Star Wars Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire audio drama

[@Brainstorm-Lore]

Thank you for having this on KZbin, it has proved invaluable to my upcoming Star Wars Should This Be Canon video. Be assured I intend to give you the credit. It's thanks to fan dedication like yours that we can preserve this franchise against what the Mouse has done to it.

[@MrPoke]

Thanks! I await your video covering the trilogy. If you need any info on who voiced who, I have the box set which lists the voice actors.

[@NinjaSushi2]

Ooooh. Neat.

[@leebanks3087]

The Mouse 👁🤛🏾🥱😫

[@saberiandream316]

Making it canon would diminish it. Look how often Lucasfilm has TRIED that in the last eight years and you'll see what I mean.

[@Brainstorm-Lore]

@@saberiandream316 could you please clarify what you mean?

[@BreakMeBad5524]

I am now officially on the side of the Star Wars extended universe. I love how my brain can make every scene come to life from these radio and audio dramas. Consider me a Star Wars EU fan.

[@MrPoke]

Welcome aboard!

[@jbbizzle828]

I'm actually both. EU and new canon. It's a better mixture.

[@gabethebabe3337]

@@jbbizzle828 I just can't with new canon. It's so stagnant and a lot of it is just ripping off stories that already existed in the expanded universe. It's also a mess when it comes to its retcons. Legends retcons usually worked to further explain things while Disney retcons replace information. "canon" is a dead end.

[@youwayo]

@@gabethebabe3337I think the new canon has pretty good stories too, it’s just that are being overshadowed by the bad ones.

[@shaney3541]

New cannon is retarded and gay ​@@jbbizzle828

[@tj8097]

I'm 22 years old and I'm a huge Star Wars fan and buff. For me, the Expanded Universe will always be the true canon. Already played the games these audio dramas are based on so now I'm looking forward to learning more about Kyle, Jerec, Jan and all these amazing characters !Thanks for uploading these :D

[@theArchive1O]

That’s awesome, what are some audio dramas do you recommend? These stories help me sleep haha

[@markl5998]

I've played outcast and academy, but neither of the dark forces. I definitely will tho

[@tylercampobasso2313]

@@theArchive1O tales of the jedi and dark empire have cool radio dramas. as do the original trilogy films

[@christianemory3839]

@@theArchive1O me too, bro lol

[@theArchive1O]

@@christianemory3839 haha nice bro. There are a lot of novels that I read too, Star Wars has alot

[@Mara80418]

I never forget the expanded universe, it will always be my canon of star wars🥰

[@gamingaction1013]

George Lucas said its Cannon so it doesn’t matter how much money Disney owns its Cannon forever for fans that remember

[@TheJoeHarrison]

This was the very first Star Wars audio drama I listened to, and it's what inspired me to start making my own audio dramas. Been doing it for fifteen years now, and even got to live out my dream of working with the voice actor who plays Jerec (Allen Hamilton) in this series -- I was able to get him to reprise the role of Jerec in a couple episodes of my own current audio series. I was hoping to get Randal Berger (Kyle) and Gary Groomes (Governor Donar, and other characters), but unfortunately never heard back from them. Anyway, I literally listen to these "Dark Forces" audio dramas once a year, every year, that's how much I love them. Thanks for posting this!

[@DreamwalkerFilms]

6:41 the change in pass mid-line is flawless. Literally like the way a movie would be edited, seamlessly bringing us into a new locale. I could almost see the cut in my mind. Great example of the excellent production value of these programs.

[@NinjaSushi2]

This is amazing!! I FEEL LIKE A KID IN THE 90S AGAIN! Dark Forces was one of my favorite games!

[@SuperTunnelBoy]

This is so cool! Kyle has always been my favourite Legends Charcter so it's cool to see his story fleshed out even more

[@NinjaSushi2]

Wonder how many people thought your profile picture was a chick.. Heh

[@liammackay2061]

This is amazing, thank you so much to the poster. Kyle Katarn is my favourite legends character because of the Dark Forces and Jedi Knight series, and this audio drama dives into his back story and fleshes out his character.

[@RaikenXion]

This is an amazing audio drama, the voice-acting is top-notch, and the attention to detail like the sound effects, when characters are fighting, in battle or even just going through a tunnel. Also thanx for the upload much appreciated 👍

[@jackmurphy6691]

Does anybody know if the Phantom Menace was ever dramatised? Absolutely love, the work done on all of your uploads.

[@SkullMan19]

Thank you for uploading this, my copy of this audio drama were destroyed years ago and I've been looking for it for years. I used to listen to this trilogy over and over again when I was a kid, and can't wait to do it again!

