I got rid of Catan mainly because the luck of the dice which I felt often annoying for such a strategic game. However I have yet to find another game that delivers trading, expansion, resource management and variable setups (all around 60mins) with such elegance and simplicity. Other games are usually sugested if you like one or another aspect of Catan, but what if you like all of it? There's just no other game like Catan. As I said, the only thing I would change is the dice-tile activation, perhaps with a small deck that would cycle to evenly activate the tiles, but then that would spoil the trading aspect. I honestly consider Catan a masterpiece.
I played Bohnanza with my friends who only play Catan and they loved it. Brought it over to their house because of the trading aspect and we had a party of 7. It was great chaotic fun but only positive vibes, opposite that Catan can deliver sometimes.
I know theres def some split on this one but i picked up my farm shop on a couple of youtubers reccommending it and its been hitting that itch for me. Way more mitigation and i like that alot! Still feels resource based and fun to roll the right numbers so you dont habe to mitigate.
You got me intrigued on a few of these... I have 2 gaming group that are super different, both of which Catan acted as a gateway game. First group, we escalated to more complex game and loved our journey so far, though I've been mixing my library with medium games lately as we don't always have 3+ hours for every games (this group has a few AP players, but they enjoy the deeper decision space). Some of these games might be a good fight for this group. The other group is not receptive to more complicated rules and is happy with the complexity of Catan. I feel most of the games on this list (besides Valeria) would be too much for them.
Brass is MUCH easier if you just play the canal era and score accordingly. I doubt that's too complex for anyone, especially with some guidance. Doing a two turn intro works well, then scrap it and restart properly.
thank you for sharing, I totally overlook Valeria: Card Kingdoms, I thought it is an area control game, but now I see it in a different light and want to try asp :)
Have you played Dice Kingdoms of Valeria? It's like the roll and write version of Card Kingdoms of Valeria. Depending on what is rolled you can possibly get to do like 12 things, even though it's not your turn! It's a lot of fun!
Not sure I see the link between Catan and any of these (the three that I know). Maybe I'm too rigid in my thinking. But Concordia, Brass and Burgundy are all great games.
Curious if you will try not to repeat any games mentioned even though they may fit for multiple games? And say when you do the 9 Games To Try If You like Castles of Burgundy, will you mention Catan either as a main mention, or quickly say the reference to this video? An aside, on BGG I remember a post that challenged everyone to play "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" but get to their favorite game starting with x and seeing how many steps it took using the "this game is similar to/like" suggestion area on BGG. The extra challenge was something like doing the same thing, but not using Catan. It was a fun challenge.
Honestly Le Havre, Brass, Castles of Burgundy, and Concordia are all you need to have a great collection. 3 of those 4 games are in my top 10 of all time. One is my favorite. I have played 250 games so that tells you how good they are.
I hate Catan (the downside and the luck-based dice where you will get a couple of turns each game where you won't be able to do anything at all). I love Concordia and Brass and the rest of the games on your list are on a wish list or shelf of shame. Awesome games!
What is the “downside”?… Do you mean the “down time”? If so, to me, there are a lot of rounds at the beginning where you: 1) Roll dice; 2) Ask for a trade -> Nobody wants to trade; 3) You can’t build anything, so you give the dice to the next player… Which to me, isn’t “down time” - Although it doesn’t make for the most satisfying gameplay - that, I agree with.
Yes, down time. I mean the waiting until my turn. Almost always I know what I want to do and I do it fast (if I can). However, my friends are wondering all the time and take a lot longer. This is present in other games but there I can check my cards at disposal, analyze the board while waiting so it doesn't feel so tedious. I can do very little in Catan while waiting for my turn.@@JJ_TheGreat
Alex! Great video. Please make more videos like this. You condensed lots of info about specifics between games and that is hard to find. Thank you
Space Base is the board game that triggers my nostalgia for Catan most. Building a dice luck based engine while caring what happens on others' turns.
Wish you would have shown pictures of the games. So it is easier to follow what you try to explain.
I got rid of Catan mainly because the luck of the dice which I felt often annoying for such a strategic game. However I have yet to find another game that delivers trading, expansion, resource management and variable setups (all around 60mins) with such elegance and simplicity. Other games are usually sugested if you like one or another aspect of Catan, but what if you like all of it? There's just no other game like Catan. As I said, the only thing I would change is the dice-tile activation, perhaps with a small deck that would cycle to evenly activate the tiles, but then that would spoil the trading aspect. I honestly consider Catan a masterpiece.
Love this video! I hope it is successful and you make others using different game mechanics!
I played Bohnanza with my friends who only play Catan and they loved it. Brought it over to their house because of the trading aspect and we had a party of 7. It was great chaotic fun but only positive vibes, opposite that Catan can deliver sometimes.
