Catan Traveler - Compact Edition

I've had this game and some expansion packs for years. You need like 10 minutes to learn all the rules so it's great for new players. In the basic version, it has quite simple mechanisms, only with additions the real fun begins. However, I still reach for it often. The game usually takes a little over an hour. Oh, it's actually possible to play it only in two. It's not that interesting but still fun!

This thought provoking game provides entertainment to friends and families for hours. Make allies and enemies in this luck-based yet strategic game that encourages banter between players. Only drawback is that I’ve never finished a game in under 2.5 hours, but atleast there’s an ending (*cough cough* monopoly) Basic gist of the game: first player to 10 victory points wins. You collect victory points by earning resources to build settlements and roads. The more settlements you get, the more resources you’ll get, the more victory points you’ll get.

Settlers of Catan is a classic and board game staple for a reason. Although associated with the "nerd" and tabletop world (having made its appearance through references in mainstream media) and can often be the butt of jokes involving resource hoarding and convoluted rules, it is not as hard to break into as it may appear. The big box and its multitude of pieces seem demanding, but the instructions are easy to follow, and, with just a little patience, first timers can be mid-game in no time! In fact, occasionally referencing the rule book (which provides an easy start guide as well as in-depth details) and figuring out hiccups for the first couple of games is part of the fun. The gameplay is just the right combination of meticulous detailing with straightforward ... MoreSettlers of Catan is a classic and board game staple for a reason. Although associated with the "nerd" and tabletop world (having made its appearance through references in mainstream media) and can often be the butt of jokes involving resource hoarding and convoluted rules, it is not as hard to break into as it may appear. The big box and its multitude of pieces seem demanding, but the instructions are easy to follow, and, with just a little patience, first timers can be mid-game in no time! In fact, occasionally referencing the rule book (which provides an easy start guide as well as in-depth details) and figuring out hiccups for the first couple of games is part of the fun. The gameplay is just the right combination of meticulous detailing with straightforward enough of a premise that it feels doable and rewarding, leaving you thinking about how you'll go about it next time and hoping that a next time is in the works soon. Also note that the art is wonderfully lush and a beaut to stare at during the game. The pieces, while plentiful, are all well contained and organized in the box's structure. It does only accommodate 5 players though, but that just makes for a cozier experience.

My family loves Settlers of Catan, and this extension pack allows us all to play together. I bought it along with the Catan 5th Edition 4 player game, and the extension matches the rest perfectly. I also bought the Catan Scenarios Helpers of Catan card pack, which makes the game a little more fun. This game is so interesting and there are so many ways to win. It's my favorite game to play with family and the kids just love playing it! It's a great alternative to the other standard games I grew up with. The game isn't cheap, but it's totally worth the investment because you'll get years of fun for the whole family out of it. You will not be disappointed!

Currently my favorite board game, getting to this point in my life was not easy though. I hate doing new things, but at first everything is new. So there was a time that I hated everything. When I started to try more things, I started to realize that I don’t hate everything. I just hate the things I haven’t tried yet. So before I tried Catan, I absolutely hated it. It wasn’t until my sister forced me to play that I realized it was actually my favorite game ever. It took my sister a full day to read and understand the instructions. When she tried to explain it to me, it was way too much knowledge to take in at once. She was talking for like 20 mins and I have a solid 2 mins of active listening in me before I start to zone out. So the only way I was going to learn ... MoreCurrently my favorite board game, getting to this point in my life was not easy though. I hate doing new things, but at first everything is new. So there was a time that I hated everything. When I started to try more things, I started to realize that I don’t hate everything. I just hate the things I haven’t tried yet. So before I tried Catan, I absolutely hated it. It wasn’t until my sister forced me to play that I realized it was actually my favorite game ever. It took my sister a full day to read and understand the instructions. When she tried to explain it to me, it was way too much knowledge to take in at once. She was talking for like 20 mins and I have a solid 2 mins of active listening in me before I start to zone out. So the only way I was going to learn this game was through trial and error and there was a whole lot of errors made in the beginning. The first few times we played, we played it wrong. It wasn’t until my sister re-read the instructions and then had someone else peer review the instructions, that we started to get it. Even when we were playing the incorrect way, I still liked the game. If you’re like me and hate trying new things, I’d suggest that you continue not trying new things, except for this one game.

