Strategy games once ruled the world of PC gaming. These titles attracted a huge player base thanks to their complex mechanics and rewarding gameplay. But over time, with the growth of consoles and changing gamer preferences, the genre lost its spotlight. Developers shifted their focus to other styles of gameplay, and strategy games began to fade—at least on PC and consoles.
However, that wasn’t the end. The strategy genre found a second life on mobile platforms, where it thrives today. Games like Clash of Clans revived interest in the genre and proved that strategy games can still be exciting and successful, especially on mobile. If you’re a fan of this genre, The Oregon Trail: Boom Town might catch your attention—or at least spark your curiosity.
Meet Tilting Point: A Mobile Studio With a Track Record
Some of the most creative studios in modern mobile gaming include names like Tencent, NetEase, and Gameloft. Among them stands Tilting Point, a developer known for polished, engaging mobile games. Their previous titles include Avatar: Realms Collide and popular SpongeBob-themed games like SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam and SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off. These games added charm to the mobile gaming landscape—and now, they’ve revived a classic series: The Oregon Trail.
A Legendary Franchise Returns
The Oregon Trail franchise is one of the longest-running in video game history. While it’s not very popular in Iran, the series has a dedicated fanbase in global markets. It dates back decades and has been reimagined by several developers over the years—from Red Wagon Games to Gameloft. In 2022, Tilting Point brought it back to life with The Oregon Trail: Boom Town, a mobile installment aiming to breathe new life into the series.
Lacking a Story – The First Major Weakness
Unfortunately, like many other mobile strategy games, Boom Town suffers from a lack of story. Strategy games often prioritize mechanics over narrative, and The Oregon Trail: Boom Town follows this trend. There’s little to no meaningful plot, which becomes the game’s first major drawback, especially for players who crave story-driven experiences.
Does the Gameplay Make Up for It?
While the game falls short in the story department, you might expect the gameplay to compensate—but that’s only partially true. Boom Town starts off charming enough. The first few minutes offer a decent introduction to town-building mechanics. However, it quickly becomes repetitive and uninspired, lacking the depth and creativity needed to keep players engaged for the long haul.
Feels Outdated in a Modern Mobile Market
Despite being released by a well-established studio in 2022, Boom Town feels like a game from the early 2000s. When compared to modern strategy hits like Clash of Clans or Rise of Kingdoms, the game simply doesn’t hold up. It had potential, but that potential was poorly utilized. Instead of innovating, the game sticks too closely to old formulas.
Repetitive Gameplay, With a Western Twist
At its core, Boom Town is a classic city-building simulator. Your job is to build and manage a town—this time, in the heart of the Wild West. The game is online and includes trading mechanics that allow you to sell resources to other players, similar to what we’ve seen in Hay Day by Supercell.
But here’s the problem: the gameplay lacks creativity. There’s nothing fresh or exciting to keep you coming back. It feels like a reskin of every other strategy game out there, with a Western theme slapped on top.
Disappointing Graphics and Audio Design
The letdown continues with the game’s visuals and audio. Graphically, the game feels outdated—like something from the sixth console generation. The animations are stiff and lifeless, and there’s very little artistic flair.
Worse yet, the soundtrack is a complete failure. You’d expect a game set in the Wild West to feature lively country tunes or atmospheric Western music—but that’s not the case. Instead, the audio feels bland and disconnected from the game’s setting. It’s a huge missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts: A Wasted Opportunity in the Wild West
The Oregon Trail: Boom Town had every chance to shine. A strong franchise, a capable developer, and a popular genre—yet it failed to deliver. While the idea of building a town in the Wild West sounds appealing, the game suffers from poor execution, boring mechanics, and underwhelming presentation.
