Settlers of Catan (often called Catan) is a strategy-based board game designed by Klaus Teuber. It falls under the category of Eurogames and offers exciting features in the form of Territory Building, Resource Management, Negotiation, and Social Interactions. Catan is a classic vintage board game that still retains its popularity and cult status. However, let’s face it—Catan is history for many seasoned players. Most board game enthusiasts have played it countless times and are now seeking newer and more challenging strategy board games like Catan that offer fresh mechanics, player interaction, or even military-style gameplay.
If you’re one of those players looking for games like Settlers of Catan that retain its core mechanics but add new layers of complexity, competitiveness, or even a thematic twist—this list is for you. From resource trading and strategic expansion to army-based conflict and alliance-building, these games cover a range of alternatives. Whether you want casual fun or deep, strategy board games like Catan with army elements, we’ve got it all covered.
Top Strategy Board Games Like Catan to Try in 2025
Here are the top board games like Settlers of Catan that are perfect alternatives for newbies and even seasoned board game enthusiasts.
Game
Google Play Rating
Downloads
Ticket to Ride
4.6/5
500K+
Catan Junior
4.4/5
10K+
Carcassonne
4.6/5
100K+
Terraforming Mars
4.8/5
50K+
Pyramido
N/A
N/A
Crescent Moon
N/A
N/A
Agricola
4.4/5
50K+
Monopoly
4.2/5
10M+
Ticket to Ride
If you want a similar game to Catan that includes planning and fulfilling objectives, Ticket to Ride is a great alternative for you. Similar to Catan, Ticket to Ride is a classic board game and one of the best options to dive into the world of strategic tabletop games. The gameplay seems simple at first glance. Players have to connect cards and connect cities by building trains. However, it gets very strategic as you have to figure out the best way to connect your routes without bumping or colliding with others.
Features of Ticket to Ride
A great option for train enthusiasts and territory-building lovers
Connecting multiple cities is rewarding
Cosplay as wealthy industrialists running a railroad
Catan Junior
As the name suggests, Catan Junior is a simplified version of the game designed for younger players and non-gamers. It is a great gateway board game for those who want to introduce their non-gamer friends to the strategic world of Catan.
If you are looking for an exciting game like Catan for your kids, Catan Junior is probably the best option. It is a lightweight version of the classic board game designed for players who were overwhelmed by the various components and strategies of the original Catan.
Features of Catan Junior
Retains the elements of the original game
Simplified rules for a younger audience
An exciting pirate theme
Great gateway strategy board game
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a tile-placement strategy game set in a medieval landscape. Players take turns to draw a tile and place it to build roads, cities, and fields, creating a unique map for each game. After placing a tile, the player can place his ‘meeple’ in one of the areas- a Knight in the city, a farmer in the field, a robber on the road, and a monk on the cloister. When the area is completed, the meeple scores points for the player.
By strategically placing meeples, players can earn points for completing them. While the mechanics are simple, mastering Carcassonne requires deep strategy, making it a great option for beginner as well as advanced players.
Features of Carcassonne
Dynamic Tile Placement, players can make a new map each game
Strategic Meeple Deployment
Beginner-friendly
Various expansion options
Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars is basically a space version of Catan. It is a highly strategic engine-building and resource management board game set in a futuristic sci-fi setting where players work together to terraform Mars. The game features hexagonal tiles and tokens along with cards that are used to claim water, collect resources, and build cities.
These cards come with special bonuses and abilities that players can use to beat other corporations. Players fund and manage projects like raising Mars’ temperature and creating an atmosphere while also building green zones and cities to claim extra points.
Features of Terraforming Mars
An engine-building game that requires deep strategy
Includes cards that offer special abilities
Replayability
Shared Terraforming Goals
Expansions like Venus Next and Prelude
Pyramido
As the name suggests, Pyramido is set in Ancient Egypt and the objective is simple—create the most impressive pyramid anyone has ever seen. The game uses worker and tile placement mechanics that require players to build pyramids. While its mechanics are simpler than Catan, that does not mean it’s easier. The game does not tolerate any mistakes and if you constantly make wrong decisions, you can also get eliminated.
