Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sansing
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Digital remake of brilliant board game best for Catan vets.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Play Catan
What's It About?
In PLAY CATAN, players compete to govern a recently settled island by building up cities, roads, and settlements on the resource tiles that make up the game's map. Each newly built item adds to a player's total Victory Points, and the first player to 10 points wins. On each turn, a player rolls the dice. The number that gets rolled determines -- based on settled tiles -- which players receive resources. Players need to position themselves strategically on the board so they can get the most resources each turn, and must also trade with one another to try and gain an economic and strategic advantage.
Is It Any Good?
For fans of the original board game, Play Catan can be a fun, if dated, online experience, but it's difficult to learn how to play using the text-heavy and quick-paced online tutorials. A crowded matchmaking and game hosting interface makes it confusing to find the right game for kids and newbies. Consequently, it's better to learn how to play Settlers of Catan using the board game or iOS app. Once kids have a good handle on the game, it'll be fun to jump online and race other players to the top of the resource chain.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can explore the history of settlement in their regions.
Families can discuss how natural resources have aided settlers, colonists, and civilizations, and how resources have been used wisely and unwisely.
Families can explore different types of trade and exchange throughout history and across the world.
Families can discuss why Play Catan includes opportunities for cooperation and competition, and how/why players decide to help each other out or not.
Game Details
- Platforms : Linux , Mac , PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Subjects : Math : arithmetic , probability , ratio , Social Studies : government , power structures , the economy , Hobbies : board games
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : asking questions , decision-making , strategy , Self-Direction : identifying strengths and weaknesses , working efficiently , Communication : listening , Collaboration : cooperation , Responsibility & Ethics : fiscal responsibility , learning from consequences , making wise decisions , respect for others
- Pricing structure : Free ($1.19 day; $2.20 to $5.90/month)
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Catan GmbH
- Release date : October 23, 2009
- Genre : Strategy
- Topics : History
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate