Gloomhaven vs Catan
Side by side comparison of two top board games
Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is a game of tactical combat in a persistent world of shifting motives. Players take on the role of wandering mercenaries with their own specializations, goals, and personal stories. Each scenario in Gloomhaven presents a new challenge, and players must work together to overcome enemies and obstacles. Between scenarios, players improve their characters by gaining new abilities, items, and perks. The game also features a legacy-style component where choices made in one scenario affect future scenarios.
Catan
Catan is the classic strategy game that introduced modern board gaming to the world. Players build settlements, cities, and roads on the island of Catan by collecting and trading resources. The modular board creates a different island each game. Trade and negotiation are key as players work to become the dominant settlement on Catan.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Gloomhaven | Catan |
|---|---|---|
| BGG Rank | 1 ✓ | 583 |
| Rating | 8.8 ✓ | 7.1 |
| Year Published | 2017 | 1995 ✓ |
| Price | 140 | 35 ✓ |
| Min Players | 1 ✓ | 3 |
| Max Players | 4 | 4 |
| Play Time (min) | 60 | 60 |
| Min Age | 12 | 10 ✓ |
| Complexity (1-5) | 3.84 ✓ | 2.33 |
Gloomhaven wins in 4 categories, Catan wins in 3 categories.