Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures is a 1996 computer game inspired by the Indiana Jones films. This was the first in a series of "Desktop Adventures" games; the second, entitled Star Wars: Yoda Stories, followed a year later. Because LucasArts has not sold this game for many years, it is generally considered abandonware.
Publisher's summary[]
Take an Indy Adventure Break!
Grab your whip and fedora and join in the first-of-its-kind mini-adventure. Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures offers literally billions of games, set in 1930s Mexico, with motley characters, challenging puzzles and a variety of outcomes. With each game averaging under an hour, there's always time for an Indy adventure break.
Plot summary[]
The game is set in mid-1930s Mexico. Indy and Marcus Brody have set up headquarters in the small town of Lucasio from which to conduct excavations at Site R, whereupon they are immediately confronted with a series of mysteries, emergencies and adventures.
Gameplay[]
Indiana Jones traverses Lucasio.
The game is designed as a "casual" adventure game, playable from start to finish in about an hour or less, presenting an alternative to traditional light computer diversions such as Solitaire and Minesweeper, and like those games is played in a small window on the desktop. As Indiana Jones, the player must contend with motley characters, challenging puzzles, and a huge variety of outcomes. The plot and direction of each game is randomly generated at the start, with locations, items and characters being drawn from a data set and varying with each game. Therefore, unlike most Indiana Jones games, the game has no singular narrative, but rather a vast number of possible adventures, each with its own side quests and encounters - billions of different stories are possible, ensuring replayability, though they follow a common formula.
Players go against Dr. Victor Van Loon (a Nazis led by General Anton Schlossberg), Mexican bandits, native warriors, and dangerous animals to complete quests, which can range from recovering various artifacts to rescuing kidnapped characters to investigating strange goings-on. While there are 15 main mission briefs, gameplay is structured around randomly-generated puzzles which generally involve obtaining various items such as tools, keys, antiquities, etc. and using them to gain access to other items. As such, no two games are identical. Perilous encounters reduce health points, which can be restored with health items such as first aid kits or medicinal herbs.
Mission briefs[]
- Aztec Calendar Stone
- "Good Lord, Indy--
There are Nazis here in Mexico, sniffing around for an Aztec CALENDAR STONE they think will magically foretell their triumph in Europe. Such stones certainly did predict the return of Quetzalcoatl in the very year Cortez arrived! Let's see if there really is such a stone. Magical or ordinary, we shouldn't let it fall into Nazi hands.
Here's an item that will help you investigate the situation..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- The Aztec Mirror
- "Hello, Indy--
I've heard some odd rumors in the last few days. According to local tribesmen, those meddling Nazis have found an old AZTEC MIRROR with magical powers. They fear these foreigners will unleash Quetzalcoatl's evil twin, the Smoking Mirror God! We must recover the mirror before Schlossberg's men destroy another priceless treasure!
Here's something to get you started..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Coatlicue Idol
- "Hello, Indy:
A priceless statue of the Mother Goddess COATLICUE has been discovered in Tula, and Van Loon is in charge of the dig site! The man's a thief! He's only posing as a scientist! We should try to recover the thing. The reputation of all archeologists is at stake!
Here's something to get you started..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Crystal Skull
- "Good to see you, Indy--
I'm getting reports on a Toltec Temple whose very existence has never been suspected! Rumors have it there's a priceless CRYSTAL SKULL to be found there. We can't let Van Loon and his henchmen beat us to this site, Indy! YOu must find the skull, if it exists, before it disappears into some private collection!
That this, it will help you on your way..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Eagle Dagger
- "Hello Indy-- bad news, I'm afraid.
Our unscrupulous colleague, Dr. Van Loon, has turned up again. Now he's looking for that Aztec EAGLE DAGGER we heard about. You've got to get it into safe hands before he adds it to his collection.
By the way, there's an item you may find useful..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Funeral Mask
- "My word, Indy, there's no end to the thievery around here.
Pacal Hunac, a leader of the local tribe, traces his family back to a Mayan noble. Now someone has stolen his forefather's FUNERAL MASK. He's afraid the dead man's spirit will take him to Xibalba, the Mayan Hell, if he doesn't recover it. We should help him!
Here's something to get you started..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Gabriela Kidnapped
- "It's an outrage, Indy!
GABRIELA, the woman who runs the cantina right next door, has been kidnapped! You must find her and bring her back safely!
Take this, it will put you on the trail..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- The Jaguar Codex
- "My word, Indy--
Our friends from the Third Reich are here in Mexico hunting for some mysterious Mayan book, something called the JAGUAR CODEX. Apparently they believe it contains chants that will summon Kukulcan from the dead to lead them in battle. Ridiculous, I know... but we should stop them from looting the Yucatan of its fabulous treasures, Mayan books are rare!
Look! Here's something to get you started..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Marcus Kidnapped
- "Uh-oh! Where's Marcus? Wait there's a note on the desk:
IF YOU WANT BRODY ALIVE, BRING ME THE JAGUAR PENDANT!
signed,
SCHLOSSBERG
Hmm, I didn't know Marcus had a Jaguar pendant...
Oh look what's this..." - ―Indiana Jones upon discovering Marcus is missing[src]
- Snake Pendant
- "Indy! There you are!
I head on the grapevine that treasure hunters are hot on the trail of a famous Aztec SNAKE PENDANT once worn by Montezuma himself. You must find it first, Indy-- but be careful, you may have to brave real snakes on the way!
Here's something that may aid your quest..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Mayan Stele
- "I'm glad you turned up Indy--
The Nazis are back, as mystically misguided as ever, hunting for a Mayan STELE they believe will blaze their trail to victory. These stone slabs usually mark the reign of Mayan kings, showing our way to the past, not the future! Let's try to beat the Nazis to this artifact! Recorded history is worth preserving!
