History VideoGame / DarkForces

** While there is currently no 100% feature-complete mod to play the game on modern systems with [=OpenGL=] graphics ( like [=ZDoom=] for ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or [=EDuke=] for ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D''), the [=DarkXL=] mod comes the closest, being completable from start to finish. However, some of the cutscenes are glitched, the weapon scroll doesn't work properly (as the keys for next weapon[=/=]previous weapon have been replaced with debug keys), a few of the endgame weapons may not work properly, flying bosses may get stuck in one spot, and there are a couple of bugs that may prevent progress in some of the later levels, though they can be worked around.
** Work on [=DarkXL=] has since been discontinued, with the most current attempt at a ''Dark Forces'' source port now being The Force Engine, which attempts to build upon [=DarkXL=]'s foundation. It has been in an early development alpha state for some time, but finally became playable from beginning to end with all features around late 2021, with a bug-fixed 1.0 release planned for mid-to-late 2022.

** Work on [=DarkXL=] has since been discontinued, with the most current attempt at a ''Dark Forces'' source port now being The Force Engine, which attempts to build upon [=DarkXL=]'s foundation, but is in an early alpha development state as of 2022.

* GameMod: While there is currently no 100% feature-complete mod to play the game on modern systems with [=OpenGL=] graphics ( like [=ZDoom=] for ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or [=EDuke=] for ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D''), the [=DarkXL=] mod comes the closest, being completable from start to finish. However, some of the cutscenes are glitched, the weapon scroll doesn't work properly (as the keys for next weapon[=/=]previous weapon have been replaced with debug keys), a few of the endgame weapons may not work properly, and there are a couple of bugs that may prevent progress in some of the later levels, though they can be worked around.

** You have no lightsaber or Force powers. Also, Kyle lacks his famous BadassBeard.

* AdaptationalAttractiveness: In ''Dark Forces'', Kyle's rather weathered appearance is most generously described as "grizzled". He's much more conventionally attractive in the live-action ''Jedi Knight'' as well as in ''Jedi Outcast'' and ''Jedi Academy''.
* AirborneMook: Imperial probes, much like in the films, fly around and attack with electric shocks. There is also the Phase II Dark Troopers who spend most of their time in the air due to having jump packs.
%% zce * BadassNormal: Kyle, since he doesn't have any Force powers in this game yet.

* CheckpointStarvation: Unlike ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or Build Engine games, ''Dark Forces'' has no in-game save feature, only a level select, so each mission has to be beaten in one sitting. You do have an extra life feature that lets you respawn if you die.

** You have no lightsaber or Force powers. Also, Kyle lacks his trademark beard.

%% zce * EmergencyWeapon: Your fists.

* FinalBoss: Rom Mohc. After setting explosive devices across the Arc Hammer, Mohc shows up just before you can reach your ship. For the battle, he wears a prototype Phase III Dark Trooper suit that's more than twice as durable as a regular Phase II Dark Trooper and equipped with an Assault Cannon and a Homing Missile launcher that can do a lot of damage. He also has a jump pack that allows him to be airborne.

* GreaterScopeVillain: Darth Vader and the Emperor. The former actually appears, overseeing the Dark Trooper project as [[BigBad General Mohc]]'s superior, but he has no involvement otherwise.

* DownTheDrain: P
The sewers come into play as early as Level 3: they combine a confusing maze of corridors, underwater creatures that are very difficult to spot and hit before they spot and hit you, limited supply of ammo and battery cells and being all around just a chore to get through.

** As GiantMook enemies go, the Dark Troopers are relatively below-average in terms of tankiness (the Phase IIs are about on par with ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' Hell Knights in terms of their hit points, with the FinalBoss having about the same hit points as a Baron of Hell), but they're quite fast with their jet packs and equipped with powerful rapid-fire plasma assault cannons that deal massive damage and can even fire rockets.

* BadassNormal: Kyle, since he doesn't have any Force powers in this game yet.
* {{BFG}}: The Concussion Rifle, the Mortar Gun and the Assault Cannon.
* BountyHunter: Boba Fett shows up to confront Kyle on Coruscant.

* DownTheDrain: Probably one of the most infamous (and earliest, at least FPS-wise) examples of this trope. The sewers come into play as early as Level 3: they combine a confusing maze of corridors, underwater creatures that are very difficult to spot and hit before they spot and hit you, limited supply of ammo and battery cells and being all around just a chore to get through.

* EmergencyWeapon: Your fists.

* GiantMook: The Dark Troopers are essentially these, particularly the Phase II variations. They're huge Stormtrooper-shaped battle droids who can soak more than 40 blaster bolts or several direct explosive hits before falling, and are armed with rapid fire plasma assault cannons. Unlike most examples of the trope, they're also {{Lightning Bruiser}}s with jetpacks who can fly around surprisingly quickly.

** Creating these is basically the entire point of the Dark Trooper project. Just a few of them deployed on Talay as a test wipes out an entire Rebel force.
** Naturally, Kyle himself is one of these as well, fighting his way through two large Imperial ships, countless Stormtroopers and every remaining active Dark Trooper by the end.

* GlassCannon: Trandoshan goons aren't any more durable than regular mooks, but they carry powerful concussion rifles that deal heavy damage and will even blow you backwards a couple dozen feet.

* FinalBoss: Rom Mohc. After setting explosive devices across the Arc Hammer, Mohc shows up just before you can reach your ship. For the battle, he wears a prototype Phase III Dark Trooper suit that's equipped with an Assault Cannon and a Homing Missile launcher that can do a lot of damage. He also has a jump pack that allows him to be airborne.

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dark_forces_box_cover.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''"You're not authorized in this area!"'']]