My brother discovered Catan while in college and introduced it to the family. It quickly replaced the original board/cards games from our childhood, Monopoly, Sorry, Eucher, Uno, etc. 5 years later, it is without question, that everytime we are able to get the family together, we play Catan! The original game has three scenarios, I believe, which I have only recently discovered. We have only ever played just the original probably unaware of the other scenarios, because the game play is always, always different. It is a game where you will most likely never play the same thing over and over (obviously the concept is played over and over, but the access to resources, ports, dice chances, and development cards make the game play different). This last Christmas, I ... MoreMy brother discovered Catan while in college and introduced it to the family. It quickly replaced the original board/cards games from our childhood, Monopoly, Sorry, Eucher, Uno, etc. 5 years later, it is without question, that everytime we are able to get the family together, we play Catan! The original game has three scenarios, I believe, which I have only recently discovered. We have only ever played just the original probably unaware of the other scenarios, because the game play is always, always different. It is a game where you will most likely never play the same thing over and over (obviously the concept is played over and over, but the access to resources, ports, dice chances, and development cards make the game play different). This last Christmas, I purchased the expansion Traders and Barbarians for $60. This expansion also has 3/4 different scenarios to play, including a two player card options. We have loveddd the added game play from this expansion. There is a mobile app game option for all of Catan Universe. The mobile game is definitely not the same as playing the board option. There is colluding, cheating, game chat harassment, and disproportionate dice rolls. I am on the Discord server for Catan Universe and the owners/operators do not care nor listen to the ongoing complaints from the users. I would give the mobile app a 2/5 but the board game is definitely 5/5!

Addictive

Initially, figuring out set up and rules required significantly more “unpacking” and “frontloading” with the written directions. Box cover description of Catan sounds like a version of Monopoly but that is as far as it goes. Our first game was very fun but we barely scratched the surface of levels of play and strategy. Catan entertains an understanding how geography, natural resources and commerce and luck create financial wealth or NOT! An excellent family board game where varying levels of maturity can play together and have a ton of fun!! I would agree with the 11 year old and up rating. However, next family gathering, I’m pretty sure our 10 year old granddaughter will do just fine!

Catan Trade Build Settle Game

Excellent!! We gave this to our 11 & 13 year old grandsons for Christmas…..they love it!! The first time through, it takes a bit of time to read the rules but once you’ve played, you can jump right into the next game!! The board setup is different every time so no worries about the game becoming predictable!! Strategy, planning and, of course, a little luck makes this a very entertaining game!!

Disappointing Copy: A Review of the Catan Board Game

I've played the original Catan game several times and was excited to try out this version. However, I was disappointed to find that it's just a copy, and the quality is not up to par. The board print is sub-optimal, and the overall feel of the game is not as polished as the original. The blocks are decent, but they don't quite measure up to the quality of the original. Some board edges are difficult to join and often disjoin apart when striked gently. Overall, I was a bit let down by this version of the game.

Just buy the dang game

My husband really wanted this game for our family game night and I was skeptical. I didn’t think the two teenagers or myself would find this game fun, or that we would care to learn it. Yet, here we are, playing it in rotation on family game night. It’s fairly easy to learn, and surprisingly fun to play. We went a month where we only played this game, and found ourselves slightly obsessed to the point of buying the pirate game expansion. This game takes about an hour to play, or more depending on the people playing. Either way, you’re going to lose track of time, because it’s actually fun. On the fence about this? Nah. Do it. Trust me.