[@SkullMan19]

Also, the photo album in the description was a very nice touch

[@NinjaSushi2]

Wow Captain Thrawn. Before Admiral Thrawn.

[@JayBe79]

Grateful for the upload, love these SW audio dramas.

[@seanodonnell9826]

About a year ago, likely just before you uploaded this, I searched forever to find these audio dramas but to no avail! I scoured the internet and even tried the library system, the few that existed were either far away or were recently reported missing, it was very frustrating. Eventually I found a torrent for them, in fact I searched for it now on YT because if someone hadn't uploaded it I was going to, figured I couldn't be the only one that loved and missed this story. Likely I'm the same as many commenting on here, I loved the games growing up and had these books, I hope the EU content gets out there to younger SW fans. Thanks for putting it up, you're doing Star Wars fans a great service, somewhere where they can enjoy more stories from Lucas' universe without having to wade through the dianoga infested trash compactor that is the sequel trilogy.

[@seanodonnell9826]

Also for those that have never checked out the audio dramas made for the original trilogy, I definitely recommend them! They came out at some point in the 80's and were broadcast on NPR. It contains a lot of the deleted scenes that didn't make the cut for the movies.

[@elessar2777]

Thank you for this, I love closing my eyes and listening to Star Wars radio dramas.

[@shotmasta]

Instant subscribed...thanks for this, was looking for audiobooks with background sounds and all...perfection

[@Faz1o]

Thank you so much for uploading these, I have tinnitus and need something on in the background to fall asleep too and these are perfect!

[@patrickpalen931]

Omg this is amazing. I grew up listening to Rebel Agent, but was never able to find Part 1 or 2 to listen to. Thank you!

[@amodsinyan.2151]

Thank you for uploading this I’ve been looking forward to this and the books are expensive finally can enjoy my favorite Star Wars series.

[@georgevega794]

Indeed this was a great book to hear, also my favorite moment was when Kyle Katarn is hanging out with his military freiends.

[@Shorty_Hutch]

Thanks for this, the true star wars. Currently playing through the games so I thought I'd listen to this again

[@AlfoidianChronicler1515]

Expanded universe + this is Canon = loving it

[@basslvck]

indeed

[@prince-solomon]

Kyle & Jan, this dream team & audio drama is infinitely better than Rogue One or anything Disney Wars has produced. The Extended Universe will always be true Star Wars. This audio drama is so well made, true to the book and yet so well adapted & acted. Thanks for the upload & the cool photo album link!

[@ironmaskofhell1877]

Star Wars had way more audio dramas then I had thought.

[@NinjaSushi2]

They have tons are they're AMAZING!

[@glytchd]

YES! This is why, even the (old) New Prequels were pretty Trashy (except lightsaber battles, derp) But SRSLY: Thrawn Trilogy *Should Have Been* any new Star Wars. RIP '90s, FTW!

[@NinjaSushi2]

@@glytchd they might reveal Thrawn in the Mandolorian. I didn't mind ever prequels.

[@jhonviel7381]

this takes me back... thanks for the upload

[@codygottman2642]

I fell asleep to this caset as a kid! So amazing

[@MrPoke]

I went ahead and enabled auto-captions for the trilogy for those who need it. It may not be the best, but it does the job. For some reason, youtube doesn't automatically enable them anymore.

[@swagromancer]

This is so good. I was afraid it wouldn't hold up after all this time, but it totally does. It's even better than I remember. Thank you for keeping the true Star Wars alive.

[@lizab4208]

This is fantastic thank you so much! I Looook forward to more!

[@UnlimitedDreggs]

Dude, thank you for posting this! I listened to this years ago and loved it, but it’s been removed from Audible and the previous KZbin upload I found was removed too. It’s nearly impossible to find a physical copy as well.

[@Twoandthree_five]

Thank you a thousand times, thank you.

[@NinjaSushi2]

This.

[@basslvck]

all three parts ?!?!?!?!? that is Killer and TY

[@michaelclark587]

Ditto.

[@tardarsauce3355]

How have I not discovered this before? I was obsessed with this game in my childhood

[@paulavallejos1501]

I love his voice and the way he tells the story!!! 😍

[@Rayniz604]

Youre the man. I cannot find anywhere to buy these books

[@NinjaSushi2]

This audio drama is phenomenal!! Like wowzers.

[@motherbrain86]

playing the ps store version of jedi outcast while listening to this for the umpteenth time and loving it

[@goldman77700]

Can't go wrong with any game with Kyle Katarn. They're all masterworks.

[@MalabarTheGreat]

​@@goldman77700 I held out hope for a new Jedi Knight taking place after Academy, but I knew it wouldn't happen once The Force Unleashed was announced.