Here's something to get you going..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Nacom Returns
- "I hear strange tales, Indy!
Word is getting about that a NACOM, or Mayan war leader, has risen from the dead and is wreaking havoc on the locals. Legends claim that only a special wooden sword with an obsidian blade can harm the thing. You've got to help me put an end to these ridiculous superstitions!
Wait, I almost forgot! A few days ago I cam across an object that will help you..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Pacal Kidnapped
- "Hello, Indy-- that fellow Van Loon is at it again!
His henchmen have kidnapped PACAL HUNCAC, one of the local tribesmen. They think they can force him to reveal the location of some secret tomb. You must rescue the poor man, Indy.
Here's something to help you get started..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- The Spider Lamp
- "Another outrage Indy!
Señor Herrera, a wealthy landowner in these parts, seems to be amassing a private treasure horde. No doubt he plans to sell it overseas to shady collectors and museums. His best piece is a small pottery oil lamp, molded into the shape of a spider. You must retrieve the SPIDER LAMP, Indy-- it's a priceless artifact!
Here's an item that will get you going..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
- Xantar Adventure
- "I'm exhausted, Indy...
...all these rumors of strange doings out there in the jungle have my head spinning. And our crew is spooked; they refuse to report to the dig site. You've got to get to the bottom of this, Indy! The success of our expedition is in jeopardy!
Now take this and leave me alone, I'm a nervous wreck..." - ―Marcus Brody to Indiana Jones[src]
Crew[]
- Project Leader: Hal Barwood
- Story by: Hal Barwood, Wayne Cline
- Game Design by: Hal Barwood, Wayne Cline, Paul LeFevre, Tom Payne,
- Lead Programmer: Paul LeFevre
- Lead Artist: Tom Payne
- Music & Sound Effects by: Clint Bajakian
Appearances[]
Characters[]
- René Emile Belloq (Mentioned only)
- Bonifacio
- Marcus Brody
- Bug-Eyes
- Chico
- Coatlicue (Statue)
- Conchita
- Hernando Cortés (Mentioned only)
- George Flannery
- Gabriela
- Herrera
- Pacal Hunac
- Henry Walton Jones, Senior (Mentioned only)
- Indiana Jones
- José
- Lola
- Montezuma (Mentioned only)
- Nacom
- Quetzalcoatl (Mentioned only)
- Anton Schlossberg
- Temple keeper
- Victor Van Loon
- Von Blimp
Artifacts[]
- Funeral Mask
- Snake Pendant of Montezuma
- Toltec Crystal Skull
- Coatlicue Idol
- Jaguar Codex
- Eagle Dagger
- Calendar Stone
- Mayan Stele
- Spider Lamp
- Aztec Mirror
- Aztec Sword
- Jaguar Pendant
- Strange Idol (C-3PO head)
Locations[]
- China (Mentioned only)
- Europe (Mentioned only)
- Heaven (Mentioned only) (as 'Himmel')
- Mexico
- Planet Xantar (Mentioned only)
- Xibalbá (Mentioned only)
Items[]
- Aztec Shield
- Bag of Sand
- Bamboo Pole
- Blasting Cap
- Bolt Cutter
- Bottle of Nitro
- Bucket
- Bucket of Water
- Chac Mool
- Clay Pot
- Cog Stone
- Cracked Stele
- Crowbar
- Crude Lockpick
- Demon Mask
- Dynamite
- Eagle Helmet
- Fake Map
- Gear
- Goddess Mask
- Gold Idol
- Gold Nugget
- Guitar
- Hammer
- Hatchet
- Headdress
- Incense Burner
- Jade Adze
- Jade Flute
- Jade Statue
- Jaguar Statue
- Keg of Powder
- Ladder
- Lumber
- Map
- Metal File
- Monkey Heart
- Monkey Wrench
- Necklace
- Obsidian Eye
- Obsidian Knife
- Paddle
- Pickaxe
- Pile of Coins
- Plank
- Quetzal Feather
- Rock Drill
- Rock
- Rope
- Sacred Mask
- Screwdriver
- Shovel
- Skull
- Spanish Helmet
- Spark Plug
- Star Sapphire
- Tree Branch
Keys[]
- Alloy Key
- Bone Key
- Brass Key
- Bronze Key
- Copper Key
- Gold Key
- Iron Key
- Jade Key
- Metal Key
- Obsidian Key
- Old Key
- Ornate Key
- Pewter Key
- Silver Key
- Skeleton Key
- Spanish Key
- Steel Key
- Stone Key
Health Items[]
Weapons[]
Vehicles[]
- Biplane
- Boat
- Horse
- Jeep
- Raft
- Von Blimp's airship
- Bug-Eyes's spacecraft
Behind the scenes[]
As with LucasArts' previous Indy game, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, the project was led by Hal Barwood, who wrote the story and designed the game together with production manager Wayne Cline; lead artist Tom Payne and lead programmer Paul D. LeFevre also contributed to the game design. Veteran LucasArts composer Clint Bajakian contributed music and sound effects editing, incorporating brief quotes of the famous "Raiders March" by John Williams.
Perhaps to convey the "lightweight," casual nature of the game, it was sold in minimal packaging - a slim, shrinkwrap-sealed cardboard folder, with an interior pocket for the game floppy disk - quite different from the standard boxes of other LucasArts games of the time.
Because of the tremendous story variation possible, the prospect of incorporating the game narrative in any specific detail into the larger Indiana Jones canon presents considerable difficulty, although the general situation, adventure objectives, principal characters, etc. may be considered canon.
External links[]
- Indiana Beau
- GameSpot review by Editorial staff
- Demo at Download.com
- Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures at TheRaider.net
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