The Oregon Trail

About

The Oregon Trail is a single player casual simulation game with a historical theme. It was developed by Gameloft and was released on November 14, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

The Oregon Trail™ offers a thrilling reimagining of the classic journey westward, where players assemble a traveling party, stock their wagon, and face challenges like blizzards, injuries, and starvation while navigating the frontier. With a mix of historically accurate and extreme events, players make critical choices that shape their adventure and survival. Encounter hunting mini-games, hazardous landscapes, and memorable historic figures along the way.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 928 reviews

story25 positive mentions

stability7 negative mentions

The game successfully modernizes the classic Oregon Trail while maintaining its nostalgic charm.
It features a variety of new journeys, character classes, and quests that enhance replayability.
The graphics and soundtrack are visually appealing and immersive, adding to the overall experience.

The game can feel overly simplistic and lacks the depth and challenge of the original, making it less engaging for some players.
There are issues with the inventory management system, which can be tedious when the wagon breaks.
The price point of $30 is considered too high by many, with suggestions that it should be priced lower for the content offered.

story
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
74%
5%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the main narrative as weak and anticlimactic, while others appreciate the variety of side quests and character interactions that enhance the overall experience. Many users noted the inclusion of historically accurate content and improved representation of Native American perspectives, which adds depth to the storytelling. Overall, while the main story may lack engagement, the abundance of side stories and quests provides a more entertaining and immersive gameplay experience.
- “What I especially loved is that the game doesn’t end after the main story – there are tons of smaller side stories that unlock new content.”
- “The best iteration of the Oregon Trail made thus far, so much obvious care & detail into historical accuracy as well as to its storytelling within game mechanics.”
- “This game adds so much new, expanded flavor with story-rich questing, which will be sure to add a lot more immersion than any other game in the franchise before it.”
- “Don't buy, please. I want my 350 SEK back. The main story is crap.”
- “The main story itself is weak; rather, it's non-existent.”
- “The main story quests are the same every playthrough, no matter what option you pick.”
graphics
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The graphics of the game have received a generally positive reception, with many players appreciating the blend of modern visuals and nostalgic elements from the original Oregon Trail. While some users noted inconsistencies in art styles and a mix of pixel art with 3D models, the overall aesthetic is described as charming, beautiful, and fitting for the game's tone. The updated graphics enhance the gameplay experience, making it visually appealing while still honoring the legacy of the classic title.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the side quests are fun and some are funny to boot!”
- “The updated visuals breathe new life into the journey, making the landscapes and landmarks more captivating than ever before.”
- “Absolutely beautiful graphics.”
- “Graphics are sub par for a newer game.”
- “The mix of 3D models and pixel graphics also felt very jarring to me at first, and I would have preferred the game be fully pixel.”
- “Graphics aren't consistent, such as when entering forts they are nice and modern but gameplay itself is like from late 90's early 2000's.”
gameplay
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The gameplay of the new Oregon Trail iteration has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating the updated graphics and some new mechanics while criticizing the simplification of classic elements and lack of depth. Many find the resource management and party dynamics engaging, but some feel the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks the challenge and variety of the original. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience with modern twists, though some players express disappointment over certain missing features and unbalanced mechanics.
- “The developers have done an exceptional job of preserving the essence of the original game while incorporating modern graphics and gameplay mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is solid; some might find it a bit punishing, but it's all about resource management and gauging how risky you want to make the journey for yourself.”
- “With countless replayability options and a fun, repetitive gameplay that keeps you invested long term.”
- “I didn't like how much of the original mechanics were changed, such as limiting the trading options.”
- “The gameplay is a bit shallow, but it is faithful to the original Oregon Trail games.”
- “The way purchasing and trading works is beyond frustrating and really just designed in a clunky manner because the developers didn't want to spend the time to create realistic gameplay.”
music
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its charm, beauty, and ability to enhance the overall experience. However, some users noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive, particularly in menus, and highlighted concerns about copyright issues for streamers. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's nostalgic and immersive atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack is also really enjoyable!”
- “The music is gorgeous.”
- “Great art style, great music, educational in a fun way, and a bit emotional.”
- “The music of the game is fitting, if a tad repetitive, especially on the menu where you are locked into one song until you unlock more by playing daily and weekly challenges.”
- “It's a really shoddy mobile game version of the Oregon Trail with fully copyrighted music, so you have to play your own music if you are a streamer.”
- “So horrible in fact I had to turn the music completely off & the overall sound way way down.”
replayability
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its diverse modes, multiple paths, and engaging challenges that enhance replay value. However, some reviewers noted limitations due to repetitive mechanics and a lack of additional content, suggesting that while there is potential for replayability, it may not be fully realized without further updates or expansions. Ultimately, the game offers a decent amount of replay value, especially for those who enjoy exploring different strategies and scenarios.
- “The full price is a bit steep, but if you can grab it at a discount, you’ll get a charming, well-crafted adventure with great replay value.”
