Star Wars: Dark Forces

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a 1995 first-person shooter developed and published by LucasArts for MS-DOS. Set in the Star Wars universe, it follows mercenary-turned-Rebel agent Kyle Katarn on a mission to uncover the Empire’s secret “Dark Trooper” project—an advanced line of battle droids and power-armored stormtroopers. The game blends classic shooter action with a strong narrative theme that fits seamlessly into the Star Wars mythos.

The gameplay builds on fast, fluid movement through large, multi-layered levels filled with puzzles, switches, and hidden areas. Unlike many early shooters, Dark Forces introduced features such as looking up and down, jumping, crouching, and mission-specific objectives, making the experience more dynamic and varied. Combat utilizes a wide arsenal of blasters, explosives, and gadgets that capture the feel of the films.

Atmospheric environments—from Imperial bases to deep-space mining stations—bring the world of Star Wars to life through detailed sprite work and iconic sound design. Combined with its cinematic storytelling and memorable soundtrack, Dark Forces stood out as one of the most ambitious and polished PC shooters of its time, helping pave the way for future Star Wars action titles.