Summary
TheStar Wars: Dark Forcesremaster by Nightdive Studios features a restored prototype level from the game’s old Consumer Electronics Show (CES) demo, allowing players to enjoy this level for the first time in 29 years. This mysterious level is referenced in the officialStar Wars: Dark Forcesbox art, leaving many fans to wonder about its status.
Released on February 28,theStar Wars: Dark Forcesremasterlets players experience the beginning of Kyle Katarn’s journey on modern platforms, 29 years after the first-person shooter’s release on PC in 1995. Nightdive Studios made substantial improvements to the game for the remaster, including support for 4K resolution and up to 120 frames-per-second on compatible displays and platforms. All fourteen levels from the original game have been greatly enhanced with advanced 3D rendering, improved lighting, and unique atmospheric effects.
Reported byPC Gamerand theStar Warsfan site/Twitter account DF21net, theStar Wars: Dark Forcesremaster includes the prototype ISD Avenger level from the old CES demo from 1995. This level was cut from the original 1995 release, sinceStar Warsgames developer LucasArtsdetermined that ISD Avenger was too difficult of an introductory level for newStar Wars: Dark Forcesplayers at the time. After the level was cut, the game’s replacement level, Secret Base, was developed for the retail release. Despite not being available in the original retail release, the ISD Avenger level was used for the game’s iconic box art, becoming a topic of discussion and intriguing Star Warsfans for decades.
Star Wars: Dark ForcesISD Avenger Level is Finally Restored
Force Engine creator LuciusDXL is credited for helping Nightdive Studios recover and restore the prototype level forthe release ofStar Wars: Dark Forces’remaster. The level was present in the original LucasArts development vault that was given to Nightdive Studios for development, but it needed to be converted to a new file type. The conversion process also required Nightdive Studios to piece the level back together in order for players to experience it from start to finish in the remaster.
AlthoughRespawn’sStar WarsFPS game is canceled,Star Wars: Dark Forcesis still an excellent option for those wanting to play an action-packed shooter set in theStar Warsuniverse. Fans who purchase the new remaster may play the ISD Avenger level directly from the game’s main menu. The level is completely separate from theStar Wars: Dark Forcescampaign and its fourteen levels.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise originally created by George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd with the 1977 motion picture. The science fiction franchise follows the adventures of characters (both humanoid and alien) in outer space including those who can wield a mystical power known as the Force. Since the release of the original trilogy of movies, the franchise has expanded to include multiple films and branched out to other media like comics, video games, tv shows, theme park attractions, and more. The IP and Lucasfilm were sold to Disney in 2012.