[@goldman77700]

@@MalabarTheGreat Truly a dark day in Jedi gaming.

[@HomecavePictures]

Holy moly this is so good

[@NinjaSushi2]

Thank you again for this!

[@allenlovell1604]

I seem to remember reading various StarWars novels and graphic novels dealing with various characters and scenarios. That said, I'm glad I tripped across these adaptations, and I'm looking forward to more of these being posted as they're available and uploaded to KZbin. Thanks.😊

[@mikelord2763]

Kind of funny, I recognize one of the voice actors (playing many supporting parts) as one the regulars on the old NPR Prairie Home Companion show...

[@randysavage1]

Who remembers when star wars games had actual actors? Like in dark forces 2: jedi knight Lucas arts at its finest

[@MrPoke]

FMV games are underrated. Rebel Assault 2 also had cutscenes with actors

[@NinjaSushi2]

@@MrPoke yeah they were. Wasn't red alert one of the first to use it?

[@goldman77700]

​@@NinjaSushi2Yes I think so.

[@MartinSosna]

Thank you so much for this. This is a treasure from the 90s. :- )

[@antonsmith4617]

Your a legend for this 👍🏽👍🏽

[@RurouniKenshin05]

I literally just found out about this audio drama a few days ago. It's incredibly rare to find an official physical copy these days. Do you own the set personally?

[@MrPoke]

Yeah I found the trilogy box set cheap a few weeks ago.

[@RurouniKenshin05]

Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Do you mind if I ask where you found it? Have you played any of the dark forces/jedi knight games?

[@MrPoke]

@@RurouniKenshin05 yeah of course I've played the Dark Forces games! I found the box set on a site called Poshmark. It's mostly a clothing website but sometimes there's star wars stuff on there(I found the entire Fate of the Jedi book series, hardcover, for $50).

[@RurouniKenshin05]

@@MrPoke Thanks!

[@XIsleTheWanderer]

I just found out about this just now. Couldn't be happier. I love the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight games - never knew there were audio dramas.

[@Thought0fEspress0]

damn this is so good! playing dark forces 2 and listening to this.

[@TheGgrrmanning]

Thrawn AND Jerec in the same scene, I this could have been a movie.

[@RaikenXion]

Oh man i just sooo wish, its disheartening and very frustrating to know Disney's Lucasfilm are literally sitting on a gold mine of awesome Star Wars Stories, tons that they could have adapted, very easily. And even when i've heard some young fans and even sequels fans defend Disney, saying they shouldn't be bound by old stories; Lucasfilm could have had it both ways. They could have followed a pattern, one year they make a adaptation of one EU story, the next year they make a totally "Original" brand new story; that way there would be something for every type of fan, young and older. I just hate Disney, they're spiteful, ignorant and very greedy.

[@devenburkhart1264]

I hope they do a ledgends show kinda like Marvel's what if. Could be EU content.

[@RaikenXion]

​@@devenburkhart1264 If they did it would never be straight adaptations because that would mean Disney have to pay royalties to ALL those authors who built up the stories that became the EU, all of them. Also the story group would twist and subvert EVERYTHING in those stories to make it similar to a 25% difference, and especially if it's a "What If...?" style, that would actually allow them to get around adapting those characters exactly how they are in those books; so they would be totally different to those stories, and then what would be the point? I just don't think a Legends show could ever happen, the only EU characters that can be reintroduced into live-action canon, are the ones Disney agree to pay royalties for; they seem to have a nice deal worked out with Timothy Zahn, which is why Thrawn has made appearance.

[@ackbarfan5556]

Wait, what time was that? I'm trying to find that audio snip-it where Thrawn actually gets under Jerec's skin.

[@NinjaSushi2]

2:18 hahaha one thousands hours must have sounded like a lot in 1997.

[@joshkellemen5931]

I borrowed this from my small town library on tape and let it put me to sleep so many times

[@BryanWhite-zr5mq]

nate donar:RIMMEEERRRR!!!!, listened to this and the sequals more than 10 times, enjoy these so much, nice cameos from thrawn,lando & the jizz wailers

[@lonestarwolfentertainment7184]

As much as I love Andor he is a watered down version of Kyle Katarn WITHOUT the badass Force Powers, all the things his show is praised for we literally had with Soldier For The Empire and much much more.

[@bencarpenter4869]

Kyle Kataarn is canon for me!!

[@metro25production]

the whole EU is canon for me

[@fizzy4877]

@@metro25productionexactly

[@contemplateboxing5634]

Is the actor for Kyle Katarn the same gentleman that voice acted Raiden in the Metal Gear Solid series?

