Organ Trail: Director's Cut

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Organ Trail: Director's Cut is a zombie-themed survival game, inspired by the classic Oregon Trail series. Players must lead a group of survivors across a post-apocalyptic US, managing resources, encountering various obstacles, and making tough decisions to ensure their survival. The game features retro graphics, challenging gameplay, and multiple endings.

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Play Modes

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,075 reviews

gameplay65 positive mentions

stability22 negative mentions

A fun twist on the classic Oregon Trail with a zombie apocalypse theme.
Engaging gameplay with meaningful decision-making and resource management.
Humorous writing and random events keep each playthrough fresh and entertaining.

Controls for shooting can be awkward and difficult to master.
Some achievements are broken and may not unlock properly.
Gameplay can become repetitive after a few runs, limiting long-term replayability.

gameplay
249 mentions
26 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Organ Trail: Director's Cut" is a nostalgic homage to the classic Oregon Trail, featuring simple yet engaging mechanics that blend resource management with zombie survival elements. While many players appreciate the retro aesthetic and the strategic decision-making involved, criticisms arise regarding the repetitive nature of gameplay and the clunky shooting mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a fun and addictive journey, especially for fans of the original.
- “I enjoyed my time with the game even if it is simple in gameplay and design, very charming.”
- “Made with a lot of love, and handles the Oregon Trail type gameplay brilliantly.”
- “The gameplay is simple but really intense: you and 4 other survivors (which you can name however you like) travel in a car from landmark to landmark.”
- “Whilst they do some things well, like the retro look, feel and sound, it fails to make up for the dreary gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is tiring and the shooting mechanic is awkward.”
- “I found it repetitive, and all the progress I made was too easily wiped out by completely random mechanics and technical problems, making the game more frustrating than fun.”
graphics
165 mentions
25 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are predominantly described as retro, featuring simple pixel art reminiscent of classic titles like Oregon Trail and early arcade games. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and fitting aesthetic, others criticize the outdated visuals as lacking depth and detail. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the gameplay and thematic elements, appealing primarily to fans of old-school gaming.
- “The retro pixel art style used in the game adds a nostalgic charm to the experience.”
- “The visuals effectively capture the retro aesthetic of the original Oregon Trail while providing a fitting backdrop for the zombie-infested world.”
- “The graphics are simple but really fit the tone of the game.”
- “Graphics are a little too old.”
- “At first this game seems okay, despite the archaic graphics and gameplay.”
- “If you prefer graphics-heavy experiences, just play something else.”
humor
155 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, dark undertones, and numerous references to pop culture and the original Oregon Trail, making it a delightful experience for players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through random events and character interactions, while some note that the humor compensates for a lack of deep narrative. Overall, it is described as a hilarious and engaging parody that successfully blends nostalgia with a comedic twist on the zombie apocalypse theme.
- “The game also has a great sense of humor, reliably making me chuckle at every stop or settlement.”
- “Organ Trail captures the feel and adventure of that classic game, with enough humor, unlockables, and a healthy dose of large pixelated gore to satisfy my inner child and outer adult.”
- “This game is hilarious with all the zombie references and dialogue and all the stupid things your teammates do to cause you more irritation.”
music
129 mentions
51 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, retro 8-bit style that perfectly complements the pixel graphics and overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as "amazing," "killer," and "haunting," contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience. However, some players expressed disappointment over the replacement of the original music with a modern soundtrack that they felt was less fitting for the game's theme.
- “The soundtrack is amazing, and I cannot recommend this game enough!”
- “The soundtrack is killer and makes you want to keep playing.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible and Ben Crossbones' musical talent lends itself perfectly, creating a wondrous, lonesome, tense, and tragic air to the whole game.”
- “Why on earth did they have to replace the original midi music with hipster/beatnik lounge music, fit for listening to while sitting on a velveteen couch, holding a brandy snifter?”
- “The new soundtrack doesn't even sound remotely appropriate for a zombie survival/apocalypse game; it sounds like something that should be on SimTrain or SimCity.”
- “The 8-bit music does get a bit annoying after a while, and I found myself usually turning it off and playing my Spotify playlist instead.”
story
112 mentions
17 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as simple and lacking depth, with many players noting a desire for more character development and plot twists. While the humor and atmosphere are appreciated, the narrative often feels repetitive and linear, leading to limited replayability. However, the random events and player-driven storytelling elements provide a unique experience, allowing for varied playthroughs despite the overall simplicity of the plot.
- “The story and atmosphere were cool.”
- “The storyline is simple, though the random events that happen cause every single playthrough to be different.”
- “It's one of those video game experiences in which the game only makes the rules, while you make the story in your head, and I think this is the strongest point here.”
- “The weakest point of the game is the finale; it's a final, incredibly tense mission, where success means victory and failure means back to square one.”
- “Overall the game is repetitive and boring with a dull storyline.”
- “This game may be fun for the first playthrough, but eventually the game gets repetitive and once you finish the story there is no point in playing it anymore because you have unlocked almost everything.”
replayability
91 mentions
