Oregon Trail 3rd Edition

Reviewed by Anise Hollingshead
Published by The Learning Company

Age Group: Age 8 and Up, Adults
Type: Social Studies
Price: $34.95

PC version requires:
Windows 95, P90, 30MB HD, 16MB RAM, 256, 4x CD-ROM,

Mac version requires:
System 7.5 or higher, 30 MB HD, 16 MB RAM, 256 colors, 4x CD-ROM

Description:

Move along little dogies! It's time to rustle you up some pardners to take alongside on your journey out West. The year is 1848, and you're in Independence, Missouri, hoping to hook up with some reliable traveling companions to make up a wagon party. When the party is formed and your supplies purchased, you're on your way!

Oregon Trail 3rd Edition is the 3rd rendition of a great pioneer simulation program originally from MECC, and now owned by The Learning Company. The basic program is the same, with some enhancements and additions which make an already wonderful product even better.

The beginning of the game offers players some new options: (1)Join a wagon, where the people and supplies are chosen for you, (2)Form a Wagon, where kids can choose from a list of companions, but without talking to them, and (3)Visit the Hotel, which allows kids to interview prospective companions before choosing them. The new characters in Oregon Trail 3 are well-done and realistic, with the video rendering smooth and clear. Their conversations are informative and typical of people for those times.

Now that you're all stocked up and in a wagon party, it's time to move'em up and head'em out! At certain points along the way, you will be given choices on whether to stop and rest, or to move on. At some of the towns, players will be able to leave the trail and visit the town to pick up supplies and chat-up the inhabitants, who will impart many historical facts, such as the Donner Party tragedy. During the journey, players will also be able to hunt, fish and forage for plants. The hunting activity has been enhanced, making it even more fun, and the plant gathering has been improved as well, with pictures and information about each plant available in the guide book.

As in the previous editions, the players will be able to trade goods with the other wagon party members, or even the people they meet along the way. At each rest stop, the wagon party members will be available for conversations, which can contain valuable information.

Features:

  • Historical facts on the pioneers
  • Guidebook filled with plant, animal and native information
  • Make your own decisions during the game

Technical Aspects:

Oregon Trail 3 installed easily and ran well. The videos are clear and fluid, and the interface is easy to use.

Report and Conclusions:

Oregon Trail is one of my family's favorite games, and now is even better! My 12 year-old daughter, even though she has played Oregon Trail 2 many times, played the new edition every day for several weeks after we received it. The play is more realistic than ever, with players able to go inside the buildings and look around, watch a slideshow of photos during the conestoga ride, and see many landmarks that give a real feel of the locations. Oregon Trail is a great product for teaching kids about an important part of American History, and is a definite asset at school and home.




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