Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is a first person shooter developed by Nightdive Studios in collaboration with LucasArts and published by Nightdive Studios. It launched on February 28, 2024 across PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This updated version of the 1995 original brings the classic into the modern era with up to 4K resolution, 120 frames per second on supported hardware, improved lighting, and smoother performance thanks to Nightdive’s KEX engine. Alongside visual upgrades, it introduces modern controls like a weapon wheel, controller support with gyro aiming, and a collection of extras including a “Vault” filled with cut content. Even with these updates, it stays true to its roots, delivering a fast, straightforward shooter that still manages to feel surprisingly engaging today.
You play as Kyle Katarn, a former Imperial cadet turned mercenary after the Empire killed his father. Now working with the Rebel Alliance alongside Jan Ors, you’re tasked by Mon Mothma with investigating the Empire’s secret Dark Trooper project, led by General Mohc. The story unfolds through mission briefings and cutscenes, keeping things focused and mission-driven. It feels grounded within the larger Star Wars universe, giving you just enough context to care about what you’re doing without slowing things down. There’s a strong sense that your actions matter on a smaller scale, even if you’re not changing the entire galaxy, and that contained storytelling actually works in its favor. It captures that classic Star Wars tone in a way that feels more direct and less overproduced than a lot of modern entries.
Each mission begins with a briefing before dropping you into large, maze-like levels where your goal is to complete objectives and make it back out alive. You’re not just moving from point A to point B. Instead, you’re exploring layered environments filled with keycards, switches, and hidden paths while dealing with constant enemy pressure. You’ll face off against stormtroopers, interrogation droids, Gran enemies, and eventually the deadly Dark Troopers themselves, along with a few familiar faces from the Star Wars universe.
What really separates this from other shooters of its time is its movement and level design. You can jump, crouch, and navigate vertical spaces in a way that feels more advanced than many of its peers. Levels often loop back on themselves, letting you see areas you’ve already explored from new angles, which adds a sense of place that holds up well. The puzzles can range from simple tasks like finding keys to more involved switch hunts and environmental navigation. Some of it leans into that classic 90s trial-and-error design, but most of the time it feels like you’re actively working toward a goal rather than just padding things out.
Combat is straightforward but satisfying. You have access to a solid arsenal that includes a standard blaster pistol, rifles, thermal detonators, a repeater, and the powerful concussion rifle. There’s even the option to fall back on your fists if you’re completely out of ammo. Weapons feel distinct and useful, and swapping between them using the updated weapon wheel keeps things flowing nicely. Enemies may follow predictable patterns, but they can still overwhelm you quickly if you’re not paying attention, especially in tighter spaces or when opening doors into unexpected encounters.
There are no mid-mission saves, so you rely on accumulating extra lives to keep going. It adds tension, since mistakes actually matter, but it can also feel outdated, especially in longer levels where losing progress stings more than it probably should. Still, it fits the design philosophy of the original and forces you to stay alert. The game runs around 10 to 15 hours, which is fairly substantial for this style of shooter, and it maintains a good sense of pacing throughout.
Visually, the remaster does a great job of cleaning everything up without losing the original identity. Textures are sharper, lighting is improved, and the overall presentation is much smoother. There’s a noticeable clarity that makes navigating environments easier and more enjoyable. Some areas really capture that iconic Star Wars aesthetic with bright, clean interiors and bold color contrasts. The enhancement options are a nice touch as well, letting you toggle things like enhanced cutscenes, upgraded sprites, and different render modes. It shows a level of care that goes beyond a simple visual upgrade.
The audio design complements this nicely. You can switch between General MIDI and OPL3 soundtracks, which is a great way to either modernize the experience or lean into the original feel. Sound effects are especially strong, with blaster fire, droid noises, and environmental sounds all hitting that familiar Star Wars tone. Enemy chatter and mechanical sounds help bring the world together, and even small details like button presses and machinery hums add to the immersion.
Final Thoughts?
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is a solid update to a classic that still has a lot to offer. It’s a great fit for something like the Switch, where you can jump into a mission, make some progress, and come back later without needing to commit to a long session. It doesn’t try to completely overhaul the experience, and that means some older design choices remain, for better or worse. The level design can be inconsistent at times, and the lack of a modern save system may turn some people away. But when everything clicks, it delivers that satisfying mix of exploration and action that defined early first person shooters. Even though the $30 price tag feels a bit steep for what is ultimately a faithful remaster of an older game, if you’re a Star Wars fan or someone who enjoys revisiting that era of games, there’s a lot to appreciate here.
About the Author
Nay Clark Gaming holds a special place in my heart and I never stop talking about video games. I really love all types of games and have an interest in games that have complicated stories and lore because I enjoy untangling the mystery of it all. When I'm not gaming, I unsuccessfully try to control three amazing and incredibly bright kids.
Related Posts
Hunt the Night Review (Switch) →
Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse Switch Review →
Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2 Review (Happy MAR10 DAY) →
