Danggit!! I Made It To Oregon and Didn't Lose A Soul!!

After playing the original Oregon Trail CD rom game, my son highly recommended that I purchase the Oregon Trail II. I searched several stores until I finally found it in a discount book store for a mere $9.99. I was ecstatic because I believed that I would enjoy this game as much, if not more, than the first version. And, I was right!

The graphics were exceptional. I felt as though I was really about to travel the trail from the moment the game opened. The concept of this game is simple, yet there are many variables that could greatly effect the outcome of your journey.

First, I had to decide how many people were going to be in my party and what their ages would be. I later realized that these people were highly dependant on me if I was to choose to be their guide on the trail. I usually choose to be the guide because I would rather not leave the life of my members in the hands of others. I have options as to whether or not I have special skills, such as sharpshooting (a necessary hunting skill), botany (this helps prevent feeding my family poisonous plants), trading skills (the Indians like to trade with folks along the trail) and many others.

Once I make my decision as to the time of year that I will be travelling, the year of kick-off, and the area that I will leave from and my ultimate destination, it is now time to purchase my necessary supplies for a difficult trip that may last up to twelve months! Imagine being a young family embarking on a dangerous journey across the country, dealing with wild animals, sand storms, icy sleek mountains and frozen rivers! The thought is intriguing as well as compelling. Compelling me to keep on going for the sake of a much better life. I must not give up. I must be sure to purchase enough supplies to feed my family. I must not forget the necessary medicines and ample clothing to make this journey a success!

Along the trail, you will confront several different obstacles, such as alkali water and shortages of food. If you are like me and my family, you won't mind the time involved in getting your family safely across the country. If you are not careful, however, you will lose family members one by one! To snake bite, or gunshot wounds, or exhaustion, or Typhoid, or scurvy or a multitude of other causes.

I highly recommend this game to any one interested in what it was like to travel the trail back in the 1800's. It is more than just a game! It is an adventure! It is educational for the entire family and you will never regret having played it.