I've been long awaiting for DarkXL to release, but it seems his focus is on Daggerfall and updates on the site are few and far between. Looks like a long wait for the beta version, let alone first official release.

Messing around with the Dosbox configurator I was able to improve the graphics a bit. I changed the scaling engine to hq2x. Anyone tried that? Maybe there are other combinations that work best...

That sounds like something to try. Could you please explain how to do that?
Thanks

Sure. Inside the game's folder there is a Dosbox configurator. On the tab advanced settings I changed
*Scaling Engine to hq2x
*on window resolution I put mine(1920x1080)
*keep aspect ratio ticked(don't remember if I changed this or not)
On the tab basic settings I tried messing around with the different options but all of them seemed similar to me, so I left it on Direct3D. Idk if these are the best settings but sure improve the game a bit then Save Settings ------->Start Game That's what I've done, if anyone have a better combination of the options I would like to know about.

Inside the installation folder there will be a .conf file somewhere that stores these settings. It can be edited manually (this is what you'd do with DOSBox if GOG didn't provide a configurator). There are higher scaling options for 3x. Might even be possible to get others using customized DOSBox installs. The available options in the DOSBox version I used are:

none, normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x

The resolution stuff is just for scaling the display to your monitor screen, but how much of a difference the renderer makes I've no idea. I used openglnb rather than Direct3D. The possible options in the DOSBox version I used are:

surface, overlay, opengl, openglnb, ddraw

I imagine ddraw is the Direct3D option that the GOG configurator uses.

Worth noting : "Can the game be completed with DarkXL?"

I tried what you suggested. Oddly, I can see a difference in the mission selection menu and briefing (writng seems different) but not in game.

That may be it. When I first installed and played the graphics seemed to me like I was playing in a 386 back in the 80s, changing the settings seemed to me like I was playing on a warcraft 2 pc era, something like doom but not as nice(In conclusion, it seems less pixelated). I guess there is no big difference in the end. The DarkXL is the only answer ATM but as I understand(correct me if I'm wrong) it's a bit of a bet, you may or not be able to finish the game. Still, great work done by that guy. Reviving a classic is much appreciated. I remember playing Dark Forces as a kid but at the time I didn't understand a word in english and didnt know much what I was doing in the game, but I was having a blast, I think I was about 10-12.

It is the main point of GoG: Reviving a classic. Dark Forces is what I consider to be the game that made me a gamer, and gaming my hobby; so I'm fine playing it like this. DarkXL may come one day and I'll try but for players who knew the game at the time, it's a plus, not essential

True, agreed. Gog is really doing great with this releases! I wait anxiously the coming of Dark Forces II!

With the Mysteries of the Sith expansion, I hope. :)

Or Rebel Assault 1&2

In the end, I think all these games will be released :)

It's just a matter of time.

I have this weird problem in the XL version: I can't pick up and use certain weapons (morter gun, concussion rifle, assault cannon). Does anyone have the same problem ?