The Oregon Trail helped pioneer the world of computer gaming back in the early 1970s. A simple strategy game combining lessons on resource management and history, the game player traced the historical path of the actual Oregon Trail while fighting virtual bears, bandits, and dysentery.
Fast forward nearly 40 years, and this time-honored title is also available for the iPhone platform. The Oregon Trail still retains its resource management elements, but now various mini-games leverage the iPhone's touchscreen, bringing a bit of gameplay action to the history lesson.
The Oregon Trail for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch Features
- Resource Management Strategy from the Original Game
- 8 Mini-games for Hunting, Fishing, Telegraph, etc.
- Various Side Missions
- Encounters with Historical Figures
- Facebook Connect Integration
Developed by Gameloft, known more for their action and sports titles like Let's Golf, GT Racing Motor Academy, and Real Soccer 2010, the Oregon Trail for the iPhone features an excellent presentation with great graphics and good use of the iPhone's touchscreen and accelerometer on some of the mini-games.
Getting Dysentery on the iPhone
When starting a new game of The Oregon Trail, the user is faced with decisions on the type of wagon, how many to include in the traveling party, and what time of the year to embark on the westward journey. The wagon master for the trip serves as a tutor, especially when explaining how to play the mini-games.
A toolbar at the bottom of the screen controls the speed of the wagon, while a menu at the top of the screen allows access to the map, game status and other information. The graphics are colorful and well-drawn, including both the characters and the screen layouts.
Most of the elements from the original game remain, including bouts with dysentery, random bandit attacks, and so on. At various stopping points along the journey, the user has the option to buy supplies and talk to both strangers and historical figures.
The Oregon Trail Mini-Games Provide Modern Style
The various mini-games are the biggest difference between the iPhone version of The Oregon Trail and the original computer versions. Hunting, fishing, berry-picking, and even working a telegraph machine are some of the included mini-games.
The accelerometer even comes into play when navigating a boat containing the wagon across some of the different rivers out west. Most of these mini-games are quite playable, but sometimes the hunting game gets confused between moving and shooting.
The random attacks by eagles are bears tend to be the most frustrating moments of the game. The witty dialogue between the husband and wife after one of their children gets kidnapped by an eagle almost makes up for the loss.
The Oregon Trail for the iPhone is a worthy heir to the original computer game classic. Fans of the original or those looking for an interesting iPhone strategy game need to download the title from Apple's App Store.
Paul Williams - Paul Williams' unique set of experiences allow him to communicate complex issues in a clear manner, yet still be an entertaining read.
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