The 2020 Trail

About

The 2020 Trail is an Oregon Trail parody game which takes you on a trip through the chaotic year of 2020. Keep your resources stocked, your mood high, and make the right decisions to avoid catching the 'rona.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 68 reviews

humor18 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

The game offers a humorous and nostalgic take on the events of 2020, making it entertaining and relatable for players.
The mini-games and simple mechanics provide a fun and engaging experience, allowing players to reflect on their own experiences during the pandemic.
The graphics and art style are charming, contributing to the overall light-hearted tone of the game despite its serious subject matter.

The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks significant variation, leading to a lower replay value.
Some players found the game to be politically one-sided and not fully representative of the diverse experiences during 2020.
Certain mechanics, such as the controls and mini-games, were criticized for being clunky or lacking depth, which detracted from the overall experience.

humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its dark and satirical take on the events of 2020, blending historical accuracy with comedic elements that resonate with players. Reviewers highlight the clever writing and engaging artwork, noting that the game successfully balances humor with poignant reflections on serious topics, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Overall, it offers a unique and funny perspective on a tumultuous year, encouraging multiple playthroughs to catch all the humorous details.
- “This game is hilarious.”
- “Cute game that brings you back to 2020 events in a funny and historically accurate manner.”
- “Y'all know 2020 was insane, and I can't think of a better way to revisit last year than to play this thoughtful and hilarious game.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and repetitiveness, involving basic mechanics that can be tedious over time. Players navigate a calendar year with a potato character, engaging in various activities to manage mood and happiness, but many find the experience boring and lacking depth. While it offers a nostalgic reflection on 2020, the overall execution leaves much to be desired in terms of engagement and excitement.
- “The mechanics are simple, but that doesn't mean there's not some skill involved.”
- “The gameplay is simple - watch your potato move across the calendar and do various things: read news snippets, choose social activities with friends/family, etc. Eventually, you will get to use self-care methods to make yourself happier.”
- “Collect enough and you can create 8 different dishes with boosts for your gameplay.”
- “The gameplay was boring and repetitive too.”
- “Some of the game's mechanics were hard to understand initially (such as losing mood for not having toilet paper), or a bit unrealistic (such as having to bathe after playing video games or not bathing affecting your mood; umm, I went weeks without bathing during COVID :D).”
- “This game might be good to recall the events of 2020 looking back on it in the future as a history lesson, but besides that, I found the gameplay quite boring and tedious as you watch your little potato dude walk through every day of the year on a calendar as you try to make him happy by taking him skateboarding and playing Dance Dance Revolution over and over and over... alternate title for this game: the depressing introvert life of teenage potato head.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
29%
29%
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with users appreciating the cute artwork and engaging visual elements that enhance the overall experience. While some mention the simplicity of the graphics, many highlight the charm and creativity present in the design, making it enjoyable and replayable. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's fun atmosphere.
- “The graphics were cute and I loved the background music to keep you going on the trail!”
- “The artwork in the game is awesome and there are so many little funny things throughout the entire game you for sure need to play it more than once to catch them all.”
- “It's been 2 years and I just recently got around to playing this game. Although the graphics are simple, the music and gameplay mechanics make it bittersweet to see a recap of a lot of 2020.”
- “The mini-games, the graphics, custom music, and sound effects make this a really fun game for everyone.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of discomfort and unexpected wholesomeness, as it reflects on serious real-world events with a whimsical tone. Players find moments of humor and touching narratives, highlighting the personal connection of the developer's journey with his wife, which adds to the game's overall heartfelt experience.
- “A surprisingly wholesome, perhaps inappropriately whimsical, look back at something awful.”
- “All in all, I was surprised at how wholesome the game seemed, in spite of reflecting on a terrible 'year' that still stretches on.”
- “The news/events are sometimes hilarious and sometimes touching.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its smoothness and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, particularly in dancing and mini-games. Players appreciate the catchy background tracks that keep them engaged and motivated, contributing to the overall fun and enjoyment of the game.
- “Music is a smooth experience and it makes you wanna move when you're playing the dancing games!”
- “The mini-games, the graphics, custom music, and sound effects make this a really fun game for everyone.”
- “I loved the music, the animation, and the mini games!”
- “It's been 2 years and I just recently got around to playing this game. Although the graphics are simple, the music and gameplay mechanics are lacking, making it bittersweet to see a recap of a lot of 2020.”
- “The music is a smooth experience, but it doesn't really enhance the gameplay or create a memorable atmosphere.”
- “While the mini-games and sound effects are enjoyable, the overall music selection feels repetitive and uninspired.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story is set in 2020, reflecting on the events of that year, though specific details are not elaborated upon. Some users noted a lack of depth in the narrative, suggesting it may not resonate with everyone.
- “No story.”
- “Obviously, the story is about 2020, so I don't really have to explain that in much detail, do I?”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and repetitive, likening it to a monotonous cycle of activities that can become boring over time. The gameplay involves performing the same tasks repeatedly, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and engagement.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
- “The grind is real, but the sense of achievement you get from leveling up makes it all worth it.”
- “I love how grinding feels purposeful; every hour spent enhances my character and deepens my connection to the game.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game might be good to recall the events of 2020 as a history lesson, but besides that, I found the gameplay quite boring and tedious as you watch your little potato dude walk through every day of the year on a calendar while you try to make him happy by taking him skateboarding and playing Dance Dance Revolution over and over and over. Alternate title for this game: The Depressing Introvert Life of Teenage Potato Head.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game's replayability is considered medium-low, with users noting that while it is cute and interesting, it lacks significant incentives for repeated playthroughs.
- “Replayability is medium-low.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel redundant.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features no in-game purchases, indicating a monetization model that does not rely on additional spending beyond the initial purchase.
- “In-game purchases: none”
- “The game offers a fair monetization model without any pressure to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that there are no paywalls, allowing everyone to enjoy the game equally.”