Star Wars: Dark Forces vs Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Star Wars: Dark Forces puts players in the boots of Rebel commando Kyle Katarn as he battles the Empire across diverse planetary locations. With its pioneering 3D engine and iconic weapons, the game delivers a nostalgic sci‑fi action experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II puts players in the boots of Kyle Katarn, a former Imperial officer turned Rebel hero, as he uncovers a dark conspiracy and masters the ways of the Force. The game blends first‑person shooting with lightsaber duels and Force powers, delivering a cinematic Star Wars experience. Originally released in 1997 for PC, the title features both a story‑driven single‑player campaign and robust multiplayer modes, allowing friends to duel with lightsabers or engage in team‑based combat. Its pioneering use of 3D environments and voice acting set a new standard for action games of its era.
- Pioneering 3D graphics for its era
- Rich Star Wars atmosphere and story
- Varied level design keeps gameplay fresh
- Iconic weapons and memorable soundtrack
- Innovative blend of shooting and lightsaber combat
- Rich single‑player story with voice acting
- Varied multiplayer modes
- Atmospheric Star Wars environments
- Outdated controls compared to modern shooters
- Limited AI sophistication
- No multiplayer mode
- Outdated graphics by modern standards
- Multiplayer reliant on legacy networking
- Limited control customization
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Star Wars: Dark Forces
View all →Become a Jedi and battle the Empire in a classic Star Wars shooter.
Relive the epic battle between the Empire and rebels in a classic shooter adventure
Lead an elite squad of clone commandos in gritty, tactical Star Wars combat
Master the Force and lightsaber in a classic Star Wars action shooter.
Alternatives to Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II
View all →
Master the Force and lightsaber in a classic Star Wars action shooter.
Unleash the Dark Side in a classic Star Wars shooter.
Master the Force in epic lightsaber combat and multiplayer battles
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataStar Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II is the safer default, offering higher critic scores, lower price, and multiplayer, while Star Wars: Dark Forces focuses strictly on a single-player retro shooter campaign.
Key differences
- •Price: Dark Forces costs $49.99 while Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II costs $29.99.
- •Multiplayer: Dark Forces is single-player only, whereas Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II supports up to 16 players in modes like deathmatch and capture the flag.
- •Critic Score: Dark Forces holds a 66/100 critic score compared to Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II's higher 80/100 score.
- •Combat and Abilities: Jedi Knight introduces upgradeable Force abilities and custom character creation, which Dark Forces does not feature.
- •Release Date: Dark Forces released in February 1995, while Jedi Knight released in September 1997.
Gameplay & fun factor
Jedi Knight introduces upgradeable Force abilities, fluid lightsaber combat, and custom character creation, scoring an 80/100 compared to Dark Forces' 66/100.
Platform availability
Not specified for either game beyond general release era platforms and networking.
Price & value
Jedi Knight is priced lower at $29.99 compared to Dark Forces' MSRP of $49.99, while also including multiplayer modes.
Multiplayer / co-op
Dark Forces is strictly single-player, whereas Jedi Knight includes multiplayer with deathmatch, capture the flag, and lightsaber duels for up to 16 players.
Content & replayability
Jedi Knight adds custom character creation, weapon load-outs, and multiplayer modes, enhancing replayability over Dark Forces' single-player hidden data pads.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both games feature outdated controls by modern standards and share the same ESRB T age rating.
Graphics & performance
Released in 1997, Jedi Knight improved upon Dark Forces' 1995 engine with dynamic 3D levels allowing for vertical movement.
Choose Star Wars: Dark Forces if…
Retro purists wanting to experience the original 1995 narrative-driven single-player Star Wars shooter campaign.
Choose Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II if…
Players looking for better value, higher critic scores, Force powers, and multiplayer capabilities.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II is cheaper with an MSRP of $29.99, whereas Star Wars: Dark Forces is $49.99.
Does Dark Forces have multiplayer?
No, Star Wars: Dark Forces is strictly single-player, while Jedi Knight supports up to 16 players in multiplayer modes.
Which game scored better with critics?
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II scored 80/100, while Star Wars: Dark Forces received a critic score of 66/100.