PIONEERS 7

Exploration has been an intoxicating aspect of games, but they're typically really hard to execute on. It's near impossible to design a world that's packed full of content and interesting to explore - just look at Skyrim's mostly empty world for an example. However, random generation has a lack of standout moments due to its lack of scripted sequences. The best exploration games instead focus on survival to give moments, and Pioneers exemplifies that.

To install Pioneers, simply unzip the files and run the executable.

This game is an open world game where you roam forests, sail oceans, and build camps while also following a vague story. This game is carried fully by its random generation. It is also a turn based game where you have to build a crew, buy what you need, grab a ship, and start working on some quests. These quests actually vary greatly. Somtimes, you could be heading out to uncover mysteries of a certain island or find missing explorers. Other times, you're out to map the lands.

Whatever the quest, you'll eventually have to run into danger, with wolves, bears, and even native tribesman out to get you. You'll also need to manage your supplies and also have to worry about illnesses like dysentery, giving it a feel very similar to Oregon Trails.

Overall, Pioneers harkens back to a time when games were incredibly unforgiving and you had to worry about the survival of your crew. While there are a ton of these kinds of games nowadays, the indie nature of this gives it flavor that you won't find in many places.