Rhi Axtell – Writer

I just discovered a game on my phone that I completely forgot about. I have had this game since I bought it on my iPod Touch (remember those?!) back in those misty days when the world was simpler, and I had more hair on the top of my head and less on my chin (a weird way to measure time, I realise, but it’s too late to go back now).

This game is also appropriately spooky, so for today’s spooky thing let me present: ORGAN TRAIL.

Now, you are forgiven for thinking this is a game about an enthusiastic organist who likes to hike – because obviously that is where your mind first went, I am sure.

Organ Trail is a parody of the old educational game ‘The Oregon Trail’. That game (Oregon, not Organ) was made for classrooms back in 1971 to teach children about the American Pioneers back in the 1840s (and how often they died of dysentery). Organ Trail reimagines this historical, educational game as a desperate race across the USA to escape the zombie apocalypse. It is full of references to zombie-media, which if you were a massive zombie fan, like I was back when I bought this game (and had more hair), is fantastic.

It’s also quite hard. I don’t think I have actually sat and completed a game where I have made it across the USA to ‘safety’. Although whether that is a difficulty thing, or just me forgetting the game is on my phone, I have yet to figure out.

Weirdly, there is a very similar – although more recent – game called ‘Death Road to Canada’, where you have to escape the zombie horde by going up north to Canada. I also have this game. I also have not completed it.

What does that say about me?

(Don’t answer that)

See you tomorrow!