Difference between revisions of "Star Wars: Dark Forces"
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{{Availability/row| GOG.com | star_wars_dark_forces | DRM-free | Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]].<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/general/list_of_gog_games_using_dosbox/page1|title=List of GOG games using DOSBox, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com|date=17 May 2023}}</ref> | | Windows, Linux }} | {{Availability/row| GOG.com | star_wars_dark_forces | DRM-free | Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]].<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/general/list_of_gog_games_using_dosbox/page1|title=List of GOG games using DOSBox, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com|date=17 May 2023}}</ref> | | Windows, Linux }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Humble | star-wars-dark-forces | Steam | Not available for sale in Germany. | | Windows, OS X }} | {{Availability/row| Humble | star-wars-dark-forces | Steam | Not available for sale in Germany. | | Windows, OS X }} | ||
+ | {{Availability/row| Origin | star-wars/star-wars-dark-forces | DRM-free | Included with {{store feature|EA Play Pro}}. Currently only visible in the EA App's Browse menu. | | Windows |}} | ||
{{Availability/row| Steam | 32400 | DRM-free | Can be [[#Update Steam DOSBox version/Run without Steam|played without Steam]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]] 0.73.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamdb.info/app/32400/config/|title=Star Wars: Dark Forces · AppID: 32400 · Steam Database|date=9 June 2023}}</ref> Update to 0.74 for better performance and some color issue fixes. | | Windows, OS X }} | {{Availability/row| Steam | 32400 | DRM-free | Can be [[#Update Steam DOSBox version/Run without Steam|played without Steam]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]] 0.73.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamdb.info/app/32400/config/|title=Star Wars: Dark Forces · AppID: 32400 · Steam Database|date=9 June 2023}}</ref> Update to 0.74 for better performance and some color issue fixes. | | Windows, OS X }} | ||
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{ii}} A demo containing an earlier version of the first level [https://archive.org/details/StarWarsDarkForces is available]. A longer demo which includes the finalized versions of the first 3 levels [https://archive.org/details/star-wars-dark-forces-super-sampler was also released].{{note|note=Any references to "the demo" on this page refer to the first demo.|name="demo"}} | {{ii}} A demo containing an earlier version of the first level [https://archive.org/details/StarWarsDarkForces is available]. A longer demo which includes the finalized versions of the first 3 levels [https://archive.org/details/star-wars-dark-forces-super-sampler was also released].{{note|note=Any references to "the demo" on this page refer to the first demo.|name="demo"}} |
Revision as of 23:12, 28 February 2024
This page is for the original 1995 game. For the 2024 remaster, see Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster.
Developers | |
---|---|
LucasArts | |
Publishers | |
LucasArts | |
Disney Interactive Studios | |
Engines | |
Jedi | |
Release dates | |
DOS | February 15, 1995 |
Mac OS (Classic) | June 1995 |
Windows (DOSBox) | September 16, 2009 |
Linux (DOSBox) | January 20, 2015[1] |
macOS (OS X) (DOSBox) | March 19, 2018[2] |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase |
Modes | Singleplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | First-person |
Controls | Direct control |
Genres | Action, Shooter, FPS |
Themes | Sci-fi, Space |
Series | Star Wars: Jedi Knight |
Star Wars: Dark Forces is a first-person shooter set during the original Star Wars trilogy, and is the first game in the Jedi Knight series.
In late 2022, version 1.0 of The Force Engine was released, a reverse-engineered port allowing for native widescreen, high resolutions, and vertical aiming with the mouse. The game has an active modding community, centered around the DF-21 website and it's Discord server.
General information
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | See Run retail version without the CD on how to bypass the disc check. | |||
GamersGate | ||||
GOG.com | Pre-packaged with DOSBox.[3] | |||
Humble Store | Not available for sale in Germany. | |||
Origin | Included with EA Play Pro. Currently only visible in the EA App's Browse menu. | |||
Steam | Can be played without Steam. Pre-packaged with DOSBox 0.73.[4] Update to 0.74 for better performance and some color issue fixes. |
- A demo containing an earlier version of the first level is available. A longer demo which includes the finalized versions of the first 3 levels was also released.[Note 1]
- The original icon, which isn't used in the Steam version of the game, is available here
Essential improvements
Patches
- The DOS version has no patches (the
Install.exe
listed on the official support page is not for this game). - The 1.2 Update patch fixes some issues with the MacOS Classic version.
- Official German Patch adds missing translations and voice files.
Unofficial patches
- Dark Forces Community Patch (2022) has over 100 fixes and quality of life improvements.