Features of Pyramido
Build the most impressive pyramid by acquiring tiles
Simple gameplay mechanics but tough to master
Worker and Tile Placement Mechanics
Ancient Egyptian theme
Crescent Moon
Crescent Moon is a resource management game that forces players to betray each other. It is an asymmetric strategy board game set in a fantasy medieval Middle Eastern world. The game takes place in a kingdom filled with suffering and players assume various roles with distinct goals and unique abilities to take control of the land.
If it sounds too complicated, it’s because it is. The game has an average playtime of 180 minutes, depending on the mode players choose. For board game enthusiasts, Crescent Moon is a perfect game like Catan with strategic gameplay and head-racking complexity. It’s also ideal if you’re searching for games like Catan with army or conflict-based mechanics, as it emphasizes asymmetric power struggles and area control through military strategies.
Features of Crescent Moon
Each role has unique abilities and gameplay
Area Control mechanics
Resource Management
High Replayability
Agricola
Agricola is like if Harvest Moon was a board game. Players have to tend to a farm, grow crops, raise cattle, and build structures. Collecting resources and upgrading your farm will help score points. This is essentially a survival game where players have to set up and upgrade their farm from scratch.
You will play as a farmer who has to transform a farmland into a bustling agricultural hub by collecting resources and upgrading buildings. It’s one of the most detailed resource-based strategy board games like Catan, with more focus on agriculture and survival mechanics.
Features of Agricola
Dynamic gameplay, making each session different
Solo gameplay
Offers a relaxing experience instead of a competitive one.
Resource gathering and management
Monopoly
Who doesn’t know Monopoly? The classic board game requires no introduction as it is the most successful board game in the world. It shares a number of similarities with Catan, featuring strategic gameplay and territory building. Both games revolve around negotiation and upgrading living spaces.
While the core premise is different, both games feature the same mechanics. Monopoly is a strategic board game like Catan where players circle the board, acquire properties, build hotels, and collect rent. The primary objective is to force other players to go bankrupt while maintaining your bankroll.
Games like Settlers of Catan are built with a blend of creative game mechanics, strategic depth, and immersive user experiences. From tile placement systems to resource management engines, these board games require careful design and technical execution to work seamlessly across digital platforms.
If you have a unique concept in mind — maybe a strategy board game like Catan with army-building features or something entirely new — BR Softech can help turn your vision into a playable, high-quality app. With over a decade of experience in board game development, we specialize in designing cross-platform strategy games with custom gameplay, multiplayer logic, and visually engaging design.
Have an idea? Reach out to our team to explore what it takes to build the next Catan-style board game for web, Android, or iOS.
Board games like Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Terraforming Mars offer players the chance to experience a whole new world of strategy, creativity, and social interaction. Whether you’re a newbie seeking accessible gameplay or a seasoned strategist craving depth and strategy, these games provide endless opportunities for fun and engagement.
Each Catan alternative offers something unique, from resource management and tile placement to futuristic terraforming challenges or army-driven conquest. So if you’re hunting for board games like Catan with army conflict, or just smart and social games like Settlers of Catan, there’s something here for every kind of player. Pick a game, gather your friends, and embark on your next tabletop adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What are the best board games similar to Catan?
Ans. There are a wide range of board games like Catan that offer strategic and competitive gameplay. Some of the best Settler of Catan alternatives include Ticket to Ride, Terraforming Mars, Carcassonne, Crescent Moon, Pyramido, and more. These strategy board games like Catan provide rich mechanics such as resource trading, territory expansion, and in some cases, army-based gameplay for players who want more action and control.
Q.2 What makes Catan a popular board game?
Ans. Catan is a classic vintage board game that offers exciting features like territory building, resource management, negotiation, and strategy. It delivers highly competitive gameplay that forces players to think strategically and outsmart others.
Q.3 Can Catan be played solo or only with multiple players?
Ans. Catan is a strategic multiplayer board game that requires multiple players. It cannot be played solo.
Q.4 How long does a typical game of Catan last?
Ans. A typical game of Settlers of Catan usually lasts one to two hours depending on the number of players and their experience.
Q.5 What are the expansions for Catan and what do they add to the game?
Ans. Catan has various game expansions including Catan Seafarers, Catan: Cities and Knights, Catan 5-6 Player Extension, and Catan Seafarers + Cities and Knights expansion. These expansions introduce naval exploration, military knights, and increased player capacity—making Catan feel like an entirely new experience.
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