Catan

Catan is a serviceable rendition of the tabletop classic – just don't go in expecting dedicated support or functioning online servers.

Lacking value-added features or even intuitive controls this feels like a stilted replacement for the in-person experience

CATAN: Console Edition is fun, but that has more to do with the design of the original board game than it does the digital incarnation. Combine that with inconsistent music quality and frustrating glitches, and the only real selling point is that it's cheaper than the board game version, and has online play.

If you’re a Catan or board game fan, or just enjoy a relaxing, easy-to-pick-up experience then this is worth your consideration.

Catan – Console Edition is a perfectly fine adaptation of a hugely popular board game. The developers have done their best to make it work for both online and offline play, and present it gorgeously. I just wish that another, equally talented developer, took Twilight Struggle, or the Game of Thrones board game, or any of a few hundred other incredible board games and adapted those instead.

Catan: Console Edition has some design issues but can be manageable when desperately looking for a CATAN fix on current generation consoles. It certainly needs some work in its default setup, speed options, and dice-rolling mechanics, but for the most part, it still does the trick.

While it's functional I feel that Catan: Console Edition could have done a bit more to sway me from playing with its cardboard counterpart. The multiplayer features and AI do a lot for players who cannot get three friends together but some of its presentation, especially the audio side, leaves a bit to be desired. The app could also do with a bit of work to make it more viable. While I will be quite happy to play this by myself or when there is only two of us, it will never replace its board game equivalent. Catan: Console Edition could have been great, as it is, its serviceable, which is a shame.

A fun and accessible introduction to the world of Catan but technical failings and a lack of options mean it's not quite the adaptation it could've been.

It’s a bit difficult to whole-heartedly recommend this digital iteration of Catan. Those new to the series might be better served by starting the old-fashioned way: with the tabletop game and a group of friends.

Overall, Catan is a competent reproduction of the popular board game on Switch. It’s understated in some ways as board game-based games are, but it also has a lot of variety to the game, including various offline scenarios and an online multiplayer mode through Nintendo Online. Available DLC adds more to the package.