[@megashawnx4427]

He does sound like Quinton Flynn!

[@RayR]

The entire team responsible for this did a fantastic job.

[@deadringerfpv6412]

Great story. Disney had all the magic they needed in the EU.

[@DreamwalkerFilms]

And they screwed that pooch to kingdom come

[@OGSpaceMarine]

I miss you Star Wars legends, I wish Disney didn’t buy you and ruined the franchise 😔

[@TheNikoBellic2008]

We all do man, but it's up to you what's real and what isn't. For many of us the original extended universe will always be the real Star Wars, no matter what a corporation tells us.

[@OGSpaceMarine]

@@TheNikoBellic2008 Thanks man I needed to hear that 😭

[@STEFMods]

Thank you for upload.

[@rzalman96]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you

[@carlthevisitor8422]

Here we have exactly what star wars fans want, and exactly what Disney WILL NOT DO.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

1000 hours of media storage ? Not much data capacity in those droids long ago and far away....

[@mscapeh4451]

Would have been so good if they had used the real kyle katarn voice actor

[@valiantredneck]

Good stuff. Thank you.

[@glytchd]

Imagine if Jolly-Wood had actually made the THRAWN Trilogy, instead of what we got even back in Episode 1.. Hell many of the Star Wars games had better writting & Pacing. RIP 90s, FTW. it was the *Book Series* that allowed it to become awesome...

[@historicalmemories5938]

This is insane !

[@EmmettLaFave]

Hell yeah

[@RevanMartinez]

AMAZING!!! This is the REAL Star Wars .

[@TheVileOne]

Technically, there is no real Star Wars.

[@RevanMartinez]

@@TheVileOne “It’s real to me!!!” (Star killer Screaming)

[@thewewguy8t88]

honestly i always felt like it was a shame that there was never any movies about dark froces.

[@RevanMartinez]

@@thewewguy8t88 Thankfully we got the video games and audiobooks at least

[@Killerwhale317]

Listening to this while playing Kotor. 🙃

[@liammackay2061]

Listen to this while playing Dark Forces 🤭

[@davidbuck1614]

I have every legends book almost 200. Id love to get something going to have all of them converted to audio dramas, im currently collecting all the comic books of legend n want to do the same for them. Idealing get an app or channel that can house the whole collection.

[@maxmustardman298]

Wooo one that slipped through the copyright filter cracks it seems

[@MrPoke]

All of the audiodramas have. Disney doesn't care about them

[@maxmustardman298]

@@MrPoke Ive tried uploading Nightlily, that didn't come through, but that might be bc of my location in the EU where youtube probably bears down harder

[@MrPoke]

@@maxmustardman298 nightly is still being sold on the Google store, maybe that's why

[@thewewguy8t88]

@@MrPoke i am glad that is the case :)

[@chroniccrusader885]

Omfg this is a 💎

[@justusbowman]

Unfortunately, Rogue One is probably the closest thing we'll ever get to Kyle and Jan.

[@justusbowman]

@mrmegarock58 No clue, man. lol I'm rather new to much of this (the EU), though I did play all the Dark Forces games, read the novellas, and listen to the first of the audio dramas. Going to listen to more soon!

[@macIain]

I still think they should just rename them and have them survive Rogue One then continue the Kyle Dark Forces Arc, which would lead onto Mara Jade being his apprentice and would set up her joining Luke New Jedi Order at Yavin where Mara and all the other students including potentially Kyle could face off against the ghost of Exar Kun.

[@triple-d2640]

The woman explaining the Death Star sounds like The Boss from MGS3

[@PxNxWxGxW]

When the books are more fun than that Disney crap.

[@DragonFist9323]

​@OptimusSkywalker97amazing show to sleep

[@Mistufer7]

Best book so far

[@DLAbaoaqu]

My rule about STAR WARS: “If it’s by Disney, it’s not canon”.

[@santaclause7394]

awesome ty

[@SpScarletSpider]

It's amazing how much Disney ripped off of the Dark Forces series for stuff like Rogue One, the Mandalorian, and Andor. Case in point: Jyn Erso = Jan Ors Cassian Andor = Kyle Katarn Orson Krennic = Rom Mohc Vader involved in the plot of Rogue One to oversee Krennic = Vader involved in the plot to oversee Mohc Deathtroopers = Darktroopers Mando's Darktroopers = Darktroopers Mon Mothma making an appearance in Rogue One = Mon Mothma showing up in Dark Forces Rogue One revolved around the Death Star plans being recovered and sent to Leia = Dark Forces' first mission was about retrieving the plans and sending them to Leia I could go on and on, but it shows how incredibly unoriginal Disney was that they needed to rip off as much as they did.