- “Engaging with a diversity of modes, loads of replay value, and many, many things to collect and challenges for which to hone your skills over many attempts.”
- “Beside the main journey, there are other scenarios, trails (like the California Gold Rush trail), scenarios and challenges you can do to extend your gameplay beside the main trail and it has good replayability value on higher difficulty once unlocked after your first playthrough.”
- “The big downsides are the lack of replayability and unbalanced game mechanics.”
- “However, there seems to be a lack of replayability since it's always the same trail.”
- “As it is, replay value is fairly limited.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and irony, often stemming from the absurdity of death scenes and historical inaccuracies presented in a lighthearted manner. Players find amusement in the game's quirky animations and scenarios, such as characters meeting comical fates or engaging in humorous interactions, while appreciating the balance of educational content and entertainment. Overall, the humor is described as a consistent element that enhances the gameplay experience, appealing to both new and returning players.
- “For example, in this version, I got a full party all the way to the blue mountains and then, bam, a snow storm hit and they all froze to death, but it’s funny because the animation just shows them falling to the ground like marionettes that got their strings cut.”
- “Most of the game is in an updated, but still pixellated style that's just detailed enough to make the death scenes funny.”
- “There's a lot to do, classes and side quests to unlock, and some genuinely interesting or funny scenarios that can happen on the trail.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while it initially presents a wholesome and friendly atmosphere, it also includes moments of unexpected emotional depth and tragedy, particularly through character attachments and impactful events. Players appreciate the balance of fun and heartwarming interactions, though some criticize the sudden, harsh emotional turns as manipulative. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, enhancing the player's connection to the characters.
- “Great art style, great music, educational in a fun way, and a bit emotional.”
- “There was a moment that hit me emotionally much harder than I could have ever expected from this game; I'll let you discover it for yourselves.”
- “Which was the whole point of the game, so you had an emotional attachment to the characters.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on the Steam Deck after initial setup, users report significant sound glitches and a buggy mouse interface that can hinder gameplay. Some players experienced minor audio issues that were manageable, but others found the problems severe enough to discourage purchasing the game at full price.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck after getting through the initial installation of Windows libraries.”
- “Horrible sound glitches.”
- “I did every troubleshooting technique I know (I'm extremely techy/computer savvy) and nothing fixes it.”
- “I would not suggest buying any game (especially at full price) with massive sound glitches like this one has.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often describing it as boring and repetitive. The need to complete monotonous tasks for achievements and the cumbersome inventory management further contribute to a frustrating experience. Many reviewers suggest that the game could benefit from a more engaging approach to grinding, drawing comparisons to other titles that handle this aspect more effectively.
- “The only thing I disliked somewhat was how long it took and how tedious it could be trying to obtain the very rarest achievements.”
- “Is it grindy as heck and honestly kind of boring?”
- “They are all pretty much 'do this tedious dialogue chain (the same every playthrough) or you don't get the reward.'”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Character development in the game has seen significant improvements, featuring enhanced personality traits and skill management for each wagon party member, which directly influence gameplay. Additionally, the introduction of various occupations adds depth to character interactions, although there is a noted lack of character design customization.
- “Character development is much improved with each member of the wagon party having two personality traits which impact gameplay, in addition to an expanded offering of occupations.”
- “Still has that graphical legacy, and lots of new exciting features such as character development, traits, skill management, and mini-games.”
- “No character design.”
- “Character development is much improved with each member of the wagon party having two personality traits which impact gameplay in addition to an expanded offering of occupations.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The game's optimization is praised for enhancing the classic experience with a visually appealing upgrade, effectively balancing survival mechanics with strategic planning. However, some users report minor bugs and performance issues that slightly detract from the overall experience.
- “This isn’t just a pixel-polished port—it’s an evolved frontier experience where your survival hinges not merely on luck, but on shrewd planning and ruthless optimization.”
- “It's not a masterpiece, but for what it set out to do, provide an optimized, pretty facelift for a classic it absolutely achieves that with flying colors, and in that context is a 10/10.”
- “My only minor gripe is that the game occasionally suffers from minor bugs or performance issues.”
- “It's not a masterpiece, but for what it set out to do, provide an optimized, pretty facelift for a classic, it absolutely achieves that with flying colors.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The monetization model of the game reflects its origins as a mobile title, previously reliant on heavy microtransactions, which have been removed for the PC version. Players can expect ongoing free DLC as part of the Apple Arcade subscription, which emphasizes a no in-app purchases and no ads policy.
- “Expect to keep receiving the Apple Arcade DLC for free too, as Apple Arcade heavily boasts its 'no in-app purchases and no ads'.”
- “Looks, feels, and plays like a ported mobile game, one that used to have heavy microtransactions but were removed for the PC port.”
- “The monetization strategy is aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its beauty and relaxing qualities, enhanced by improved graphics that elevate the overall experience. However, unexpected events like dying from dysentery or accidental gunfire can disrupt this serene environment.
- “It's a beautiful, atmospheric, and relaxing experience until you drink bad water and die of dysentery or your gun spontaneously goes off and shoots one of the crew.”
- “Fishing is great, and the graphics (which I never had in the original) made the atmosphere of the game awesome.”