Catan is a modern classic. It was released in 1995 and introduced a whole generation of players into tabletop gaming. That alone makes Catan worthy of being a recommended game from Game Schooler. Even if it falls out of favor with hardcore gamers, it's still an amazing game. Behind its lineage and accolades, you'll find a game brimming with risk management and probability. Players must carefully manage resources, think strategically, and capitalize on opportunities as they build roads, settlements, and cities. On top of that, Catan offers players a chance to negotiate and trade with their opponents and flex their persuasion skills. Even though the game can run a bit long, the gratifying gameplay is worth it every time.