XBLA has given us a host of great games to play in the last year. Every since the vaunted “Summer of Arcade” hit, Microsoft has show a solid commitment to delivering a host of games to the 360 owners of the world. While most of these games have been of the “retro arcade” variety, there have been a solid number of games aimed at a more specific crowd. From the lovers of simple puzzle games to the old school Castlevania fans, XBLA has something for just about everyone. However, until now, the genre of the board/strategy game has been severely lacking on the service. While much has been mentioned by the Microsoft camp, not much has been delivered and it is with great rejoicing that Catan has entered the picture. With its “simple to learn, difficult to master” gameplay this staple of the boardgame world is a welcomed and much needed addition to the XBLA library.

Catan is the videogame adaption of the popular Settlers of Catan boardgame published by Mayfair games for years in the United States. With a huge following and a dedicated base of solid players, Catan makes for a simple yet addicting experience. The basic gameplay has players assuming the roles of settlers on the island of Catan. The island is made up of numbered hexagon tiles placed randomly. Each of the hexagonal tiles represents a particular land “type” that produces a resource. The resources in the game are: ore, wool, grain, lumber and brick. Players start with two settlements, which look like Monopoly houses, and two roads. Players put roads on the edges of the hexagonal tiles and settlements go on the corners, all settlements needing to be at least two corners apart from each other. Any land area touched by a settlement is the “settled” by the player and roads connect the various settlements together.

As each player takes their turn, a pair of dice is rolled and the number rolled corresponds to the number(s) on the resource tiles. Any player with a settlement on a tile that corresponds to the number rolled gets a resource card of matching type. Players use the collected resources to “pay” for new settlements, roads or cities (which produce more resources than a standard settlement). Players can also purchase development card which have various effects on the game. Each player can mitigate bad luck in terms of resource collection through use of trading. Each player can trade for resources with the other players in the game, or purchase resources “off the island” for a higher cost. Various spots on the board allow players to purchase resources for lower cost if settled by the player. Winning is done by collecting 10 Victory Points. Victory Points are gained in a variety of ways by adding settlements, cities, roads, having the longest road or playing certain development cards.

Through good building of roads and settlements and smart trading the core strategy of Catan is revealed. Players who really know their way around this game can make good use of these elements in order to win the game.



Catan for XBLA is a faithful translation of the boardgame and has all the features you need in order to make this great social experience available over Xbox Live. Over Live, you can have up to three other players join you in a game. Each important element in the game is essentially “hot-keyed” to one of the controller buttons. Trading is done via menu screens that are easy to navigate and a button push away. Resource menus are keyed to the various shoulder and trigger buttons making planning and purchasing a snap. The ability to move the “board” around and zoom out from the action helps keep this game simple and fun. Graphically we’re not talking anything stellar here, but all that’s really needed is a faithful representation of the boardgame and that is exactly what you get. Music is fine and used to keep the mood going, not to obnoxiously pound you with some crap tune. The game also comes with a fantastic “learn as you go” tutorial mode that teaches you the game while you’re playing. It’s a great way for folks who are new to the game to learn the ins and outs of Catan.

The only disappointment in Catan is regarding online play. While being a breeze to set up, some folks have reported frequent drop outs in the middle of a game. While nothing has been officially said on this matter, it could be a frustrating experience for those that get frequently booted. Nevertheless, Catan in a well done game and worth your $10.00.






Article By: Hilden