48 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to random events, multiple difficulty levels, and various unlockables that encourage repeated playthroughs. However, some reviewers note limitations stemming from a lack of significant branching paths and a linear storyline, which can diminish long-term engagement. Overall, while many find it enjoyable and replayable, others suggest it may not hold up for extended periods.
- “No playthrough is the same, so it offers a lot of replay value.”
- “The game has excellent replay value, plenty of easter eggs, mini-games, and humor.”
- “Randomly generated events make for a lot of replayability and the wide range of achievements to keep you playing.”
- “Limited replayability: despite random events, the overall lack of significant branching paths or choices may limit the game's long-term replayability.”
- “Even with the DLC, there's no replayability here and the achievements are broken.”
- “The replayability in this game is high, since it's completely random.”
atmosphere
30 mentions
53 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, blending a post-apocalyptic setting with engaging sound design and a unique retro aesthetic. Players appreciate the combination of humor, dread, and nostalgia, which enhances the overall experience, making it both charming and haunting. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates players and adds depth to the narrative.
- “The soundtrack is honestly amazing, the gameplay is engrossing, and the atmosphere is really cool.”
- “The apocalyptic atmosphere is unique and awesome.”
- “The quirky graphics and chiptune music actually add to the atmosphere, and overall the game doesn't just ride on nostalgia but manages to stand on its own merits.”
- “The idea behind the game and the atmosphere it has are cool, but a clear poor portability from smartphones to computers kind of ruined the game.”
- “There's a definite atmosphere of dread overlying the whole game, but it's a bit too close to the original in most aspects for my taste; I guess I was hoping for a denser narrative.”
- “For what basically amounts to a pixel art and text-based roguelike set in yet another zombie apocalypse, the atmosphere is surprisingly strong.”
stability
23 mentions
13 % positive mentions
-9 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly with achievements and save functionality. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the overall consensus is that the bugs significantly detract from the experience, making it difficult to recommend. Console versions are noted to be less problematic, but the game's ongoing instability remains a major concern.
- “The overall features were good, bug-free, and provided a great time sink for a few hours.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any major issues, making for a stable and enjoyable experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game is; it allows me to focus on gameplay without worrying about crashes or bugs.”
- “I heard good things about this game, but I found it just too buggy for me to get into.”
- “It's a fantastic game, but I can't recommend it because of how buggy, inconsistent, and annoyingly broken the achievements are.”
- “After all these years, it's still too buggy to justify its existence.”
grinding
13 mentions
0 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive time spent on scavenging and completing tasks without significant rewards. While some appreciate the management elements and random boss fights that break up the monotony, many feel that the overall experience can become boring and overly grind-heavy, detracting from enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “On the harder difficulties, the only way the game gets harder is to make scavenging less productive, so you have to do it more and it becomes more tedious.”
- “In addition to that, it seemed like a really boring game, with not much more to do than look at charts and go scavenging every once in a while, which proved to be quite a tedious and repetitive task, consisting of nothing more than your character slowly walking around and collecting sprites as some zombies, which are just sloppy green figures, walk slowly towards you.”
emotional
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection to their characters, often leading to tears during moments of loss and sacrifice. The game's design, while criticized for pacing issues, enhances the emotional weight of decisions, making players feel deeply invested in the survival of their pixelated companions. Despite its simplistic graphics and mechanics, the emotional impact of the narrative and character fates resonates powerfully with players.
- “For those who have played Faster Than Light (FTL), this is another game that you will get emotionally attached to your characters who die due to lack of planning or random events.”
- “Keeping your friends or enemies alive or putting them down when they've been bitten is a taxing and emotional experience, as odd as that sounds.”
- “You don't understand why you're so emotionally involved with the game; it just happens.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game suffers from a lack of deep narrative, which hinders character development and leaves players desiring more substantial storytelling elements and plot twists. While the humorous tone is appreciated, it fails to capitalize on the potential for richer character arcs, reminiscent of the minimalistic storytelling in games like Oregon Trail.
- “The game has a great setup that can offer real character development, but unfortunately, it misses that opportunity.”
- “It needs some more character development.”
- “The narrative lacks deep storytelling elements, potentially leaving players wanting more in terms of character development or plot twists.”
- “The game needs more character development.”
optimization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for various technical issues, including crashes, performance problems, and improper fullscreen functionality, which detracts from overall stability and user experience. Additionally, claims of full controller support have proven unreliable, with reports of stuttering during gameplay.
- “The game suffers from occasional technical issues, including crashes and performance problems, affecting overall stability.”
- “Fullscreen mode didn't work properly, with the game taking up a quarter of my screen for some reason. The apparent 'full controller support' didn't work, and the game kept stuttering.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, indicating that the developers prioritize profit over the game's quality and player experience.
- “I'd steer clear from this; the developers clearly made it for a cash grab and don't care about its current state.”
- “The monetization is so aggressive that it ruins the overall experience of the game.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it feel like a chore to enjoy the game.”