The game also has secrets like hidden treasures, secret buildings and many more. The player requires experience points to unlock new buildings, which are used to expand the city and hire gunslingers and lawmen to protect it from bandits. There are two cities where the story takes place, as in Westward II. The basic resources are wood and gold, which are used to build food, used to feed the people and water, which is required at farms and ranches. The player can choose three pioneers, each giving a special bonus in the game. Unfortunately, a greedy land speculator named Silas McAllister plots to gain control of valuable land and eventually, governorship of California. Grateful for their hospitality, the pioneers make a promise to repay the family for their kindness and generosity when they are settled. Along the way the kind-hearted, but financially struggling Baron family (a farmer named Jake, his wife Emily, and their son Redd) welcomes three weary travelers into their home and offers them a place to rest. When gold is discovered in the Northern California wilderness, speculators flock west in hopes of striking it rich. Players must unlock new buildings using their experience and resources as the difficulty increases. In Open Range, all buildings are unlocked from the start, while in Disaster Challenge, disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and bandit attacks take place. The game also features a sandbox mode, which can be played in two modes: "Open Range" and "Disaster Challenge". The game also has secrets like hidden treasures, a new animal at the ranch, new buildings, a ferocious animal and many more. By hiring gunslingers, sheriffs and deputies the player must protect the city from bandits. The player requires experience points to unlock new buildings, which are used to expand the city. There are two cities where the story takes place, Oxbow Bend and Gunslinger Gulch. As the story progresses, new characters will come, giving new missions and tasks. When achieving certain goals, the player receives rewards. The game starts with the hero, that expands the city by building using wood and gold. The player controls one of the three pioneers, each giving a special bonus in game. Three pioneers help these refugees find new homes and expand into new communities by establishing new settlements. Fleeing residents bring tales of Doc Vostrikov, the "Mad Russian", who once again tries to stop further expansion with the help of his cronies-the Copperhead Gang. Set after the previous game, the town of Hope River is suddenly destroyed.