The new The Force Engine is definitely better than XL Engine.
You can download it from here - https://theforceengine.github.io/downloads.html

Developer is actively still improving it, so check the updates time to time!

You can also play The Force Engine (up to 4K) with steam client:
1. Make backup your "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox" contents.
2. Extract all files from arhive to your "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox" and rename "TheForceEngine.exe" to "dosbox.exe".
3. Launch game normally.

If you still want to try the old XL Engine you can do that following the guide below.

Downloading XL Engine archive:
1. Download the XL Engine here - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgQSCQ_MIQthi1BhUfbPJ7pPFwCn

2. Here is how to install the XL Engine:

- Delete or Backup your files in DosBox directory, leaving the DosBox directory intact.
("Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox")

- Copy everything (from XL_Engine_Release_02.zip) to your "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces" dir

- move XLengine_Launcher.exe and DarkXL.exe into your empty DosBox folder. ("Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox")

- Rename XLengine_Launcher.exe to dosbox.exe, launch with steamclient.


- Click to the Star Wars: Dark Forces Picture (left side of the launcher)

- Set your Dark Forces data path "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\Game"








- Run & Exit game

- Rename dosbox.exe back to XLengine_Launcher.exe (at your "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox" dir)

- Rename DarkXL.exe to dosbox.exe (at your "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox" dir)

Right click at you dosbox.exe at your "Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox" dir, then Properties, Compatibility tab and click "Run this program in compatibility mode" to "Windows XP SP3".

If you get the black screen and only see your gun and hear sounds, then disable the bloom in the options menu.

3. If you already haven't installed the OpenAL, you can download it here - https://www.openal.org/downloads
http://support.focus-home.fr/oalinst.exe (OpenAL32.dll error).

Set the compatibility mode to Windows 7 and run as administrator.

4. There is custom fix made by "donrevan". It fixes some of the bugs that the engine have:

- Nar Shadda crash fix
- Possible to pickup mortar gun and the assault cannon
- Reset Life, health and stuff like that

Requirements:
This is compiled via msvc10 so you need the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86) in order for it to work properly, you can download it here - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8328

Install:
1. Download the fix from here - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgQSCQ_MIQthi1FnzRV-Hrv4YUfK
2. Extract contents of the archive to:
"...\Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces"
"...\Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\DosBox" and
"...\Steam\SteamApps\common\Dark Forces\Game"

If evething is working you should see a text "Alpha 9.50 DarkFX" in the lower right corner of the screen in the main menu.

If you experience crashes or don't want to enable a certain fixes, just open "darkxl_fix.ini" via your favorite text editor. You can use true/false to enable or disable a certain options in the patch.

It's recommended to change settings under [Reset] everything to "false", otherwise you start with max stats and lives on each level.

5. Run the game like usual (all the Steam features are present).

Next I will tell how to get through some glitches and bugs.

6. There is a bug in the "Ramses Hed Docking Port" level, in the boxed section of the level where you have to use switches to move block to the right position to get over the caps. But it won't work like it supposed to.

Solution:
You can just jump to get over the other side (and finally to the large elevator).

7. At level "Nar Shaddaa, the Vertical City: The Death Mark" you most likely encounter crash.

FIX:

- Right-click on the game title under the Library in Steam and select Properties.
- Under the General tab click the Set launch options button.
- Type "-nosound"
- After you complete the level, delete the "-nosound" parameter.

8. At start of the "The Executor" level the door can't be opened.

Solution:
You can just blow it up!

9. At later part of this level there is 5 switch puzzle. Sadly this puzzle can't be solved. But there is a way to complete the level.

Solution:
You can go through doors. First press "G" key and keep it down, then go forward through closed door (use the elevator to go up to the door).


Edit: According to "Colonel " it is possible to complete the puzzle by using this pattern - https://gyazo.com/fc1b533fca3cbda4c9f21b19fd1993b3

Also after defeating the final Boss the door won't open and you have to go through the door again to the shuttle and exit the level.

It is recommended to uncheck "always keep this game up to date" to keep the XL Engine files intact.

Because there are no info in the game, so here are the controls you will need:

F1 - P.D.A.
F2 - Night Vision Goggles
F4 - Gas Mask
F5 - Head Lamp

If you want to use secondary attack (normally R) with Right Mouse Button, you can download this config file - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgQSCQ_MIQthgZ4dfGBq3sgPjo8E0w?e=kovNI8

Keep in mind, that this is very early version of engine and you will encounter some other bugs or glitches. We can only hope, that they will be fixed in next version.

There are no solutions yet for:
- run game with onboard GPUs;
- turn down or mute the music volume;
- using the Packaered Mortar Gun, Stouker Concussion Rifle and Assult Cannon;
(Packaered Mortar Gun & Assult Cannon possible fixed by donrevan ?)
- no music in cutscenes;
- exploding the white barrels;
- killing the mouse droids (can't collect batteries);
- no end game cinematics.

If you really stuck or you just want to end the level in some reason, you can do this:

bring down the console (ˇ key, at US keyboard, it's different key with other keyboards) and type "g_mission_complete 1".

and some other cheat codes the engine have:
lapostal (full shields/health, all weapons)
lamaxout (full ammo and all weapons)
lacds (full map, though I thought this was supposed to toggle, it appears permanent)
labrady (full ammo)
laredlite (freeze/unfreeze enemies)


Enjoy the game!


Big thanks for Lucius for making this great engine!