1. A game of "Oregon Trail" begins with a choice: as leader of your party, what is your occupation? Your decision affects several aspects of the game, from your available cash to the bonus added to your score. Members of which profession begin with the most money? The banker and the carpenter begin with the same amount. Farmer Banker Carpenter

2. To many players, myself included, one of the most fun parts of "Oregon Trail" has always been choosing the names of the party members. Including the leader, how many people are there in each party? 2 4 5 8

3. Before you can leave "Independence, Missouri, 1848," you've got to purchase supplies for the trip. At Matt's General Store, a nifty little DOS interface allows you to spend your hard-saved cash on a variety of useful items. What doesn't Matt sell? Food Oxen Blankets Ammunition

4. It's time to leave Independence and head to Oregon! You've got to decide what month to depart, what pace to set your team, and what rations to give your family. What combination of pace and rations is most likely to result in disaster? Strenuous pace and meager rations Steady pace and bare-bones rations Grueling pace and generous rations Grueling pace and bare-bones rations

5. After watching the black-and-white, pixellated scenery pass slowly by on your monitor, the appearance of a river to cross adds a great deal of excitement. Based on local conditions (like the depth of the river and resources available), you can choose from several options for the river crossing. Which of these choices is NEVER presented as a way to reach the other side? Caulk the wagon and float it across Pay a few dollars to take the ferry across Ford the river Fell nearby trees and build a bridge

6. You continue making your slow progress across the country, when disaster suddenly strikes in the text window. One of your party members (let's call her Mary) is suffering from dysentery! Which of these options (by itself) is most likely to help her recover? Slow the pace of the wagon Stop the wagon and rest for a few days Increase rations for the party Increase the pace so as to get to a doctor in the next town

7. Despite your best efforts, Mary dies from her illness -- she almost always does. So your thoughts have turned to mortality and philosophy (do video game characters go to pixel heaven?) when the text window informs you that you're passing a tombstone by the side of the road. What does this mean? A historical battle between the U.S. Army and Native Americans occurred here, and you can read about it on the tombstone. A historical pioneer died at this spot, and you can find his or her biography on the tombstone. A previous player's party died at this spot, and they left an epitaph for future players to read. There's a tombstone shop here, where you can purchase one for Mary and a spare in case any other party members die.

8. As your journey progresses, you notice a countdown on your screen: "Next Landmark: 25 miles ... 24 miles ... 23 miles ..." Finally, your wagon arrives at Independence Rock, illustrated by a colorful traveling scene, a change of music, and some new options for your party. What CAN'T you do at Independence Rock and other landmarks? Decide to settle nearby Learn about the history of the area Purchase goods and supplies Rest before continuing on

9. Your party is running low on food, so you stop the wagon, unpack the ammunition, and go hunting to replenish your supplies. A little stick figure (representing you) takes up a position among a few trees and boulders; you aim your musket using the arrow keys. You manage to shoot three buffalo, figuring they'll feed your party for months; instead, when you leave, you discover you can't take all three. What's the problem? A game warden appears and writes you a citation for overhunting. There's a weight limit on what you can carry back to the wagon. Wolves or mountain lions (depending on your location) dispute your claim to two of the carcasses. One of every two buffalo is diseased and unsafe for you to use as food.

10. Finally, despite everything "Oregon Trail" can throw at you, you're almost done: you've reached the Columbia River, and all you need to do to get to Willamette Valley is to head downstream. You could take the toll road, but you find yourself short on cash. What is your other option? Leave the wagon and hike along the riverbank, abandoning whatever goods you can't carry. Float the wagon on a raft, steering it down the river while avoiding rocks. Leave the road and forge your own trail, keeping in mind the dangers of getting lost in the mountains as winter approaches. Return to the last landmark and sell your belongings until you have enough cash for the toll road. (If you're a carpenter, you can also work for money.)