Game Review 1 (written by Nathankt13) Added on: 03/03/2007
This game is based on the board game of the same name that has become national sensation just months ago. If you haven’t heard of this game personally then ask around, I’m sure it won’t be too long before you find someone that owns and completely loves it. This game is a perfect combination of strategy and luck. This game is deeply based on your own strategy, which you must change often throughout the game, but unlike chess each game starts off completely different each time you play it.
The objective of the game is to beat the others players to a set number of points. You can earn points by building settlements or cities, from development cards, or by having the longest road or largest armies. You can build or buy these things by using resource cards of wood, brick, ore, sheep, and wheat which you can gain by each roll of the dice. One of the most unique features of the game is the ability to trade. You can trade one resource card to a desperate computer to score two cards from him or you can use seaports to trade either two to one or three to one ratios of cards of your choice.
If you enjoy tough strategy games then this is most certainly the game for you, but if you’re not the most strategy savvy player out there then you’re in luck, the computer version of this game makes things simpler and easier to understand. The instructions aren’t very descriptive of the game but one go around watching the computers play and messing with the interface and you’ll pick it up quickly.
I was addicted to this game the first time I played the board game, I didn’t even know the name of the game or the people I was playing with but this is easily the most intriguing and addictive game you’ll ever play. The moment I saw the computer version I knew I needed to have it, that way I can play whenever I want, even when my friends and family are completely sick of me asking them to play. This board game itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour to play but this version shortens that time considerably, but you can also make it longer if you want to by changing the number of and difficulty of players and things like that. This is easily one of the best games you will ever come in contact with.
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Game Review 2 (written by Kripasreene) Added on: 02/24/2007
Settlers of Catan is a very good strategy game, where players have to build settlements, based on the resources they get. This game has options of playing with three or four players, with various levels of expertise. The animation is very good.
There are several different strategies, depending on, where you put your initial settlements. One strategy is to increase production first and then expand. The other one is to build as many roads as you can, block off others and then start the production. Both strategies work well.
The development cards are a big deal. You can easily get a lot of victory points and nobody will know where you stand in the game.
The game starts rather slow, but picks up speed very quickly. The ending comes rather abruptly, as one need just 10 points to win. And the hidden victory points are very important. So, watch out for how many development cards people get and use during the game. That might indicate where they are in the game. If you have monopoly card, use it wisely. Look for resources that might be in abundant and ask for resources, you need. You can always trade for something favorable.
On the whole, it is a great strategy game and involves a lot of thinking. I like it.
Settlers of Catan at Wikipedia
Settlers of Catan at MobyGames
Comments
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Esw123 (12/15/2006)
Settlers of Catan is a good version of the board game. It reproduces the strategy and planning of the board game. The game is also easy to learn and use for beginners as well as children. I would suggest it as a lead in for advancing on to other strategy games that need planning and strategy in order to win. |
