No game has been on my shelf longer than Settlers of Catan. This game was the only game we had for many years, and it has gotten by far the most plays of any game in my collection. My wife and I have introduced this game to couple after couple (25?), and we have seen these friends introduce the game to their friends. We have left behind us in the three cities that we have lived in a trail of Settler-holics and board game addicts.

For those who don't know what Settlers is about, the base game is for four players. On a board made up of hexes, players build settlements and roads. Settlements generate resources, which are used to build more settlements and roads and to upgrade the settlements to cities. Resources can be traded and can also be spent on development cards that give certain bonuses. There is a robber who is moved about on the board, stealing from the players. First player to ten points wins.

What follows is my list of reasons why Settlers is a great game!

First, some reasons from the game itself:

1. The board. The board in Settlers is made up of hexes. You can arrange the hexes in a predetermined way or simply lay them out randomly. Numbers, ranging from 2-12 are laid out on the board. Every time you play, you can use a different board. I have the original version of Settlers (it has recently been redone). The artwork is well-done and the board looks great once the settlements, roads and cities start to appear.

2. The trading. I love negotiation. Settlers has negotiation in spades, as players try to get from each other the resources they need. Here is where the various characters of the players come out and have their effect on the game, again making each play different. Some will hoard their stuff, others trade freely. Others use their trades to affect the flow of the game, helping the stragglers, hindering the leaders. This is perhaps my favourite aspect of Settlers, the fact that each play reflects so much the players who are involved.

3. The robber. Some people hate the robber. I hate the robber when he lands on my ore, where I have a number 6 and two cities. But the robber is still a great mechanic. He keeps the game balanced and slows down the leader so that others can catch up. Besides you can always move him by rolling a seven or with a soldier card. We have the house rule that the robber cannot come into play until everyone has rolled once. This is just to speed up the game by having new resources come into people's hands instead of having them just steal from each other.

4. Building. I play all kinds of games with all kinds of people. In my experience, building games are always successful. No matter who wins or loses, you at least had the satisfaction of making something. In Settlers you get to expand your little mini empire by means of roads and settlements and cities. Great fun!

5. More than one path to victory. Maybe you've been squeezed out on the board and only have room for three cities (6 points). No matter, there's still the longest road, the largest army, or the five victory point cards in the development deck. I've seen a person win with just 4 points on the board. This gives the game even more variety.

Here are some more general reasons why Settlers is a great game:

5. Its not Monopoly or Risk or the Farming Game. The majority of people we introduce Settlers to have only known these three games. Settlers has all the great advantages of the Eurogame: reasonable playing time, no player elimination, not a mindless luck-fest. (Yes, there are dice in Settlers, but it is still a game that rewards smart play). Many people, experiencing a german style game for the first time, are hooked right away. I know that we have been directly responsible for many a couple going out right away to buy themselves a copy.

6. Its easy to learn. After explaining the rules, all you need to tell people is that they should try to have their original settlements touching as many different numbers as possible. Then its off and running for a great evening of fun.

7. Its a step to more gaming. Not everyone who plays Settlers becomes a board game fanatic. But we've seen the shelves of our friends start to pile up with other games, like Peurto Rico, Bohnanza, Princes of Florence, etc.

Then there's the expansions:

As with any successful game, the designers have given us expansions. Settlers comes with its share, which can be used to customize the game to your own playing style.

8. Seafarers of Catan. This expansion adds boats and lets you set sail and explore. There is more space on the board and thus this version is perfect for those who like less direct competition.

9. Cities and Knights of Catan. For those who want to get into more detail, this expansion adds buildings, more cards, knights and a barbarian invasion fleet.

10. Settlers Card Game. This is the game for two players. Build and expand your principality with buildings like the aqueduct, garrison, church, etc. My wife and I have played this countless times and have a long-standing rivalry going.

11. 5 and 6 player expansion.

Besides these, there is the Starfarers of Catan, which brings Settlers into space (I have never played it). And still, the base game by itself is great. In fact, with all the expansions, the base game is still our favourite and most frequently played. We now have a closet full of great games, but Settlers of Catan never has time to gather dust. It is one of our favourites and will continue to be so. Simple play, satisfying results and endless variety make it a game that you can play over and over again. And you should never have trouble finding players.