[@MrPoke]

Kanan and Hera from the Rebels cartoon were also based on Kyle and Jan. They even used the same voice actors from the games. Even some pseudo-darktroopers appeared in Rebels, as well as Mando. I like Rogue One and Andor but I can admit that they can get pretty unoriginal at times.

[@DragonFist9323]

​@@MrPokeKanan is inspired by Rahm Kota

[@MalabarTheGreat]

Is Jerec's VO the one from DF2? Sounds similar.

[@michaelbellonis]

I'm happy I can adore both the EU and the current canon.

[@Reactiontime1118]

You are my Hero

[@anonymousforagoodreason2479]

Bro, mo collins is jan ors? Thats hilarious Edit: and awesome

[@uncledaddy4625]

PLEASE FORGIVE ENGLISHE I AM RUSSIA I LIKE THE STAR WAR SO VERY NICE, I LIKE WHEN DARK VADER DO HIS FORCE CHOKE ON LUCKY SKYWALKER, HE SAY ‘YOUR LACK OF FAITHS IS GIVING ME A VERY BIG DISTURB’

[@justusbowman]

I don't believe you're Russian, but I got a laugh anyway.

[@d4arken3ds0ul]

I see people saying this is three parts. I only see two. Is part 3 a separate video?

[@MrPoke]

They're on my channel. Next one is Rebel Agent, followed by Jedi Knight

[@d4arken3ds0ul]

@@MrPoke ah ok so they meant all three dramas lol. I was obviously confused

[@BryanWhite-zr5mq]

wonder if kyles buddy odom at one point quit the imps and went on to become a true blue b or mor monk(brain in a jar)

[@jeffersongrigg893]

Is this part 1 of the audio drama series?

[@MrPoke]

Yes, you can find the 2nd part, Rebel Agent, and the 3rd part, Jedi Knight, on my channel.

[@motherbrain86]

RIMMMMEEEERRRR!!!!!!

[@triple-d2640]

46:01 Personal timestamp

[@joshkellemen5931]

Jan!

[@internetsurfer3825]

Just finished reading, hyped to read the next two books. I like the voice acting in the video games better, but this is still epic. Just beginning to dip into the EU!

[@Driftking305forlife]

I love the fact that Thrawn is in this book.

[@BrianMerkey]

I always wonder why they have voice actors that sound so OLD? I'm an old guy myself, at 51yrs old, but some of these characters are youthful, but sound ancient, even in the terms they use. Calling someone a "blowhard" - that term is from the 1950s 🤓 2nd act starts out with Luke + Biggs from the original Star Wars radio drama though, so that's cool 😎 🤓

[@MalabarTheGreat]

I wish they'd gotten Jeff Bennett or Jason Court for Kyle. Never liked the MOTS voice actor, especially since he went on to voice Luke in all of the EU games.

[@Endoe.McKronic]

Is Grand Admiral Thrawn canon?

[@MrPoke]

He is in the old Expanded Universe and the new Disney canon

[@alexmickschl5190]

TAKE A DRINK EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS "INDEED" OR "SO YOU SAY"....

[@dangerousboxx666]

RIP Nathan didn't really do anything wrong.

[@CFunk99]

47:15 1:41:39

[@Jenema2]

Kyle sounds a lot like Luke lol

[@AncientRylanor69]

Au

[@misakijara4364]

O no está en español latino y si quieren español de España que es mala suerte y mi lector no les títulos si es que lo subiera que piña

[@NinjaSushi2]

1:35:50 most wanted man in the Empire but they don't have facial scanning when he entered the spaceport. Lol this writing is cheesy!! Buuuuut the voice acting is quite good.

[@NinjaSushi2]

The only problem I have with this story is how cheesy the cadet leader thing is. No cadet is going to boss around a Sergeant Major. Lol also the only thing the SMG does is repeat what the cadet says to his men.

[@kubrickenigma7977]

Well... It is the Empire... in a galaxy far far away...

[@NinjaSushi2]

@@kubrickenigma7977, I also liked how Kyle Katarn is the most Wanted Man in the Empire and yet he can get through any Spaceport without facial recognition. The writing is cheese but the voice acting is good. Like cheese and wine.

[@kubrickenigma7977]

@@NinjaSushi2 All true, and great sound editing. It gets more ridiculous everytime I listen to it, though it is comforting for a couple hours as it puts me in a younger less stressed head space (which, in younger days, is when the cassettes were released and I borrowed then from the library). It's a nostalgic audio vacation, and despite its weaker moments the production manages to prompt the imagination to unveil the movie in the mind.