Review by Anna, Zainab, and Brooke

Hajj Trail, created by Dr. Tyler Kynn, is a fantastic educational game because it is entertaining, accessible, and incorporates learning elements into the gameplay. Mainstream audiences are unlikely to read a dense historical narrative; instead, Hajj Trail gamifies the pilgrim experience while still conveying the themes of historical sources. In the Manasik ul-Hajj of Yusuf Rumi, the autobiographical guidebook on which much of the game is based, Rumi’s annotations become increasingly concerned with the scarcity of resources, particularly clean water as he travels. By forcing the player to weigh the risks of tainted water or thirst before traveling through the desert, and facing the consequences of those choices, Rumi’s story becomes a more immersive teaching tool than only reading the text (Dr. Kynn). Similar trade-offs, such as decisions about whether to travel during the day or at night, are common throughout gameplay and require players to think deeply about environmental factors that affected pilgrims. In addition to the environmentally-based risk factors, Hajj Trail effectively teaches history across several broad themes, including socio-economics, spirituality, and travel routes of the 17th-century Ottoman world.

Hajj Trail’s game format is highly effective in portraying the impact of socioeconomic status on pilgrimage experiences. Players can choose to play as one of five characters who represent different social and economic classes. This choice influences starting resources as well as events that occur during the simulation, greatly altering the difficulty of completing the virtual pilgrimage. Players experience multiple benefits from the inclusion of diverse character backgrounds. First, having multiple avatars allows the player to continue the game in multiple settings. Completing the pilgrimage does not mean that all possible gameplay is completed. Second, the various character types educate the player on the social and political hierarchy of the time period. The impact of class and status on travel and pilgrimage is clearly communicated through gameplay experience because it impacts each decision and its outcome. 

Hajj Trail also teaches players about the significance of religious practice during Hajj pilgrimages. The point-based spirituality in the game provides a unique way for students to learn about religious sites and to incentivize them to follow a similar moral code to 17th-century pilgrims. Players are encouraged to make choices based on a similar value system to what pilgrims may have had, rather than simply focusing on the survival aspects of the game. Although incentivized morality is an inherent contradiction, its purpose in the game effectively reminds players of the spiritual nature of the Hajj. 

Because the journey to Mecca is the central goal of Hajj Trail, the player’s success in the game is dependent on their travels through the game map. The game does a wonderful job teaching about the various pilgrimage routes in the 17th century, especially since players often must choose between routes. However, the game map could be designed more effectively in order to better complement gameplay. The map shows the path the player takes overall, but it is quite difficult to track progress on the map. Hopefully, future updates of Hajj Trail will include an improved map design that is easier to use and understand, especially given the crucial role that maps play in immersing a player. 

Ultimately, Hajj Trail is an incredible educational game that manages to combine art, history, and religion in an efficient, accessible medium. With easy-to-understand gameplay and free online access, Hajj Trail sets itself apart as a truly valuable resource for those wishing to learn about the historical Muslim world.