Settlers of Catan or Carcassonne?

[mamapjama]

For an almost 9 year old? They sound somewhat similar. Are they?

[Melinda in VT]

For an almost 9 year old? They sound somewhat similar. Are they?

 

Not really.

 

Carcassonne is easier to play (although harder to score).

 

Settlers is the more popular game in our family.

[smrtmama]

Carcassone has much less complex game play. My 9 year old has been able to play it for a couple of years.

[RanchGirl]

Carcassonne is easier to play, might be better for a 9 year old. Our family much prefers Catan though, it's more interesting and there are more variables, like setting up the board in different ways.

[blessed3x]

We have both, but always play Catan. My ds8 beat dh & I today, and that happens quite a bit.

My vote is for Catan. : -)

[homefront]

My 7 year old can play both and my 5 year old can play Carcassonne. Personally I like Settlers over Carcassonne but there is something to be learned from both games. Both games can be played in less than an hour and have definite end points. Carcassonne scoring is harder because you try to get the most points, where Settlers you are racing to the goal of 10 points. Both of my kids are required to do their own scoring with Carcassonne and have very few problems.

[Guest Cheryl in SoCal]

We much prefer Settlers of Catan. We found Carcassonne to be boring in comparison.

[justasque]

If your kid is experienced with games, and is patient enough to play a fairly long, complex game where you may not be able to see the strategy until you've played a few times, then Settlers. If he's less experienced, less patient, then Carcassonne.

 

Or, put another way, Settlers is more complex than Carcassonne. If you get C. this year, then you can get S. next year, if you see what I mean. Yes, you can do it the other way around, but I think that's the logical progression.

[jujsky]

Carcassonne is easier to play. Settlers is more fun :D