STAR WARS™ Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

The game itself is fantastic, no other FPS has approached the gameplay and level scope/design. However, my account does not show Mysteries of the Syth anymore after recent GOG updates. I contacted support, gave them screenshots showing wrong game identifiers etc., and they answered me after a few days, telling me to F off.

I basically submerged myself in this game as a kid; I knew every secret, every cheat code. I played all the user-made levels released on various fan sites (some which still exist to this day!) Overall, it's a great FPS, and integrates the saber and force powers into the core gameplay exceedingly well. It's some pretty classic Star Wars as well, so if you're a fan of the franchise, it's doubly important to check out.

This was one of my favorite games as a kid. This and its sequel Mysteries of the Sith. My dad bought a 1998 Compaq and her bought me a Star Wars game pack that had this and many other great games in it. I can't believe I can play this on Windows 11 without some serious workarounds. This is in the era where games had live action cutscenes. I absolutely loved them. This was before the prequel trilogy came out and it felt like watching new Star Wars movies. If you like retro shooters, are a fan of Star Wars, or just want to check out a classic 90's computer game I would highly recommend this. Of course my childhood love is influencing my opinion. But hey you get a lightsaber and have lightsaber duels with Sith. Come on who doesn't want that?

If Dark Forces 1 is to Duke Nukem and Build Engine shooters, then Dark Forces is to Quake; however Dark Forces 2 isn't nearly as fluid as Quake and hasn't aged quite as well. For starters, getting the game running can be a little tricky, easiest solution (and the one I recommend) is using the source port OpenJKDF2 which will slightly remap the controls for you too and give proper widescreen support among some other QoL features but its still not nearly as supported as other games due to the Sith Engine being less supported outside of LucasArts games. To the game itself: Dark Forces 2 is what you get when you mix Quake with Dark Forces 1, some slightly finicky mechanics but an overall alright experience, my main gripe is that some weapons such as the equivalent to grenades, don't feel as responsive and are hard to gauge, paired with the slight wonkiness of the lightsaber combat (vs multiple enemies) and the sometimes weird level layouts. Let's take the intro level(s) for an example, you are moving through a space port to reach your attacker and recover a stolen disc, sounds simple enough right? Till you get to deal with the verticality in the level itself which is full of enemies that, although not hitscanners, can easily become annoying thanks to your first weapon being slightly inaccurate (not as bad as stormtroopers but not too far from them at range) and since melee damage breaks through your armor, might give you a tough time. So you keep fighting through the level dealing with the onslaught of enemies till you realize you have to go through the same area again in the second level. It's not the best intro level, but fortunately after that levels do become better, however you will probably remember the verticality as that trope will continue to appear throughout the game. Should you buy Dark Forces 2? Definitely, rebind some keys, use Openjkdf2, and get to around the fourth level for the better gameplay and level design.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II is a real good FPS in dire need of a remaster. Nightdive Studios, get on it! The game is really well made. Exploration is fun and level design is generally good. Less cryptic than many other 90s FPSs. And scale of some of the levels is insane for the time and impressive even today. Weapons feel great and there is enough enemy variety. Campy FMVs are charming as hell. There are problems though. Including major technical issues. It takes tinkering to make the game even run properly on modern machines. And after that the music still would not play for me. There was a fix, but it caused the cinematics to not have sound. Bizzarre. Gameplay-wise, there is issue with movement/collision. Crawling into elevated vents is escpecially arduous, as Kyle is apparently made out of rubber and keeps bouncing off. Many force powers are useless. And boss fights are tedious slap fests. I enjoyed the first game a bit more, but Jedi Knight is still a good time. Recommended!