Pioneer Days

Today's review is of the 2017 release, Pioneer Days.  For 2-4 players, it takes an hour.

Overview
You are a pioneer set for Oregon!  You have four weeks to get there, and the journey will be difficult; storms, raids, disease, and famine can all stand in your way.  All is not lost, though- you will be able to recruit helpers, buy goods at general stores, get more wagons, and earn favors along the way.  Do you have what it takes?

game components; image from here

Starting with a wagon and pioneer board (which dictates what special ability and other resources you have to start the game), the game is played over four weeks.  Each week consists of five days.  On the beginning of each day, the first player (which rotates each day) will randomly draw [x+1] dice out of the bag, where [x] = the number of players you have.  He'll roll those dice and choose one, using it to:
- recruit the worker present under the matching symbol on the main board
- take the amount of silver corresponding to the symbol's printed value on the main board
- use it for the symbol itself (so if it's wood, take one wood)

In turn order, each other player then chooses one die and does the same.  The color of the leftover die advances the matching disaster track one space.  Then the first player token passes to the next player and the next day begins.  Play continues in such fashion until the dice bag is empty, signifying the end of the week.  Then, players can do end of week actions (including earning favors by fulfilling conditions as stated on the rotating town cards at the top of the board).  After this, a new week begins by putting the dice back in the bag, turning two new towns face-up, and replenishing the workers and general store.  After four weeks, the game ends, with the person with the most favors being the winner!

The disaster track can spell doom for your party if unprepared.  Make sure you have enough wood (for wagons), medicine (for people), food (for cattle), or other things handy to weather whatever shall pass. 

Review
I enjoyed this game.  I like that the dice can be used for several actions, giving plenty of meaningful choices each round.  The disaster track adds an element of suspense, and the workers/towns give variation.  It's an Oregon Trail-themed dice placement game, and (in my book) is a winner.
Watch it Played has an excellent overview here.

Rating: A