Dark Forces: Avenger (1995?)

 I'll do a larger Dark Forces write up at some point. But I grabbed Nightdive's remaster on sale today and shot through the Avenger mission. Short version Avenger is one of the Death Squadron (Vader's personal fleet) Star Destroyers that pursues the Falcon in ESB (the one it attaches to, in fact). In this cut level, it has a copy of (at least part of the) the Death Star plans. Kyle Katarn sneaks aboard and steals them.

The level was originally used as a demo at trade shows and was going to be the first level of the game. It was cut for being too complicated/difficult for a first level. The replacement "Secret Base" level (and later Executor) borrows some elements, but is definitely simpler (not counting the secrets). Overall, a good move, I think.

As a tech demo, it does a decent job. Shows off the 3d, some light puzzle/platforming that you couldn't have done in Doom, etc. I'd have like to have seen them slide some Gands in, not only to break up the enemy monotony (Officers, Storm Troopers, and Turrets) but also to show off the thermal detonators, which are probably the most technically impressive weapon in the game.

The version included in the remaster is unfinished, with some clipping issues, no voice overs, etc. but it was fun enough.