Wow! I am so excited! I started my free hour for Pioneer Lands and bought the game before I finished my hour. This is a phenomenal game! At least as far as I am concerned; and if you are like me and love to play My Kingdom for the Princess, Roads of Rome, and other resource management games, then you will flip over this game.
Pioneer Lands does not have a real storyline, which is fine with me because I usually find them contrived anyway. It appears that your character is carving out an existence in the Wild West. You will be building up your wonderful farm as you complete levels in gold level time. Clear obstacles, build bridges, cut down trees, harvest wheat and beans, make flour, give the Indian blocking the way food items, and the like as you progress through the game.
What is so cool about Pioneer Lands, though, is that each level has a dual record to achieve. In addition to trying to meet the goals given for the level in gold time, you will also have the option to get an award from The Great Chief. In each level there is a signpost with a message from the Indian Chief stating something extra he wants from you. Sometimes it is to not pick up his gold or to build all the bridges or to collect an additional item. Even if you do achieve the chief's request but do not get a gold time, you will not get the award. It adds an extra layer of challenge to the game.
According to the Awards screen, there are 99 awards, which means 99 levels. Also if you get all 99 you will unlock bonus levels (at least that is what it says!). So this is a nice long game, especially compared to some of the recent games that have been released. It is also a good challenge. Sometimes I can just play a game and whiz right through it, but this one makes me stop and think in order to achieve the records and awards. I do not know about you, but I like it when I have to replay a level to get it just right (well, as long as I can get it the next time without too much headache!). I hope to get a walkthrough done someday, but I wanted to let you guys know about this great game as soon as possible! If you like this genre you absolutely must get Pioneer Lands. It is a winner!