I would say: if you like the negotiation part - try Bohnanza. If you like the expansion/resource management part - try Terra Nova
I know theres def some split on this one but i picked up my farm shop on a couple of youtubers reccommending it and its been hitting that itch for me. Way more mitigation and i like that alot! Still feels resource based and fun to roll the right numbers so you dont habe to mitigate.
You got me intrigued on a few of these... I have 2 gaming group that are super different, both of which Catan acted as a gateway game. First group, we escalated to more complex game and loved our journey so far, though I've been mixing my library with medium games lately as we don't always have 3+ hours for every games (this group has a few AP players, but they enjoy the deeper decision space). Some of these games might be a good fight for this group. The other group is not receptive to more complicated rules and is happy with the complexity of Catan. I feel most of the games on this list (besides Valeria) would be too much for them.
Brass is MUCH easier if you just play the canal era and score accordingly. I doubt that's too complex for anyone, especially with some guidance.
Doing a two turn intro works well, then scrap it and restart properly.
Love this type of video. Is there a similar one but for deck/bag building? Games like Clank! Or Games like Quacks etc.
I will be yes :)
Oh cool, a speculative video about people that couldn't possibly exist. We need more content about similar flights of fancy in the future!
I played Anno 1800 on the computer. As well as Port Royal
Note to self, be on the lookout for Anno 1800. Thanks for this list.
thank you for sharing, I totally overlook Valeria: Card Kingdoms, I thought it is an area control game, but now I see it in a different light and want to try asp :)
Have you played Dice Kingdoms of Valeria? It's like the roll and write version of Card Kingdoms of Valeria. Depending on what is rolled you can possibly get to do like 12 things, even though it's not your turn! It's a lot of fun!
You’re such an amazing friend, giving Jenna some alternatives after she CULLS CATAN!
I try...you have to fill the gap with something
My recommendation is that one to your left, Brazil.
Not sure I see the link between Catan and any of these (the three that I know). Maybe I'm too rigid in my thinking. But Concordia, Brass and Burgundy are all great games.
There's always going to be a degree of judgment call for sure.
Ty for your videos!
Is this directed at the board game garden? Still trying to get her to cull it.
😂
I feel called out. 🤣
@@TheBoardGameGarden Riiiiiiiight! How dare Alex call you out like this!
Lol it wasn't....but in hindsight I should have included some snide remarks :)
Curious if you will try not to repeat any games mentioned even though they may fit for multiple games? And say when you do the 9 Games To Try If You like Castles of Burgundy, will you mention Catan either as a main mention, or quickly say the reference to this video?
An aside, on BGG I remember a post that challenged everyone to play "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" but get to their favorite game starting with x and seeing how many steps it took using the "this game is similar to/like" suggestion area on BGG. The extra challenge was something like doing the same thing, but not using Catan. It was a fun challenge.
I think I'd be mindful if the same games kept popping up....but otherwise not worried about it.
Honestly Le Havre, Brass, Castles of Burgundy, and Concordia are all you need to have a great collection. 3 of those 4 games are in my top 10 of all time. One is my favorite. I have played 250 games so that tells you how good they are.
...If you are a Euro gamer.
@@timstimbre9762 true, but who’s not nowadays?
They're excellent games :)
@@BoardGameCo you ever play castles of burgundy as teams?
Just curious, which are top three? or ten?
Surprised Machi koro 2 or space base didn’t come up
He mentioned them when talking about Valeria Card Kingdom.
I would’ve started with Via Nebula !
What about island of el Dorado?
I never played that one sadly.
So I don't like Catan, should I not like any of these games? 😛
That depends...do you like any of these games?
@@BoardGameCo thankfully none of them had negotiation as a primary mechanism, so they are good.
Brass is amazing, and nothing like Catan. We like both games, but catan is very basic compared to the strategic decisions you make in Brass.
Someone send this to Carly rea jepson
This is crazy
@@BoardGameCo did you know that she is a big catan fan?
@@xshadowscreamx Yes :)
Where is Terra Mystica??
Not a game I loved :)
I hate Catan (the downside and the luck-based dice where you will get a couple of turns each game where you won't be able to do anything at all). I love Concordia and Brass and the rest of the games on your list are on a wish list or shelf of shame. Awesome games!
What is the “downside”?… Do you mean the “down time”?
If so, to me, there are a lot of rounds at the beginning where you: 1) Roll dice; 2) Ask for a trade -> Nobody wants to trade; 3) You can’t build anything, so you give the dice to the next player… Which to me, isn’t “down time” - Although it doesn’t make for the most satisfying gameplay - that, I agree with.
Yes, down time. I mean the waiting until my turn. Almost always I know what I want to do and I do it fast (if I can). However, my friends are wondering all the time and take a lot longer. This is present in other games but there I can check my cards at disposal, analyze the board while waiting so it doesn't feel so tedious. I can do very little in Catan while waiting for my turn.@@JJ_TheGreat