Star Wars: Yoda Stories

Star Wars: Yoda Stories is a 1997 computer game based on the Star Wars franchise developed by LucasArts. It was preceded by Indiana Jones and His Desktop Adventures, and no further Desktop Adventures titles were released. In the Star Wars timeline, Yoda Stories is placed between Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, where Luke Skywalker is completing his training with Jedi Master Yoda.

Because of the Random Story nature of the game, it has to be considered non-canon when concerning the stories itself.

Plot summary


Unlike other titles, Yoda Stories has no central plot or definitive goal&mdash;it's a mere collection of random games where the player, controlling Luke Skywalker, has to complete an objective like rescuing Han Solo or Princess Leia, obtain an object, or warn the Rebellion in several locations of the Star Wars universe like Neshtab, Tatooine, and the Forest moon of Endor.

Each game starts with Luke arriving at Dagobah in a X-Wing. If the player is still a rookie, R2-D2 can be picked up, and dropped anytime for hints. After finding Yoda, he gives Luke one assignment and one object that will be required to complete it, and the game begins. Each gameworld is composed by 100 screens, but how many are active can be set in the options. Although it's not required to complete the game, a locator provides information (such as the status of a puzzle) and a way to find out where the player is. It is usually found under a rock, inside a wrecked vehicle or with a person. To progress in the game, the player has to make errands, such as finding a key, or an object, until he reaches the final puzzle. The Force is also present, but in the beginning it must be obtained from the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi. It stops all enemies from moving, and is occasionally required to complete a puzzle.

There are several enemies, from Imperial Stormtroopers and Tusken Raiders to animals, and all can be dealt accordingly with Luke's lightsaber, blasters or thermal detonators (that destroy any enemies in a 3-radius plus sign pattern). As Luke can be also hurt, there are several ways to replenish his health, from health kits and bacta canisters to plants.

In the fifth game, Luke battles Darth Vader, and if successful, the next game he starts with a green lightsaber instead of his father's blue; after 10, he starts with the Force (without the need to find the ghost of Obi-Wan), and finally, after 15 times, with a "Spirit Heart", which gives the player a second life. Unlike Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures, Yoda Stories keeps the number of games beaten and also the highest score.

Indiana Jones is featured in the game as an easter egg.

Critical reaction
The game received poor reviews at the time of the release, mostly because it was decided to review it as a regular game, rather than a "quick break" game replacement to games like Solitaire or Hearts. The graphics are simple bitmaps and regular 32x32 icons, with few animations.

Versions of the game
A Windows version was released in 1997, a Game Boy Color version was released in 1999.