Reliving the Classics: Dark Forces

Mission #5 Gromas Mines

The Mouldy Crow weaves through the asteroids that orbit the great red giant moon in the Gromas system. An incoming transmission outlines Kyle Katarn's next mission, and its sabotage. Infiltrate the mining facility on the surface of the blood moon, place a charge on the thermal exhaust port, and escape with enough time to enjoy the fireworks. The significance of this facility for the rebels is the Imperials are mining materials they are using as armour for the Dark Troopers.

I was not exaggerating when I said EVERYTHING LOOKS RED

So the first obvious thing you notice about the level is how red everything is. This sky is a bright red atmosphere high above the crimson cliffs of your drop point. The entire level seems to have like a red tinge which I have to say is vomit inducing. Overall the level is much more enjoyable than some of the frustrating levels that precede it. You quickly come up on the outside of the mining facility where you blast a few Stormtroopers and Probe Droids before you make your way inside. Once inside you navigate the corridors of the mining facility blasting Imperials left and right. This is the first level where you pick up the Jeron Fusion Cutter which is this funny looking weapon that has 4 chambers that fire green energy balls. As per Wookieepedia it is actually a portable mining tool used for cutting into rock. That is actually really cool concept, that Kyle Katarn picks up this industrial tool and starts using it to fry imps. You eventually make your way to the top of this giant drill bit and actually have to jump on the very top of it and ride it down to the bottom. This is where you can get into the bowels of the operation. Tunnels filled with Stormtroopers and pistons that have the potential of crushing you into space goo. After a little tunneling and a couple of scary awkward jumps you find the thermal exhaust port and plant the charge. Doing this triggers security and the walls come down to reveal a Phase 1 Dark Trooper. This thing looks like a cracked out terminator with a sword and immediately comes at you without hesitation. He definitely, got the drop on me the first go around. After a quick re-spawn I went toe to toe with this thing. After many, many, MANY laser bolts to the chest it finally went down for good.

The exhaust port where you place the charge

Like its predecessors, this level ends with you shooting your way out to the exfiltration point where Jan picks you up in the crow. Overall a fun level. There was not many frustrating platforming or puzzles and I was not easily lost, which is interesting because everything just looked like a red hallway most of the level. I think the adrenaline pumping dark trooper encounter was the highlight of the game so far and definitely of this level.

Raining hellfire down on some Imps

Thanks for stopping in gamers and giving my little blog a read. Next mission is a prison break with a familiar character from the Star Wars Universe.

Reference:

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jeron_fusion_cutter