Overview
How it plays
How does it play?
Oregon Trail recreates the journeys of the pioneers who traveled across the Western U.S. during the 1820's - 1860's.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Action Points
Spend a limited allowance of points across several possible actions each turn.
Dice Rolling
Roll dice to introduce uncertainty into actions, production, movement, or resolution.
Grid Movement
Move pieces between adjacent spaces on a regular grid.
Events
Triggered events alter the shared state, rules, or available choices.
Hexagon Grid
Use a hexagonal map where each space connects evenly in six directions.
Read the full game description
Oregon Trail recreates the journeys of the pioneers who traveled across the Western U.S. during the 1820's - 1860's. To a certain extent it is a role-playing game, as players are cast into the role of Trail Boss, responsible for shepherding his party from their jumping-off point to their ultimate destination. Trail Bosses measure success (in relation to the other players) by retaining the highest percentage of the starting wagons, personnel and stock when they arrive at their final destination.