Asmodee Catan Board Game

Catan Board Game

Great family game for 3-4 players where developing a good strategy can be a challenge given the vagaries of the dice roll. What I enjoy is that the rules are fairly simple and after a couple of games, anyone can win.

As described

As described. Was a gift so can’t comment other than looked fine.

Arrived as advertised

Board game was what was advertised

Catan

Aegengardy game. The kids loved it but took a while to work out instructions. Once learnt... never mastered. A great family favourite.

Great price

Great board game & at a great price Delivery was within the advised dates. Easy transaction, would definitely order again from this seller.

Well chuffed!

This is my favourite board game. I've had it on my wishlist for literally years snapping at the heels of my actual priorities. I couldn't believe it when I saw it here at half the price (or less) of the cheapest I've seen it elsewhere.

The most groundbreaking feature of this game is the variable map. Imagine getting to scramble the risk board every time you play and what that would do to the tactics. It forces players to think on their feet, to think ahead thoroughly instead of playing through the game in a habitual manner. You'll never play the same game twice.

Secondly, the use of dice in this game is highly innovative. It's a novel concept that when your turn comes you can roll the dice and benefit everybody else except yourself through the chance element. However the chance element is clearly presented (by colours and dots) so that one's access to higher probabilities of success are controlled by tactical decisions made earlier in the game. Think of playing a poker master who can calculate the likelihood of each hand but simplified to numbers 2-12 and presented visually so that everyone has the same access to the information.

The rules are bulletproof and the rulebook is sectioned so that new players can get an overview quickly for the purpose of getting into the game without studying for a week first with an almanac provided that provides deeper insight and solutions to any rule based arguments.

The trade element of the game allows for almost complete freedom that's remarkably good training for real economic decision making processes. Freedom to bluff, freedom to undercut, freedom of refusal. There's only two major rules governing this aspect that are obviously beneficial boundaries. No background trading between other players on someone else's turn and no false trades/giveaways- e.g 3 bricks for 1 brick: very sensible.

The trading ports, again, add freedom. More freedom in the game equals different routes to a win equals a wide diversity of tactical play between players in each sitting and an expansive diversity of tactical options game after game after game.

I can't talk about tactical play without mentioning the robber. This is the primary method of sabotage available to players and it is statistically the most common roll. This means that there's always a spanner in the works for one or more players. It allows players to continually subvert and undermine each others plans, again with a great deal of freedom within clearly delineated rules.

It sounds more complicated than it is which is why the almanac is kept separate from the overview. The most difficult thing about playing this game as a beginner is how different it is from all the classics. My 7 year old picked it up with no problem at all. I think this is because he wasn't trying to hammer the hexagonal peg that is CATAN into the square holes left by monopoly, risk, scrabble, ludo, snakes and ladders etc. I think his inexperience removes the 'fear of the unknown' that older players can carry to the table because for him almost everything is unknown which makes this game no different to any other. He took to CATAN on his first attempt like a fish to water. It's a very good lesson in budgeting for children unfamiliar with the concept.

The game design (board aesthetics) is beautiful. I love the wooden pieces. My only real criticism of it is the designers decision to include a red player and an orange player in shades that are near inextricable. I plan to draw stripes onto all the orange pieces to avoid confusion in future. As a primary criticism this is so pedantic as to be almost moot.

I expect this game to become ubiquitous over the next 15 to 20 years.

Great

Fab game - was worried it would be inferior as price so good but absolutely perfect! Why pay more? Well packed, and such a great strategy game!

Good condition, arrived as expected

This was a brand new product that arrived in the timescale given on order.

Catan

Son is very happy with this game. Delivery was far quicker than expected- and product cheaper- especially as we were let down by another vendor when this was meant to be a Christmas present!

Worth every penny!

This is a fantastic game with endless possibilities and gameplay. A great family game. Great condition, only downside was the slow delivery time, but it was well worth the wait!