Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe (2011) Board Game
Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe is a standalone game in the Catan Histories series, which offers players a unique take on the classic Catan gameplay by focusing on the historical setting of medieval Europe. Designed by Klaus Teuber, this game allows players to take on the roles of merchants traveling across Europe, establishing trade routes, and competing for resources and power.
Game Components of Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe
How To Setup Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe
Setup involves placing the game board, distributing resources, and each player starting with three trading posts in designated cities. Players also receive a set of merchants and initial resources. The board features various terrain types (forest, pasture, fields, mountains, and saltworks) that produce different resources. Players place their trading posts on purple city-sites during the initial setup.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Player Experience
Playing Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe feels similar to the original Settlers of Catan, but with a distinct focus on trade and commodity delivery. The game is less about trading between players and more about strategic resource management and expanding your trading empire. The absence of surprise victories from development cards makes the game more predictable, but the need to manage multiple resources and trading routes keeps it engaging. However, the full game can be lengthy, almost doubling the playtime compared to the shorter version.
Pros
Cons
Personal Thoughts on Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe
This game is ideal for fans of the Settlers of Catan series looking for a new challenge with a historical twist. While it may not live up to the original Settlers of Catan in terms of player interaction and trading dynamics, it offers a unique and engaging experience focused on building and managing a trading empire. It is particularly suitable for those who enjoy strategic resource management and the satisfaction of delivering commodities across a medieval European landscape. If you’re a Catan completionist or simply looking for a game with a strong thematic focus, Catan Histories: Merchants of Europe is definitely worth considering.
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