The Force Engine
- Reverse-engineered source port of Dark Forces made by the same author of DarkXL that includes QOL improvements
- GPU rendering with widescreen and high resolution support (up to 4K)
- Full mouselook support
- In-game saving and quicksaves available from any point in the game
- iMUSE and dynamic music implemented
DarkForces Custom Launcher
- Multi-featured Launcher which has a guide.
- Runs Dark Forces and custom community-made missions
- Automatically updates new missions as they are added to df-21.net.
- Includes Dark Forces DeHacker.
Dark Forces DeHacker
- All of the following features are completely optional and DeHacker can be used only as configuration tool replacement instead of the buggy original setup executable - see "Configuration setup" menu.
- Enables vertical mouselook and allows for higher controls customization
- Runs the game and setup program without the CD
- Fixes infinite loop bug in General MIDI and Roland music drivers
- Increased mouse sensitivity by 4 times
- Documentation in
DARKINFO.TXT
file with a complete list of all reserved keyboard keys, command line options, and cheat codes
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
DOS | <path-to-game>\JEDI.CFG |
Windows | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 2] |
Mac OS (Classic) | Macintosh HD/System Folder/Preferences/Dark Forces Preferences |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 2] |
Linux | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 2] |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/32400/pfx/[Note 3] |
- Config file is not human readable. A partial explanation on how to edit it can be found here.
- This game does not follow the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
DOS | <path-to-game>\DARKPILO.CFG |
Windows | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 2] |
Mac OS (Classic) | Macintosh HD/System Folder/Preferences/Dark Forces Pilots |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 2] |
Linux | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 2] |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/32400/pfx/[Note 3] |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
GOG Galaxy | ||
Origin | ||
Steam Cloud |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | DOS version runs at 320x200 (see the DOSBox page for more information) and Mac OS (Classic) version runs at 640x480. See The Force Engine for widescreen support. |
||
Multi-monitor | See The Force Engine. | ||
Ultra-widescreen | See The Force Engine. | ||
4K Ultra HD | See The Force Engine. | ||
Field of view (FOV) | See The Force Engine. | ||
Windowed | Toggle with Alt+↵ Enter if using DOSBox. The Force Engine supports windowed mode. |
||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | |||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | |||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | |||
High-fidelity upscaling | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | Use The Force Engine. | ||
60 FPS | Up to 72 frames per second. [5] | ||
120+ FPS | The framerate is uncapped on The Force Engine if Vsync is turned off. Game logic runs at 145 ticks per second.[5] | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. |
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | Use INSTALL.EXE (KEYCONFI.EXE in the demo) or SETUP.EXE . Mouse settings cannot be changed in the demo. Some keys cannot be mapped. See fix below, or use The Force Engine. |
|
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | Some menus only work with mouse. | |
Mouse Y-axis inversion | Game lacks vertical-look for mouse. See hack below for adding it, or use The Force Engine. | |
Controller | ||
Controller support | ||
Full controller support | ||
Controller remapping | Use INSTALL.EXE (KEYCONFI.EXE in the demo) or SETUP.EXE . |
|
Controller sensitivity | ||
Controller Y-axis inversion |
Controller types |
---|
XInput-compatible controllers | Through DosBox | |
---|---|---|
Xbox button prompts | ||
Impulse Trigger vibration |
PlayStation controllers |
---|
Generic/other controllers | ||
---|---|---|
Button prompts |
Additional information | ||
---|---|---|
Controller hotplugging | ||
Haptic feedback | ||
Digital movement supported | ||
Simultaneous controller+KB/M | Designed for keyboard and flightstick. |
Modern control scheme + v-look for mouse (DOSBox)
- Use Dark Forces Plus, compilation of DOSBox keymapper files and GlovePIE script.[6]
- Could use FreePIE as alternative to GlovePIE.
- GlovePIE and FreePIE are Windows programs; they do not work on Mac or Linux.
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | Uses stereo output with some 3D spatial effects.[7] | |
Subtitles | See The Force Engine. | |
Closed captions | See The Force Engine. | |
Mute on focus lost | For DOSBox change the priority background value in the DOSBox configuration file. |
|
Royalty free audio | Uses audio from the original Star Wars movie trilogy. | |
General MIDI audio |
- This game supports the MT-32 and General MIDI for music.
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Italian | ||||
Russian | Fan translation by «ENPY Studio» | |||
Spanish |
Issues unresolved
- The MIDI tracks BOSS-05.GMD, BOSS-08.GMD, BOSS-10.GMD, BOSS-11.GMD and BOSS-14.GMD (inside SOUNDS.GOB) never play during the game when the corresponding boss is fought against. This is known to be true about the DOS retail release and is an iMUSE issue.
