Oregon Trail is a classic saga that has been computer players’ favorite for a long time. The beauty of this game is its entertainment element and how it teaches about 19th-century traders.
This game was started in 1971 by three people who got inspiration from 19th century pioneer life on the Oregon Trail. After getting launched, this game soon became a hit and was developed continuously.
In fact, its latest version was released in 2021 by Apple, which Gameloft developed. So, if you have never played this game, this is your chance to play Oregon Trail and experience the 19th century traders.
Ways to Survive the Oregon Trail
Whether you have been playing for a while or you are new to the world of the Oregon Trail game, surviving it can be challenging. That’s why we have listed six of the best tips that will make survival easier for you.
Pace and Rest
Players treat the Oregon Trail like a race. But it’s a marathon where you can go long distances by playing the game correctly.
So, instead of keeping the game fast-paced. You should try to rest at certain intervals. Doing this will not only keep your health in check, but it will also make sure that you don’t die of exhaustion.
Buying Stuff
The amount of stuff you can buy depends on your profession. For instance, if you are a banker, you could purchase more items and start luxuriously.
You can get 9 yokes (18 oxen), 3 of each spare part, 20 sets of clothes, and 2000 pounds of food. Meanwhile, the number of bullets you can take with you on the trail depends on you. So, if you want to play a really easy game, you must choose a banker.
On the other hand, you get a limited budget if you are a farmer. That means you can only purchase supplies. If you purchase 3 yokes (6 oxen), 20 boxes of bullets, 2 of each spare part, and 15 sets of clothes, you could save around $30. For the food, you need to hunt wild animals.
Start Date
As the Oregon Trail player, you have two choices. You can either start early or start late. But you must always choose to start early. Because when you leave early, you can burn time, but if you are late, you might have to face harsh climatic conditions on the trail, which can further make your journey difficult.
Surviving on trial depends on how calculated decisions you can make. The ideal time to leave is around spring, i.e., April. Around this time, traders won’t get cold, and they can miss a few diseases, which might have wiped them out.
Profession
Upon starting the game, you will encounter three difficulty settings or choices. These includes:
- Banker ($1600)
- Carpenter ($800, 2× points)
- Farmer ($400, 3× points)
Each of these professions is nearly the same in the game. But the difference lies in the bonus point and the starting money. Mostly, players choose farmers because it comes with a chance to take maximum points.
A point to note here is that your journey will be slightly easy if you choose the banker profession. Choosing the carpenter profession will make the game a little difficult, and the difficulty level will increase with a farmer.
But at the end of the game, the farmer’s points will be tripled, and the carpenter’s points will double. But the banker’s point does not change.
Mode of Transportation
Choosing the right mode of transportation and animal is one of the few things you must choose correctly. If you want to have a fast-paced game, you can stick with a smaller wagon and horses. Usually, beginners choose the Prairie Schooner wagon.
Also, check the wheel of the wagon before starting the Oregon game. Wide wheels won’t let the wagon sink into soft terrain, and bigger wheels can roll through obstacles.
Stop for Nothing
You might get emotional if your favorite character or an animal dies, but you must stop for nothing. If you truly want to win the game, you need to keep moving. This way, you can reach the finish line at the expected time.
If you stop to grieve for the death, you will waste time. And even worse, robbers might attack you, or the climatic condition can get worse, further delaying your journey.
We know it sounds harsh, but the real Oregon Trail traders stopped for nothing. They were aware of the realities of the time. They didn’t have time to grieve because all they wanted was to survive and win.
Conclusion
If you want to play Oregon Trail online and win, you need to play and think like the real 19th century traders. You should make the right choices at the right time to avoid any regret.
With that, you must follow the six survival tips listed in this post to improve your chances of winning.
