Highlights
- Catan's popularity can be attributed to its negotiation aspect and simple gameplay, making it accessible to almost everyone.
- Monopoly shares similarities with Catan, such as resource management and negotiation, which is why both games are widely known and played.
- Ticket to Ride is another game similar to Catan, with goals of building connected railway networks and resource management, providing a satisfying experience for train enthusiasts.
Settlers fo Catan, now simply known as Catan, is one of the most popular board games available today. There are several reasons for this, first being the negotiation aspect of it. No matter the position you find yourself in, or how scanty your resources are, a good negotiator can convince other players to help them out.
On top of that, despite the intricate looking board and numerous resources, it's a rather simple game to play. This combination, along with numerous editions and collaborations has propelled Catan's popularity into the stratosphere - almost everybody knows how to play it. If you're a fan of Catan, then you should definitely try out these other board games.
Monopoly
Always pick the T-Rex pawn.
Monopoly is arguably the most famous board game in the world, and shares a number of similar aspects with Catan. Resource management and negotiation are major pillars for both board games, making it evident why both of them are so popular. If you're into board games, it's likely that you've already played Monopoly, so, you know what I'm talking about.
- Countless editions and localisations.
- Simple ruleset, which almost everyone will know.
- An all-time classic.
The similarities between Catan and Monopoly are so evident, that the former featured in our list of best board games like Monopoly. The most evident similarity is the fact that you need to negotiate with other players if you want to make it all the way to the end. Both games have become behemoths in the tabletop industry, with multiple editions and collaborations.
Ticket To Ride
Clear the line!
One of the goals of Catan is the build the longest road network, while that for Ticket to Ride is to build the most connected railway network. Elements of resource management also exist in both. Another similarity is that both allow you to role-play as evil, mustache twirling industrialists. Make sure you have your top hat on.
- Great for train enthusiasts.
- Connecting multiple cities is quite satisfying.
- Cosplaying as wealthy industrialists is always fun.
Widely considered another great gateway game for newcomers, the ruleset for Ticket to Ride are delightfully simple. Collect cards, build trains, connect cities on the map. Once you've mastered the basics, however, it quickly becomes a tense strategy game of trying to figure out the best way to connect your routes without running afoul of everyone else.
Terraforming Mars
No one can hear you negotiate in space
Terraforming Mars is like playing Catan on hardcore mode. Instead of simply making a road network somewhere in continental Europe, you're ensuring that human beings will be able to survive and flourish on the red planet. Both feature negotiation and resource management, and hexagonal spaces, but Terraforming Mars also features sabotage.
- Beautifully designed board and tokens.
- Dystopian futures are always fun.
- You get to colonize Mars.
Terraforming Mars is often considered the final evolution of Catan. It takes a lot of Catan's features and adds several interesting layers to them. There are also various other factors to take into consideration, like oxygen, projects, and geography. Oh, and in case you didn't figure it out, it's set in space.
Carcassonne
Don't ever talk to me or my Meeple ever again
Carcassonne is a tile-placing strategy game that's perfect for players that don't want to bargain or negotiate with others for resources. In Carcassonne, you rely solely on your own foresight when it comes to placing tiles and placing your Meeples on the right tile. Like Catan, you're still building roads to get you points, but cities, fields, and monasteries will get you more.
- No need for negotiations with other players.
- Completing roads and cities is very satisfying.
- Pretty simple ruleset.
Carcassonne is inspired by the history and geography of the French city from which it takes its name. Without dice or cards, this game is more about building your world as opposed to harvesting resources from a pre-determined one. Players that prefer to focus on strategy, as opposed to haggling, in their board games would like Carcassonne.
The Castles Of Burgundy
Another one set around France.
The Castles of Burgundy shares elements of resource management with Catan. However, instead of merely buying and selling lumber for whatever price you want, The Castles of Burgundy has an intricate procedure to decide which player gets the resources in each phase.
- Beautifully designed board and tokens.
- Short play time.
- Features multiple expansions.
Castles of Burgundy uses the same medieval European aesthetic as board games like Catan, as well as the hexagon concept, but branches out to include other interesting features. There's a lot for players to do. The different cards make it easier to keep track of settlements, workers, and other aspects, so this is also an ideal game for younger players.
Agricola
Sometimes, your only competitor is yourself
Agricola is like if Stardew Valley was a board game. You need to grow, upgrade, and tend to your farm. Collecting resources and building various structures will get you more points. As for its similarity with Catan, both feature resource management, but in Agricola you're mostly competing against yourself.
- Each session is different.
- Can be played solo.
- Creates a calming situation, rather than a competitive one.
Agricola is a little like a microcosm of Catan. It takes the same premise of surviving in a new place and considers it on an individual scale. You'll play as a farmer who needs to slowly build up their property into a bustling agricultural center by collecting resources and building new features.
1 FAQ
Is Catan actually fun?
Yes, Catan is tremendously fun to play, if you like resource management based strategy board games.
Why is Catan so famous?
Catan dabbles with multiple genres, making it unique. It has also received multiple editions and versions.
What game is Catan similar to?
Catan is similar to other board games like Monopoly Ticket to Ride, and others that are mentioned above.