The Yukon Trail

The Yukon Trail is a 1994 computer game from MECC, the creators of The Oregon Trail. The game is based around the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. Players start out in Seattle, where they must partner up, secure travel, and purchase needed provisions.

Gameplay

 * This section is applicable to the Macintosh and Windows releases of The Yukon Trail.

Start
The game starts in Seattle in August 1897 (right before the actual Gold Rush). The player is presented with a wharf, but must first go downtown, where there is a ticket office and a shop called Pioneer Outfitters. The game does not allow the player to purchase anything until they choose a partner. Partners can only be found at the ticket office, which is where the player is directed. One of the following partners can be chosen: an experienced miner named Sadie, a native of the Yukon called Linda (her actual name is not given), a carpenter named Jake, or a businessman named Midas T. Golden. Each partner has unique advantages over the others: the miner collects gold more effectively, the native can carry more weight, the carpenter can build and repair more effectively, and the businessman has more money. After selecting a partner the player purchases two tickets for one of three ships to Skagway or one of three ships to Dyea. Tickets are more expensive for ships that depart immediately, and less expensive for those departing later. The player can buy equipment and food for the journey at Pioneer Outfitters, or they can wait until they get to Alaska. There is also a peddler at the wharf who will sell two of the following items: "gold-sniffing" gophers, a trail bicycle, a folding canvas boat, eggs, caviar, or kittens. Some of the peddler's items are relatively worthless, but others may be resold at a profit. The player's partner can offer advice on purchasing tickets, outfits, or anything else, but it is not always wise to heed their advice. For instance, some partners encourage the player to delay buying supplies until they arrive in Alaska, where supplies are more expensive, or to buy the peddler's worthless items. Advice given depends on which partner is chosen.

The Trail
Once the player and partner get tickets, they go to the wharf where, depending on the ship chosen, they either board immediately, wait a week, or wait two weeks. Upon reaching their destination, either Skagway or Dyea, they can purchase any supplies that were not bought in Seattle, gamble, or head for either the White Pass trail or the Chilkoot trail. Gambling involves a game of "find the nugget", where a gold nugget is placed under one of three cups, which are shuffled. If the player bets $1, the game is made very easy. If the player bets the higher amount, the game is rigged so it is impossible to win. Gambling can be turned off in the preferences menu.

The Yukon Trail gives children plenty of opportunities to think about the situation, giving many options and many possible consequences for each event, thus building problem solving skills. The initial choice players make on the trail, and can constantly change if wished, is the load personally carried. A smaller load results in the ground moved each day to become shorter (as some of the supplies have to be left behind and then returned for). Moreover, the trail becomes much more difficult to travel when encroaching upon the winter months. However, a larger load will result in a higher probability of the player or partner being injured.

Midway down the trail, the player and partner stop at a camp. They can then buy or sell goods before climbing the mountain pass leading to the Canadian border where they pay a toll to pass into the Yukon Territory. The North West Mounted Police will not let them pass unless they have 1000 pounds of food per person.

Along the trail, numerous random events can occur. Random events include: someone being injured (the player decides to continue at a slower pace or to rest), theft of food, rockslides, crowds of people, and sudden inclement weather.

The River


The player and partner arrive at Bennett Lake after hiking into Canada. While there, they meet the legendary Mountie Sam Steele. During the winter they need to build one of three boats. To do this they must acquire a whipsaw if they do not already have one. To get one they can easily trade food. Once the spring arrives and the ice has melted, the player and partner can embark with their boat. Depending on the date of their arrival at Lake Bennett, Sam Steele will let them depart right away, or have them wait two or four days before departure.

On the river, the speed is determined by the type of boat chosen, and how much damage it has sustained. There are a few minigames, which involve guiding the boat away from rocks and whirlpools. Due to size and shape, some boats are more difficult to maneuver than others. After the minigame, if the boat has been damaged, the player can choose to repair the boat or build an entirely different one.



The player and partner will eventually reach Dawson City, where they are presented with a map of claims they can stake. There, they meet Nellie Cashman and author Jack London. Once they have staked a claim, they can begin searching for gold. With the arrival of winter, the game ends. The player's score is determined by the amount of money they have (from the entire journey, including gold). Most claims will yield small amounts of gold, but at least one claim can get you the high score.

Landmarks
Periodically, the player stops at landmarks along the journey, where players can learn historical facts about each location. Some include the Dead Horse Trail, the totem poles, and the three rapids: Miles Canyon, White Horse Rapids and Five Finger Rapids.

Hidden Menu
A hidden menu can be accessed by going to the management tab, clicking enable management, and entering the password MECC.