* GameMod: While there is currently no 100% feature-complete mod to play the game on modern systems with [=OpenGL=] graphics ( like [=ZDoom=] for ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or [=EDuke=] for ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D''), the [=DarkXL=] mod comes the closest, with the only major issues being some glitches in cutscenes and the inability to use the F key.

* GameMod: While there is currently no 100% feature-complete mod to play the game on modern systems with [=OpenGL=] graphics (ala ZDoom for ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or [=EDuke=] for ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D''), the [=DarkXL=] mod comes the closest, with the only major issues being some glitches in cutscenes and the inability to use the F key.

* FinalBoss: Rom Mohc. After setting explosive devices across the Arc Hammer, Mohc shows up just before you can reach your ship. For the battle, he wears a prototype phase III dark trooper suit that's equipped with an Assault Cannon and a Homing Missile launcher that can do a lot of damage. He also has a jump pack that allows him to be airborne.

* GodMode: Players can enable the Super Shield in the options which will make them impervious to energy weapons and explosions; however [[DownplayedTrope the player is still vulnerable to physical damage]] like falling, punches, medical droid and dianoga attacks, and Dark Trooper phase I blades.

The intro showcases Katarn as the one to steal the plans for the first Death Star and transmit them to the rebellion, thus leading into the events of ''Film/ANewHope'' ([[Film/RougeOne Sound]] [[HilariousInHindsight familiar]]?). Afterwards, the game time-jumps to after the Death Star's destruction and goes its own way, uncovering the Emperor's top-secret "Dark Trooper Project."

The intro showcases Katarn as the one to steal the plans for the first Death Star and transmit them to the rebellion, thus leading into the events of ''Film/ANewHope''. Afterwards, the game time-jumps to after the Death Star's destruction and goes its own way, uncovering the Emperor's top-secret "Dark Trooper Project."

The intro showcases Katarn as the one to steal the plans for the first Death Star and transmit them to the rebellion, thus leading into the events of ''Film/ANewHope''. Just to compare Disney's characters to [[Franchise/StarWarsLegends the old expanded universe]]: ''Film/RogueOne'''s characters died stealing the Death Star plans. Katarn moved on to bigger and better things afterward; that little heist [[BatmanColdOpen is just a footnote for him]]. Reducing it to a tutorial level made Kyle seem like a Mary Sue from the very beginning. (He became even more over-powered over time!) Afterwards, the game time-jumps to after the Death Star's destruction and goes its own way, uncovering the Emperor's top-secret "Dark Trooper Project."

The intro showcases Katarn as the one to steal the plans for the first Death Star and transmit them to the rebellion, thus leading into the events of ''Film/ANewHope''. Just to compare Disney's characters to [[Franchise/StarWarsLegends the old expanded universe]]: ''Film/RogueOne'''s characters died stealing the Death Star plans. Katarn moved on to bigger and better things afterward; that heist is just a footnote for him. Reducing it to a tutorial level made Kyle seem like an [[OneManArmy unstoppable badass]] from the very beginning. (He became a more well-rounded character through time.) Afterwards, the game time-jumps to after the Death Star's destruction and goes its own way, uncovering the Emperor's top-secret "Dark Trooper Project."

* EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods: The Anoat sewer system of the third mission is home to tons of Dianogas, which just love to lurk around in the sewage and [[JumpScare scare the hell out of you]]. And you have to wade through a ''ton'' of sewage, often in the dark. Have fun. Dianogas still appear sparingly after Anoat; true to ''Film/ANewHope'', where there's a trash compactor, you'll probably find a Dianoga.

->''"You're not authorized in this area!"''

The intro showcases Katarn as the one to steal the plans for the first Death Star and transmit them to the rebellion, thus leading into the events of ''Film/ANewHope''. Just to compare Disney's characters to [[Franchise/StarWarsLegends the old expanded universe]]: ''Film/RogueOne'''s characters died stealing the Death Star plans. Katarn moved on to bigger and better things afterward; that level is just a footnote for him. Reducing it to a tutorial level made Kyle seem like an [[OneManArmy unstoppable badass]] from the very beginning. (He became a more well-rounded character through time.) Afterwards, the game time-jumps to after the Death Star's destruction and goes its own way, uncovering the Emperor's top-secret "Dark Trooper Project."

''Franchise/StarWars: Dark Forces'' (1995), the first game in the VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga, is a standard FirstPersonShooter. The beginning levels introduces the series' protagonist Kyle Katarn as the one to steal the plans for the first Death Star and transmit them to [[TheAlliance the Rebel Alliance]], thus leading into ''Film/ANewHope''. After that, it jumps after the Death Star's destruction and goes into its own story involving TheEmpire's secret "Dark Trooper Project". The game was a dramatic leap for graphics and level design, being one of the first to feature multiple floors. It was also one of the first successful uses of looking up and down, as well as jumping.

* {{BFG}}: The Concussion Rifle, the Mortar Gun and the Assault Cannon. The basic Bryar Pistol is often depicted as one thanks to MemeticMutation.

* DownTheDrain: Probably one of the most infamous (and earliest, at least FPS-wise) examples of this trope. The sewers come into play as early as Level 3: they combine a confusing maze of corridors, underwater creatures that are very difficult to spot and hit before they spot and hit you (not to mention the NightmareFuel factor that put many younger gamers off at the time of the game's release), limited supply of ammo and battery cells and being all around just a chore to get through.

* GiantMook[=/=]HeavilyArmoredMook: The Dark Troopers are essentially these, particularly the Phase II variations. They're huge Stormtrooper-shaped battle droids who can soak more than 40 blaster bolts or several direct explosive hits before falling, and are armed with rapid fire plasma assault cannons. Unlike most examples of the trope, they're also {{Lightning Bruiser}}s with jetpacks who can fly around surprisingly quickly.