The best stories teach us lessons, and Star Wars is overflowing with them. Though the events that unfolded a long time ago involve Jedi, clone troopers, bizarre creatures, and many more elements that seem much more exciting than anything happening in our world, there are several takeaways.
Now more than ever, there’s a whole lot of Star Wars out there for every kind of fan. Whether you’re into the books, TV, comics, or just the medium where everything began — movies. That doesn’t mean it all has to remain separated, though. Stories, history, and sometimes even lessons can carry over from one movie, book, or what have you to the next. In some cases, there are even lessons to be learned from Star Wars movies that apply right back into Star Wars games. And so here we’ve compiled a list of just some of the lessons that will make Star Wars moviegoers into better Star Wars gamers.
1. Assemble the Right Team
From The Force Awakens to Rogue One, Star Wars is almost always about teamwork. In fact, this whole Star Wars thing started (at least in real-world time) with Leia, Luke, Han, and Chewie in A New Hope coming together all those decades ago. Their message of cooperation is still applicable today, even in games. Games like Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, for instance, which tasks players with assembling squads from…a galaxy of heroes. Whether they be bruisers, combat support, or healers, it’s best to have a healthy mix of allies for every situation.
2. There’s Always a Weakness
A New Hope taught us that even something as all-powerful and seemingly impenetrable as the Death Star has its weaknesses. Rogue One taught us that sometimes those weak links are people — perhaps due to a guilty conscience, or just having a conscience in the first place. Whatever the case, this axiom is just as true in games. Whether you’re looking for a lightly defended flank in Battlefront, or need to make a fragile enemy healer your priority in Galaxy of Heroes, survey your opponent to find their weakness. Once you’ve found it, that’s when you strike.
3. Don’t Underestimate Your Enemy
Say what you will about Ewoks, but they were effective. The little critters took on something like a platoon of hardened, better-equipped enemies with sticks, rocks, and ropes. There are a lot of lessons to take away from Return of the Jedi’s final battle — such as not to attack an enemy on their home turf — but one that seems especially poignant for the battle-ready teddies is not to underestimate your enemies. Especially in role-playing games like The Old Republic, where an opponent’s skill is hidden behind invisible numbers selected by the developers. Just because something looks innocuous, doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Even in games.
4. The Dark Side Has its Perks
Listen. We’re not here to advocate turning towards the dark side (down that path lays fear, anger, hate, etc.). Ever since Return of the Jedi, though, we’ve all had to come to terms with the fact that the dark side is more than just red lightsabers and bad moods. It comes with further perks like, say, being able to channel actual lightning from one’s fingertips. In games like The Old Republic, where you have the option to choose between the light and the dark, make sure you consider that fact before brushing evil aside.
5. Sometimes You Need to Take the Initiative
It’s easy to imagine what would have happened if Jyn Erso and the other members of Rogue One hadn’t obtained the Death Star plans. Luke Skywalker would never have destroyed the battle station. Galaxy-wide destruction and oppression would have followed. The bad guys would have won.
Yet Jyn could have never obtained those plans if she’d succumbed to rebel infighting and indecision. Sometimes you have to take the initiative, and do what’s necessary, even if it’s unpopular. In games like Star Wars Battlefront that can mean being the first person to sprint towards an objective. In The Old Republic, it might be using an unorthodox skill at just the right time. Whatever the case, sometimes it’s up to you to take that first step.