- One sector in "Mission 3: Anoat City" is messed up, preventing access to two energy unit pickups. Its corridor can be entered by setting the hub switch to setting 2. The inaccessible sector is on the right just inside the sewage corridor, showing up with the map cheat or a level editor.
- Two Ceiling Turrets in "Mission 4: Research Facility" are missing their bases.
- Some of the Ceiling Turrets have their base set to have the Turret logic. Nothing happens unless the corresponding map gets edited.
- A fan in "Mission 4: Research Facility" has its grate set to use the Fan logic. Unless the map is edited, the grate stays still.
- There is a non-functioning elevator in "Mission 9: Nar Shaddaa" in the room with the first Trandoshans. Its sector is messed up and inaccessible, preventing players from going back to the starting area without sitting on a mine or cheating.
Issues fixed
Game randomly changes colors
Change output method to DirectDraw or OpenGL[citation needed] |
---|
|
Game appears stretched horizontally
Fix incorrect aspect ratio[citation needed] |
---|
|
Run retail version without the CD
Run without the CD[8] |
---|
|
Create a dummy folder[citation needed] |
---|
|
Update Steam DOSBox version/Run without Steam
Run without Steam[citation needed] |
---|
|
Enable Steam overlay
Change DOSBox output method to OpenGL[citation needed] |
---|
|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
OpenGL | 3.3 | See The Force Engine |
Software renderer | ||
DOS video modes | MCGA, VGA |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Audio | iMUSE | For music |
DarkXL
- DarkXL is heavily outdated at this point and it's not recommended to use it anymore, as it has been surpassed by The Force Engine.
- Enables playing the game in modern Windows. Supports high resolutions, with enhanced visuals and proper mouselook.
- The Original version of the project, however, is no-longer in active development, and the most-recent alpha version has some unresolved issues such as missing cutscenes, no music during cutscenes, a float/noclip function bound to the F key that cannot be rebound, and other issues that require workarounds to correct. However, the game can still be completed in this form. (see Getting started with XL Engine).
The author of the Xlengine/DarkXL port LuciusDXL has, as of May 2020, restarted the project as The Force Engine concentrating on Dark Forces and Outlaws games. This is due in part to Blood and Daggerfall having other complete projects/ports available. More information is available on his blog post here.
Dark Frontend
Dark Frontend is a utility that allows easier launching of mods and levels. Installation (of both the launcher and the mods you intend to use with it) isn't exactly the most straight forward; includes a digital manual (readme.exe), reading it is recommended before using. It has been superseded by Dark Forces Custom Launcher, but unlike its successor, it is a native DOS program and can directly in DOSBox.
System requirements
- The Force Engine requires an OpenGL 3.3-capable GPU.
Steam
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 2000, XP, Vista | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 486 | |
System memory (RAM) | 16 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 80 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | DirectX 5.2 compatible | |
Sound (audio device) | 16-bit sound card |
Disc Version
DOS | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 5.0 | 6.22 |
Processor (CPU) | Intel 386DX 33 MHz | Intel 486DX 33 MHz |
System memory (RAM) | 8 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 3.5 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | MCGA, VGA |
- Full hard-drive installation requires 67.4 MB.[9]
Mac OS | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | MacOS 7.1 | |
Processor (CPU) | 68040 or PowerPC | |
System memory (RAM) | 8 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 5 MB (Minimum Install) | 13 MB |
Video card (GPU) | 256-color 13" display | |
Controller | Keyboard and mouse | Joystick optional |
Other | CD-ROM drive required |
Notes
- ↑ Any references to "the demo" on this page refer to the first demo.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 File/folder structure within the installation folder reflects the path(s) listed for DOS game data.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in
~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/32400/
. - Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (32400) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.
References
- ↑ LUCASFILM ON GOG.COM: Wave II continues. - GOG.com - last accessed on 17 May 2023
- ↑ STAR WARS™: Dark Forces :: Compatibility Patch Update - Steam Community - last accessed on 2019-05-04
- ↑ List of GOG games using DOSBox, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on 17 May 2023
- ↑ Star Wars: Dark Forces · AppID: 32400 · Steam Database - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on 2022-12-21
- ↑ gog.com - last accessed on 17 May 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on July 21, 2018 using General Midi (VirtualMIDISynth) for Music and Sound Blaster 16 (DOSBox emulation) for Digital Sound Effects.
- ↑ dosbox.com - last accessed on 17 May 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on 2023-01-12