{"id":12353,"date":"2024-08-18T16:50:48","date_gmt":"2024-08-18T16:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=12353"},"modified":"2024-08-18T16:50:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-18T16:50:48","slug":"catan-new-energies-review-climate-crisis-across-the-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=12353","title":{"rendered":"Catan: New Energies Review\u2014Climate Crisis Across the Board"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Not everyone will<\/span> appreciate a side of existential threat with their board game, but that is exactly what you get with Catan: New Energies. It drags the beloved classic Catan into the modern day with fossil fuels and renewable energy, an inventive climate crisis mechanic, and a clever illustration of the consequences if we fail to work toward a greener world. This stand-alone board game for two to four players doesn\u2019t require the original, though experienced players will grasp it more easily.<\/p>\n

While the message is clear, the makers did not forget about flow or fun. The addictive hook of Catan, the deals, the room for multiple strategies, and the variation in playthroughs are all present and correct. It is familiar enough to entice old fans and fresh enough to demand a look for newcomers. New Energies also succeeds in making its point, and our first game provoked a long and interesting conversation with my kids about why climate change is happening<\/a> and why some folks are not on board with fighting it.<\/p>\n

New Age Catan<\/h2>\n

If you are unfamiliar, The Settlers of Catan was first published in 1995. The game takes place on a fictional medieval island with hexagonal tiles placed randomly, ensuring plenty of replay value. Players must build roads, towns, and cities by spending resources like lumber and grain. Resources are collected and traded after dice rolls to determine which tiles pay out each turn. A robber mechanic spices things up when anyone rolls a seven, and some additional achievements and cards provide victory points. The winner is the first person to amass 10 victory points.<\/p>\n

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