Catan

 Switch
  • Publisher: Asmodee
  • Release Date: Jun 20, 2019
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Screen Rant
    Jul 25, 2019
    70
    Make no mistake, this version of Catan is exactly the same as the one you know and love, it just can't be played the same way. You'll need friends, each with their own version and solid wi-fi to play with you. You could even play in the same room with a couple of AI if you so desire, but something tactile would be missing. Not quite a companion, not quite a stand-alone version, Catan for the Switch is nonetheless a fun, captivating alternative way to end friendships and conquer the island.
  2. Nintendo Insider
    Aug 2, 2019
    60
    It’s tough to fault Catan on Switch when it comes to how faithful this recreation is compared to the original source material. Unfortunately, a pretty vacant online community and a lack of any sort of local multiplayer really hurt its long-term appeal. An enjoyable adaption but one unlikely to replace the original physical version any time soon.
  3. Game Revolution
    Jun 27, 2019
    60
    It does just enough to get the job done. As we’ve seen with many releases on Switch, that’s usually enough for most people.
  5. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Jun 26, 2019
    60
    Ultimately, Catan is a faithful recreation of the classic board game, and for that, I applaud it. I love being able to take Catan with me wherever I go and never concerning myself with having people to play with me. You probably won’t be spending large chunks of time with this in a single sitting, but the game’s autosave feature makes it incredibly convenient to pick up and put down on a whim. Catan isn’t perfect, but if you’re a fan of board games, you should enjoy it nonetheless.
  6. MGG
    Jun 26, 2019
    58
    Catan for the Switch could have been a success if one major defect had not been present. Maneuverability, customization of the board, the different game modes — everything has been designed to make the game appeal to all types of players. However, you need a Switch Online subscription to even hope of playing against other players. There is no local multiplayer either, so you can forget about playing with your family or your friends.
  7. DualShockers
    Jul 8, 2019
    50
    Quotation forthcoming.
  8. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 25, 2019
    50
    I can't help but think to myself that there are so many more interesting board games that I'd much rather have on my Switch than a serviceable version of Catan.
  9. NintendoWorldReport
    Jun 24, 2019
    50
    Much of the enjoyment of what my friends and I affectionately call “Settlers” or “Sottlers” (don’t ask) is the social element of chatting, taunting, teasing, and laughing while gathered around a table. One potentially neat thing is that you earn experience points while playing, and by leveling up you can unlock new tile, game piece, and table themes, but earning some of these bonuses can take a lot longer than you are likely to want to play. Catan on Switch doesn’t have that, so unless you really enjoy playing board games against A.I. or have the patience to wait for potentially unsatisfying online competition, you are better off building the largest army or longest road somewhere else.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
2.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 10 out of 12
  1. with_a_will
    Jul 28, 2019
    0
    I made an account to write this review. DO NOT BUY.

    The lack of local multiplayer doesn't bother me and was evident from the store page.    I made an account to write this review. DO NOT BUY.

    The lack of local multiplayer doesn't bother me and was evident from the store page. Games that involve hidden cards don't typically work well on single screens anyway, and I was eager to try the campaign mode for some unique challenges. However, the campaign mode is biased against the human player. AI opponents will offer a trade, but if you're the only one who accepts it, they'll change their minds. They will place the robber on your spaces, block your roads, and I swear even the dice rolls are stacked against you. The AI will do this regardless of whether you are in first or dead last. Then, after you lose, they will admonish you for not paying enough attention, and it's endlessly annoying to be blamed for events beyond your control. Skip all of the dialogue, they don't say anything important anyway. In fact, you have to wait until you've loaded in and the game has started before you can even see how many victory points it takes to win or whether any special rules are in effect.

    It's buggy, too. Menus are awkward to use until you get used to them, and it crashes with increasing frequency the farther you get in the campaign. Normally you'd get points even for losing, but not when the game crashes. Campaign progress saves automatically, but game progress does not, you have to manually save if you want to come back, which means saving every turn if you want to avoid losing a game to a crash.

    Overall a frustrating waste of time that makes me extremely disappointed that the Switch store doesn't have a rating system or refund policy. Could be a good game if they ever finish it, which isn't likely.    … Full Review »
  2. ShamanPengu
    Jun 23, 2019
    1
    No local multiplayer. Completely ruins the fun if I can't play with my wife on one console.
  3. Pandabear41
    Jun 22, 2019
    1
    Catan game is fun on switch, but the lack of local multiplayer makes this game worthless. Was going to get this game for family game night,Catan game is fun on switch, but the lack of local multiplayer makes this game worthless. Was going to get this game for family game night, but I guess I can't put away the physical board game quite yet.… Full Review »
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