Board Games for Bored People
Wednesday, February 03, 2016
Catan is a strategy game in which each player collects resources to build and upgrade settlements. Some of the main playable features of this game are: Ports, which you can trade resources for other resources, resource cards such as: Sheep, Wood, Wheat, Ore, and Brick. This game also features a special hexagon shaped board, which allows for many possible chances of gameplay.
Playing The Game: Catan, as mentioned before, uses a hexagonal board with circular and hexagonal tiles, which allows for many different chances of gameplay. First, the tiles must be spread randomly around the inside of the board face down, then flip the tiles over so they are facing up. The same process will be used with the circular tiles. This is my favorite thing about the game because it ensures that the layout of the board is completely random, and will be different every time the game is played. Hexagonal tiles are where resources are obtained, whereas the circular tiles show the chance of a certain resource being rolled. Each player starts out with two settlements and two roads, which are placed before the dice are rolled. To build the first settlement, it must be placed on the corner between three tiles. There must always be at least two roads between each settlement. When placing a road, it must be placed on the space between two tiles. Once the dice are rolled, any settlement touching a tile with that number rolled will collect one of that resource. Resources can be traded at the ports once a settlement is built on that port, traded with other players, or used to build roads, settlements, and/or development cards, which can provide useful advantages. Settlements can also be upgraded to towns once enough resources are gained, but towns cannot be built on their own or upgraded further. There is also a tile that will look like a desert, this tile is where the robber can be found. When a seven is rolled the robber can be moved to any tile on the board, disabling the tile until the robber is moved again. Now for my least favorite part about the robber, the player that moved the robber is allowed to steal one resource from any player that has a settlement or town on that tile (Get revenge on your pesky siblings!). Any player on that tile with over seven resource cards must discard half of their deck. Throughout the game players will earn victory points (VPs) from achievements, towns, and development cards. The First player to gain 10 victory points wins.
Catan is a great family game, and considering that expansion packs can be purchased to host many players, it’s even better for larger families. I do not recommend this game for children under 12 years old because of its complexity. Even though this game is not the best for younger children, that does not mean it isn’t great for teens or adults. I am not telling the reader to buy the game, but informing them on the great values of this game to help with a decision. -ThatDrummerGuy
To rule, you must build; that is the concept behind The Settlers of Catan. As you build houses, roads, and cities, the ultimate goal is to enclose as much space as you can on the island of Catan before time and resources run out. Can you win? While winning this game involves some chance, it is a challenge to those of a more strategic mind. I love strategy games.This game was more of a strategic challenge then I thought it would be. Deciding the best places on the island for resources, using your resources wisely, blocking others from important resources, and plotting how to gain the most space on the island are just a few of the strategic faculties employed. Road by road, building by building, you will battle against other settlers. Although it can be a fiercely competitive game, it is a wonderful opportunity to bring your family together in a fierce but, friendly competition. There is also a digital version that would be great for the more electronically inclined people in your family. It’s also nice for those who are frequent travelers that would like a critical thinking game for their next trip.
Although Catan is a wonderful thinking game, it requires complex thinking skills. So keep that in mind with younger players. Overall, I am impressed with Catan and enjoy playing it every time! I hope you do to! - Flinn Wilder
1 comments
I like this game too! It's fun and really makes you think and strategize!
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