Catan Online

The Settlers of Catan boardgame is an excellent example of a tabletop game that allows players to use a deceptively straightforward rule set to enjoy a great variety of gameplay. Players may start the game with relatively few resources but those who think ahead, and adapt to changing circumstances, soon create plenty of options and opportunities for themselves.

When we first visited Catan Online World we’d assumed it was a ‘storefront’ site, which would simply promote and sell the boardgame and its expansions. What we hadn’t expected was a straightforward gameplay interface, cartoon character ‘guides’ presenting interactive tutorials and a stack of free content.

The free download of the Catan card game went down well and it was also a pleasant surprise to be able to play Catan online at no cost. Simply download the software and there’s full access to a complete online version of the standard Settlers of Catan boardgame.

Catan Online’s ‘in-game’ interface is very easy to use

During our first visit we took a quick look at the online version of Catan but ended up playing the ‘hands-on’ boardgame. An invitation from Catan Online sent us back to the site to take a closer look at the online options.

Playing and watching Catan while online is calmer than gathering round a table for a game, as you can play the game at your own pace and consider possible strategies at leisure. However, as with the boardgame, it doesn’t take long for the intrigue to get started and about half-a-dozen turns to decide that you need to win. Players can add more in-game pressure through an online subscription, which offers access to the Seafarers pack and live play within the Catan community.

Catan is playable and displays well on mobile and touch devices

‘Real-time’ Catan, with up to six players, takes play back in the direction of the ‘hands-on’ versions and the site’s community makes it easy to find suitable opponents. Like the ‘hands-on’ game, the Seafarers pack and the Cities and Knights pack, which both come with a subscription, add extra options without overcomplicating the rule set.

It was at this point that we wondered if connections would lag, but the client software helps to share the workload and ‘premium’ play runs just as smoothly as standard play. As a whole the site’s design excels at offering tutorials and support. The site’s interface could, perhaps, be more streamlined. The thumbnail galleries and tabs offer a temporary solution to accommodating a wide selection of games and versions, but they’re ‘so last year’.

We’re always a bit doubtful about recommending subscription models but Catan Online World has pitched itself within the right price range. The site also goes out of its way to let you ‘try before you buy’, so there’s no sense of being pushed into signing up.

A year of unlimited access to everything on the site comes in at less than the cost of a yet another console ‘shooter’. The ‘shooter’ will be done in 20 hours tops, while Catan lasts all year. Check out the full downloadable demo, including the Seafarers add-on, here.