Catan: Family Edition (2012) Board Game

Catan: Family Edition is a simplified version of the classic board game Settlers of Catan, designed specifically for families with younger children. Released in 2012, this version maintains the core mechanics of the original game while making it more accessible for players ages 10 and up.

Game Components of Catan: Family Edition

Board: A six-piece jigsaw board, forming a hexagonal island, with reversible and interlocking pieces to ensure a circular shape and varied setups.

Components: Plastic settlements, roads, and cities; half-size development and resource cards; cardboard cards showing building costs and victory point awards.

Resources: Grain, wool, ore, lumber, and brick.

How To Setup Catan: Family Edition

Setting up *Catan: Family Edition* is streamlined compared to the original. The game includes six interlocking board pieces that form a hexagonal island. These pieces are reversible, offering different arrangements each time the game is set up. This design makes the setup process simpler and quicker, as it eliminates the need to lay out individual hexes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Collection: Players gather resources (grain, wool, ore, lumber, and brick) through dice rolls or trading with other players.

Building: Use resources to construct roads, settlements, cities, and cultural landmarks.

Trading: Engage in trading with other players to acquire needed resources.

Game Objective: The goal is to be the first player to achieve 10 victory points by building settlements, cities, and roads, or by collecting development cards.

Player Experience

*Catan: Family Edition* is designed to be highly accessible and easy to learn, making it an excellent introduction to the world of board games for families. The game promotes social interaction through trading and strategic development, keeping players engaged and involved throughout. The simplified components and easier setup process enhance the overall player experience, making it a great stepping stone from simpler games like *Monopoly*.

Pros

Easy Setup: The six-piece jigsaw board makes setup quick and simple.

Simplified Components: Cheaper and simpler pieces, such as plastic settlements and half-size cards, reduce complexity without losing gameplay depth.

High Replayability: Reversible board pieces offer a variety of setups, increasing replay value.

Family-Friendly: Designed to be easy to learn and play, making it suitable for families with children aged 10 and above.

Cons

Limited Compatibility: Not compatible with expansions and extensions of the regular *Catan* game due to the different board size and piece design.

Thinner Cards: The resource and development cards are somewhat thinner compared to the original game.

Port Readability: The ports on the board can be a bit hard to read.

Personal Thoughts on Catan: Family Edition

*Catan: Family Edition* is an excellent choice for families looking to introduce their children to more complex board games. It retains the core mechanics and strategic depth of the original *Settlers of Catan* but simplifies the components and setup, making it more accessible. This version is ideal for those who want a fun, engaging game without the need for expansions or complex rules. However, for those interested in the full *Catan* experience with all the expansions, the original version might be a better choice.

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