The evil Empire is currently creating a doomsday army behind a veil of secrecy. However, they are no match for the Rebel Alliance's covert operations division. Your mission is to infiltrate the Empire and put an end to their plans for terror and domination.
The 1995 classic immerses players in the role of Kyle Katarn, a former Imperial officer who has defected to the Rebel Alliance. The objective is to infiltrate the Galactic Empire and thwart their plans for the powerful "Dark Trooper" project.
The game offers a diverse arsenal of weapons, including a standard blaster pistol, stormtrooper rifle, repeater rifle, rocket launcher, and various explosives like thermal detonators and landmines. Combat revolves around circle-strafing, ducking, and maneuvering around enemy fire to efficiently dispatch foes. While many players gravitate towards the stormtrooper rifle and repeater, the variety of weapons allows for adaptable playstyles.
Unlike the strictly 2D movement of "Doom", the game grants players greater freedom and interactivity, allowing them to look up and down, jump, crouch, and even crawl through tight spaces. This dynamic movement, combined with the ability to navigate complex, multi-layered environments, enables players to tackle the game's puzzles and challenges.
The levels are described as large, intricate, and often confusing, with a focus on exploration and backtracking. Players must navigate through mazes, find color-coded keys, and solve environmental puzzles to progress. While this level design is innovative for its era, some players find it frustrating and disorienting, especially in the later stages of the game.
The game is generally regarded as challenging, particularly on higher difficulty settings. Utilizing a life system where players must restart an entire level upon losing all their lives, combined with tricky platforming sections and well-placed enemy mines, can lead to a punishing experience. However, others praise the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming the game's challenges.