Catan – New Energies gives the world-famous Catan a new challenge. Instead of just building roads and settlements, it puts players in a situation where they must decide whether to rely on fossil fuels for quick advantages or invest in renewable/cleaner energy sources, which take longer but would pay off in the long run.
You still have the familiar trading and building mechanics of classic Catan, but now with an added emphasis on sustainability. Players are encouraged to think about the long-term effects of their choices and how they impact the whole table.
That said, some players felt that the energy and pollution aspects are not fully integrated into the game’s core mechanics and could be improved. More consequences for pollution or better rewards for using renewable energy could make it even better.