Whether it's pronounced Cuhtahn, Cuhtaan, or just called Settlers, The Settlers of Catan is my favorite board game. While I believe that its Cities and Knights expansion creates probably the best balance to the game, it is the original that I can play time and again. I cannot remember how it was introduced to me, but I became a zealous convert and spread it to all of my friends and family with the first year or so that I played it. While there are other games that I also enjoy playing, Catan is the one that I am always ready to play again.
After a couple of decades of use, my board--which had been "baptized" by beer more than once--was looking a little rough around the edges--literally. I've been contemplating getting another one for a little while now, but I don't like the edging that has replaced the ocean tiles in the versions of the game that came out after its original release. There is a beautiful official 3D board that came out for the game's 25th anniversary in 2020 that caught my eye despite its cost; however, it only features 3-4 players, and we've been playing on the 5-6 player sized board (whether we have 5 or more players or not) for long enough that I don't want to go back.
I was still contemplating the idea of buying two of the 3D sets (despite the sticker shock) and figuring out a way to make them work together when my friend, Rob, asked me what sets of pieces were missing some of their roads (I believe that we lost our first red road before Connor was even born). He told me that he had a surprise on order for me and wanted me to have full sets of pieces as well. When we visited last weekend, he handed me a set of frames for my board pieces that allow them to magnetically connect as well as special holders that have places for all of the pieces to the base game. The only thing missing were frames for my original-style boarder, which I then ordered.
The magnetic tiles for my ocean and harbor pieces arrived today. Although the game no longer fits in its original box, I have to admit that Rob's gift to us has made our twenty-year-old board almost seem brand new. With the tiles connecting magnetically as well as resting a bit higher off the table, the game board seems to spring to life. Meanwhile the organizing containers, as well as Janelle's new rose-colored set, make the pieces appear freshly vibrant as though they are begging to be played.
I really want to play now.
After a couple of decades of use, my board--which had been "baptized" by beer more than once--was looking a little rough around the edges--literally. I've been contemplating getting another one for a little while now, but I don't like the edging that has replaced the ocean tiles in the versions of the game that came out after its original release. There is a beautiful official 3D board that came out for the game's 25th anniversary in 2020 that caught my eye despite its cost; however, it only features 3-4 players, and we've been playing on the 5-6 player sized board (whether we have 5 or more players or not) for long enough that I don't want to go back.
I was still contemplating the idea of buying two of the 3D sets (despite the sticker shock) and figuring out a way to make them work together when my friend, Rob, asked me what sets of pieces were missing some of their roads (I believe that we lost our first red road before Connor was even born). He told me that he had a surprise on order for me and wanted me to have full sets of pieces as well. When we visited last weekend, he handed me a set of frames for my board pieces that allow them to magnetically connect as well as special holders that have places for all of the pieces to the base game. The only thing missing were frames for my original-style boarder, which I then ordered.
The magnetic tiles for my ocean and harbor pieces arrived today. Although the game no longer fits in its original box, I have to admit that Rob's gift to us has made our twenty-year-old board almost seem brand new. With the tiles connecting magnetically as well as resting a bit higher off the table, the game board seems to spring to life. Meanwhile the organizing containers, as well as Janelle's new rose-colored set, make the pieces appear freshly vibrant as though they are begging to be played.
I really want to play now.
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