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on August 6, 2013
We recently bought a set from Amazon.com and our family liked it a lot. From reading other reviews, I think we bought the fourth edition. The interlocking boundary pieces worked well in my opinion. I don't understand why some reviewers complained about the interlocking mechanism not working. The quality of the board is just OK, and I doubt that it would last more than 50 times of play. If you play every week, then you probably will need a new set in a year or so. So it is quite pricey with a price tag of about $40 for such a board game.
Strategy-wise, it is quite easy as there are not a whole lot variations in the best moves. I say this in comparison with chess. The initial placement of the two houses carry too heavy a weight on the outcome depending on how the board is assembled. In some cases, one player just wants to forfeit after the initial placement.
For some reason, this game brings out the worst part of competitiveness of human nature. I often see otherwise well-behaved kids end up unhappy after loosing. It might be helpful to remind everyone that it is just a game.
Strategy-wise, it is quite easy as there are not a whole lot variations in the best moves. I say this in comparison with chess. The initial placement of the two houses carry too heavy a weight on the outcome depending on how the board is assembled. In some cases, one player just wants to forfeit after the initial placement.
For some reason, this game brings out the worst part of competitiveness of human nature. I often see otherwise well-behaved kids end up unhappy after loosing. It might be helpful to remind everyone that it is just a game.
on August 4, 2012
This may come off as an expensive board game, but the value and entertainment you get from playing this easy-to-learn and highly social game is worth well beyond the $30 or so dollars you spend on it or the extra money put into expansions. Players have something to do almost every turn. There is a small element of luck with dice rolls, but strategy takes precedent 90% of the time. Trading is nothing like Monopoly and almost necessary to advance your building goals. Players are made to balance their choices turn by turn and make strategic builds and trades, but the concept and ease of play is remarkably great. For these reasons, definitely buy the game.
However, for the price of the game you definitely expect the materials to be less flimsy. The sea tiles make setup a headache. From the start they were slightly warped. Getting them to interlock just so and stay that way is next to impossible. I count among my greatest Catan achievement just getting the board to stay set up perfectly through the whole game. One tile gets bumped which, consequentially, puts every other tile on the board askew. Presently, I am keeping the sea tiles under heavy books in an attempt to make them flat but 3 days in and no dice.
Overall, I'm glad I bought the game for the fun times it gave my family and I, but cooperative and delicate board setup quenches the competitive mood pre-game.
However, for the price of the game you definitely expect the materials to be less flimsy. The sea tiles make setup a headache. From the start they were slightly warped. Getting them to interlock just so and stay that way is next to impossible. I count among my greatest Catan achievement just getting the board to stay set up perfectly through the whole game. One tile gets bumped which, consequentially, puts every other tile on the board askew. Presently, I am keeping the sea tiles under heavy books in an attempt to make them flat but 3 days in and no dice.
Overall, I'm glad I bought the game for the fun times it gave my family and I, but cooperative and delicate board setup quenches the competitive mood pre-game.
on April 3, 2014
My friends and I love this game. It's a good length (around 90 mins) and is fun to trade resources. The reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because it has a lot of luck involved. Every turn is based on a dice roll. The dice can help you or completely screw you over. It's still fun but watch out you may get into some heated arguments with this game. People can hurt you by placing the robber on your areas which prevent you from getting those resources. People can also team up against you. On the other hand that's what keeps the game interesting and fun. It's a great game and one I would recommend everyone have in their collection.
on October 3, 2010
I must admit we love this game. It gets played maybe 10 times a week. After only 6 months the resource cards are frayed, the colors are faded and you cannot even shuffle them well. And don't get me started on the CHEESY board. We glued the harbor pieces onto a large octagonal fiberboard just so they would hold together.
Just be prepared...a really fun strategic game that's way too expensive for the quality received. I don't understand why they don't increase the price and make a game whose quality people would rave about.
