Catan (formerly "The Settlers of Catan") is the game that brought European-style board gaming to American living rooms. First published in 1995, it's sold over 32 million copies worldwide. But nearly 30 years later, is it still worth your family's time? Let's dig in.
What Is Catan?
In Catan, you're a settler on an island, building roads, settlements, and cities by collecting and trading resources. The board is made of hexagonal tiles that create a different island every game, and dice rolls determine which tiles produce resources each turn.
The first player to reach 10 victory points wins. You earn points by building settlements (1 point), upgrading to cities (2 points), building the longest road, amassing the largest army, or collecting certain development cards.
The twist that makes Catan special? Trading. You can trade resources with other players at any time, leading to negotiation, deal-making, and the occasional broken promise.
The Family Experience
Catan has been on our shelf for years, and it's taught my kids valuable lessons about negotiation, resource management, and the pain of having the robber placed on your best hex by your own sibling.
The trading mechanic is where Catan shines for families. Watching my kids negotiate ("I'll give you two wheat for one ore, AND I promise not to block your road next turn") is endlessly entertaining. They're learning real-world skills while having fun.
"I will NEVER trade with you again. Never. This is permanent." — My 14-year-old, who traded with her brother again the very next turn
That said, Catan can be polarizing. The dice-driven resource system means some games feel predetermined by luck. If you settle near an 8 and it never gets rolled, you'll spend the game frustrated while watching others prosper. For competitive kids, this can be tough.
The Good Stuff
- Social interaction: Trading keeps everyone engaged, even when it's not their turn
- Variable setup: The modular board means every game is different
- Teaches negotiation: Real diplomatic skills develop naturally
- Cultural touchstone: So popular that "Do you play Catan?" is a genuine conversation starter
- Expandable: Tons of expansions if you get hooked
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Luck-dependent: Bad dice rolls can make you feel helpless
- Kingmaking: Players can influence who wins through trading decisions
- Can run long: Games sometimes drag past 90 minutes
- Base game is 3-4 players only: Need an expansion for 5-6
- Setup time: Building the board takes a while, especially for new players
- The robber: Getting targeted repeatedly isn't fun, especially for kids
Is Catan Still Worth It in 2024?
This is the question I get most often. My honest answer: yes, but with caveats.
Catan remains an excellent introduction to modern board gaming. The trading, the variable board, the satisfying arc of building your settlement into a civilization — it all still works. For families who haven't played many hobby board games, Catan delivers an experience you can't get from Monopoly or Life.
However, if you've already played a lot of modern games, Catan may feel dated. The luck factor is higher than most contemporary designs, and there are games that scratch similar itches with more elegant mechanics (like Ticket to Ride for route-building or Wingspan for engine-building).
- For your first game, use the beginner setup in the rulebook — it's balanced for learning
- Always trade. Even "bad" trades keep you in the game
- Diversify your resource access — don't put all your settlements on one resource type
- Numbers 6 and 8 are rolled most often; 2 and 12 are rare (but when they hit, it feels amazing)
- Don't forget development cards — they're often the path to victory
- Be strategic with the robber, not vindictive (unless it's your annoying older brother)
The Verdict
Catan is a classic for a reason. It's not perfect — the luck can frustrate, the games can drag, and being on the wrong end of the robber isn't fun. But the social dynamics, the excitement of a good dice roll, and the satisfaction of completing your settlement network make it a worthy addition to any family game shelf.
It's not my top recommendation anymore (that honor goes to Ticket to Ride), but Catan still earns its place in the board game hall of fame. Try it at least once — you'll understand why millions of families have gathered around this island.
Final Score: 8/10 — A classic that's showing its age but still delivers