I know it’s really different by my wife picked up the USA trails to rails spin-off. We havent played it but if it’s as good as it looks well probably pick up the merchant’s of Europe game too. There is anothoer game in the series but I think it’s OOP that is based on Germany.
My first experience playing Catan and it’s expansions was not a good one as I really dislike the people I played it with some initial and it was a bit of a rollover so it left a bad taste in my mouth.
That said I saw an expansion that made me want to give it another go that involves sea exploration and combat.