Calico

Flatout Games, Alderac Entertainment Group, Arclight Games · Board game · 2020
1–4 · best 2 Solo 30–45 min Weight 2.2/5
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 29.98
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Calico is a delightful tile-placement game perfect for those who enjoy a cozy, strategic puzzle with an adorable cat theme. It's a charming experience that balances simple turns with deep tactical decisions.

Highlights
  • Engaging tile-placement puzzle
  • Charming cat and quilting theme
  • Simple rules, strategic depth
  • High replayability with unique patterns
Keep in mind
  • Can feel a bit solitary
  • Luck of the draw can impact strategy
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
Get ready for a cute and challenging adventure in Calico, a board game that blends the art of quilting with a passion for cats! Here, the mission is to create the coziest and most aesthetically pleasing quilt, using patches of different colors and patterns. But it's not just about beauty; you also need to attract the cuddliest cats to curl up on your masterpiece. Each player has a unique quilt pattern to follow, which adds a strategic layer to tile placement. On each turn, gameplay is super simple: you choose a fabric patch from your hand, sew it onto your quilt, and then draw a new patch from a group of three available. Sounds easy, right? But the magic happens when you manage to form color groups: bingo! You can sew a button onto your quilt, which is worth points at the end. And if you're a master at creating pattern combinations that cats love, they'll come running to your quilt, guaranteeing more points and extra charm to your creation. At the end of the game, your final score is a sum of all the buttons you've sewn, the cats you've attracted, and how well you managed to complete your unique quilt pattern. It's a visually charming puzzle that will test your planning skills and creativity, all while in the company of adorable kittens. Perfect for those looking for a relaxing yet strategic challenge!
Expansions
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Calico English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC
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Game details

Families

Animals: Cats Components: Buttons Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Apple App Store Digital Implementations: Steam Digital Implementations: Tabletopia
Publisher Flatout Games, Alderac Entertainment Group, Arclight Games, CrowD Games, Gémklub, Grok Games
Designer Kevin Russ
Artist Beth Sobel
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does Calico support?
Calico can be played by 1 to 4 players, which makes it a great option for both solo sessions and small groups of friends or family.
What is the average playtime for a game of Calico?
A game of Calico usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes. It's an ideal time for a quick session, but with plenty of strategic depth.
What is the complexity level of Calico?
With a BGG weight of 2.1981/5, Calico is considered a light-medium complexity game. The rules are easy to learn, but mastery requires planning and anticipation.
What are the main components of the game?
You'll find colorful and patterned quilt tiles, individual quilt boards, button tokens, cat tokens, and objective cards. Everything is super well-produced and thematic!
Who is Calico best suited for?
Calico is perfect for puzzle game lovers, cat enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a strategic yet relaxing game. It's excellent for families and those who enjoy a good abstract challenge with a charming theme.
Does Calico have expansions or additional game modes?
The base game already offers plenty of replayability with different quilt patterns and objectives. There are some smaller expansion modules that add more variety, but the main game is already quite complete!