Quilting in the Land of Cats and Happiness with Calico
Cozy up with the cheery theme of crafting a quilt and cuddling up with an assortment of wonderful cats in Calico.
I’m definitely a dog person away from the game table, yet cats seem to be the best thing for board games lately! My copy of Calico arrived the other day, and the excitement was real. The idea of relaxing with some tiles and lovely artwork was everything I needed this week. My only regret was not getting the Calico Critters out just yet! Whoops!
Game Overview
Game Name: Calico
Publication Year: 2020
Designer: Kevin Russ
Artist: Beth Sobel
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Oh, how wonderful! I had a blast punching out these new components. The cardboard was thicker than I expected, but more than that, what colors! Everything looked so cheerful even without the addition of the titular cats. When I say it’s all about making a quilt, that’s it… Except there’s a somewhat deeper strategy than just placing tiles.
First Play
August 20, 2020
Complexity
2
Latest Play
December 9, 2023
Expansions
1
Setup Time
5 Minutes
Lifetime Plays
26
Play Time
15 Minutes
High Score
72
Game Area
18" x 18"
Low Score
37
Meeting Some Cats
Every cat in the game is based on a real cat. The rulebook includes an awesome section in the back with those stories. I felt like I welcomed some of them to my table!
Part of the strategy comes down to the selection of scoring options. There are a handful of cats at each setup level.
These goals involve creating patterns of any color or colors in the designated configuration. For Callie, I had to put together either stripes or dots in a 3-hex figure.
But scoring isn’t as simple as this! There are buttons to sew on, special arrangements, and more cats to attract!
Even More Cats
Hello, Gwen! Like I said, it feels like the trio of scoring cats is just hanging out nearby. Judging your quilting skills. Getting ready to pounce or swipe away… Ha ha!
This scoring goal was much more difficult. The shape didn’t matter, yet I had to get 7 or more tiles in a single pattern lined up. Hence the huge boost in points!
All of the cats and pattern placements can be randomized. Plenty of variety here! Quite fitting with the quilting.
I was enamored with the presentation in the rulebook. Actually, I delayed playing so I could read it all. Lovely!
The Joy of Playing a Game at the Right Time
Lately, I’ve thought a lot about what truly makes a solo board game right for me. The game itself is a major factor, but it also comes down to me. If I’m in the mood for something lightweight and force myself to learn a complex new game, failure is imminent. Sometimes, outside factors make it hard to concentrate, too. Then, along came this game.
I was worn out and in need of a little cheer when I started to punch the components. That took time, which made me a little sleepy. But the gameplay is light enough that my initial experience didn’t matter too much. I could just enjoy the tile colors and patterns. Something about the buttons reminded me of days gone past, too. Excellent timing!
When I get around to finally posting more about my rating system, one of the major flaws comes down to this nebulous idea. Maybe this rating seems inflated. Maybe not. For me, I take the whole experience into account and know when the right time to play is. Plus… Cuddly cats! This artwork put a smile on my face when I needed it the most. Hurray!
World’s Worst Quilter
The game includes a tile that states “Master Quilter.” I… Didn’t deserve it. At all. Ha ha! My first attempt was much more challenging than I thought it would be.
It took me a little time to acclimate to the different patterns. They’re definitely distinct and very pretty!
There were many different things to keep in mind. I had my main scoring tiles that determined the ideal arrangement of quilt tiles around them.
Then the buttons! And the cats! Callie and Gwen were happy enough to cozy up on a few of my patterned areas.
Surprise Scenarios
As I mentioned, everything about the setup process can be randomized for plenty of variety. But then I flipped through the rulebook… And found this section.
This collection of 10 scenarios includes predetermined setups, specific goals, and victory thresholds. Awesome!
Challenges often bring us together as we play solo. I don’t play that often since my play habits are all over the place, yet I fully endorse all the fun that goes with these events!
I stuck with a random setup just to learn the mechanics. These scenarios are high on my list to try out, though.
Session Overview
Play Number: 1 and 2
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Required Play Space: 14″ x 16″
Setup Time: Almost None
Play Time: 20 Minutes per Play
Outcome: 43 and 62 (1 Win and 1 Loss)
With a static setup, I managed to improve on my score! Almost 20 points higher, and I even managed to grab the wrong cat token. Ha ha! It’s Callie… In disguise? Hey, any cozy cat is welcome to hang out! Including the Calico Critters. I’m sure they’ll be along for more quilting!
%
20 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
8
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
7
Originality
Design & Theme
3
Quality
Components & Rules
9
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
8
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
6
Victory Conditions
Meet the Scenario Requirements
- Overall Goal Progress 100%
Goals and Milestones
Complete scenario 1.
Complete scenario 2.
Complete scenario 3.
Complete scenario 4.
Score at least 40 points.
Score at least 50 points.
Score at least 60 points.
Score at least 70 points.
Continue the Conversation
What do you think of Calico? Have you had a chance to play yet, considering it’s so new? I figured it was going to be a fun experience, yet I absolutely loved the flow of gameplay. The placement of every tile required a good deal of thought! Maybe overall gameplay won’t vary too much, but there are lots and lots of tiles. And even more cats to welcome!
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