Just be prepared...a really fun strategic game that's way too expensive for the quality received. I don't understand why they don't increase the price and make a game whose quality people would rave about.
on February 8, 2015
Catan is a great gateway board game to get people out of Monopoly without trepidation. My only complaint about the game is it's really easy to get boxed out of options due to a combination of bad die roils and/or poor starting choices. This is much worse in a 4 player game where board space is at a premium. This is one of the few games where I'd like player elimination so when I spend turn after turn getting no resources and nowhere to build to, I can be put out of misery without having to resort to kingmaking to get the game over with.
As always, the product shipped from Amazon was top notch.
As always, the product shipped from Amazon was top notch.
on February 20, 2015
Catan rocks! My family's tradition is to play Monopoly when we all get together. We've dabbled with other games, but not many have made the cut like Monopoly...and then along came Catan. 5 stars for the game itself, 4 stars for this version. I initially played on a German set and it was a lot nicer. The robbers were a clay figurine of three bumbling goofballs instead of a wooden block that a friend of mine can't help but refer to as "the butt plug." Also, the game board doesn't lay flat when all of the pieces are connected. Just seems like the manufacturing could use some work.
on January 2, 2014
I played this with 3 other people and enjoyed it.
Pros:
- A unique game, combining strategy and luck. Similar in some ways to Monopoly and Risk where you grow an empire and accumulate wealth.
- There are options for a simple version for beginners, and a more complicated version for more experienced players.
- It only takes a few moves before you start to figure out how to play, but strategy will improve over time.
Cons:
- Only suitable for 3 or 4 players, unless you spend money on an expansion pack.
- Some of the rules are a little obscure; e.g. the prohibition against building settlements on adjacent corners. We played a few games before we saw that. I know; RTFM: "Read The Fine Manual"! ;)
Pros:
- A unique game, combining strategy and luck. Similar in some ways to Monopoly and Risk where you grow an empire and accumulate wealth.
- There are options for a simple version for beginners, and a more complicated version for more experienced players.
- It only takes a few moves before you start to figure out how to play, but strategy will improve over time.
Cons:
- Only suitable for 3 or 4 players, unless you spend money on an expansion pack.
- Some of the rules are a little obscure; e.g. the prohibition against building settlements on adjacent corners. We played a few games before we saw that. I know; RTFM: "Read The Fine Manual"! ;)
on January 9, 2015
We had a great time playing this game over the holidays when all of my adult (20's) children were home. I played it on line after buying it to get a good idea of what it was all about. My kids called it a cross between Oregon Trail ( a computer game they played as kids), Monopoly and a little bit of Risk- including lots of strategy. It was a big hit- but we only had the game for 3-4 players so the rest had to find a different game to play since this one could go for the duration of the night. We continued to play it every night- everyone took turns so it was a hit with the guys and the girls.
on December 9, 2010
We bought SOC last about a year ago. Our family is a 13 year old son, 19 year old son, and two mid 40's parents. We all like to play the game so it appeals to different age groups. Since the game is based on human decision, no two games are alike which keeps it fresh. Also, there is some uncertainty as to who is actually ahead in the game which also makes it interesting to play for all players. This is in contrast to many roll the dice games (Monopoly, Risk, for example) where the winner is known well in advance of the eventual ending of the game.
Becuase the game is based on strategy, I would not recommend for younger kids due to frustration level and understanding of the game.
The only thing that removes 1 star from the game is that it is a little sensitive to location. The game board needs a flat, stable surface to play. So it is not likr some games that can be played spur of the moment and pretty much anywhere. So, I would call it a table game. Which is not a negative just want to make sure that those that are looking for a game to throw down on the airport floor or on the ground in a tent should be aware of the board limitations and plan accordingly.
Becuase the game is based on strategy, I would not recommend for younger kids due to frustration level and understanding of the game.
The only thing that removes 1 star from the game is that it is a little sensitive to location. The game board needs a flat, stable surface to play. So it is not likr some games that can be played spur of the moment and pretty much anywhere. So, I would call it a table game. Which is not a negative just want to make sure that those that are looking for a game to throw down on the airport floor or on the ground in a tent should be aware of the board limitations and plan accordingly.
