Quilts and Cats of Calico
- March 5, 2024
- Monster Couch
Get on Steam"Quilts and Cats of Calico" is a cozy board game inspired by the physical board game Calico. Players create quilts by strategically placing patterned fabric scraps, earning points for color and pattern combinations while attracting adorable cats with their own bedding preferences. The game offers solo play, as well as competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes for up to four players. Additional campaign play includes variations on rules and mechanics for Calico fans.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game is a charming and cozy adaptation of the board game Calico, featuring cute cats and engaging puzzles.
- Players can create and customize their own cats, adding a personal touch to the gameplay experience.
- The game offers a relaxing atmosphere with pleasant music and visuals, making it a great way to unwind.
- The story mode is criticized for being poorly written and not aligning well with the game's cozy theme.
- Some players find the gameplay mechanics overly simplistic and lacking depth compared to other similar games.
- There are reports of technical issues, including crashes and bugs during online play, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story189 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story mode has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lackluster and poorly executed, often describing it as a series of disjointed tasks involving random NPCs and a bizarre plot centered around cats. While some appreciate the cute art and the way the story introduces game mechanics, others criticize its weak narrative and tonal inconsistencies, suggesting it feels tacked on rather than integral to the gameplay. Overall, the story mode serves as a basic introduction to the game but may not appeal to those seeking a deeper or more engaging narrative experience.
“I don't normally gravitate towards puzzle games, but this game is so relaxing. The story (if you choose to play it) is lovely, the soundtrack is wonderful, and the graphics are charming.”
“A really lovely game! I am glad I can now also play it online, and the story was quite fun to play through, especially how it made use of the mechanics in new ways!”
“The story mode is a fantastic introduction to the game and its mechanics, which, while straightforward, do require some adjustment.”
“The story mode is by far the biggest issue.”
“It's just a sequence of random NPCs you don't care about asking you to stitch equally random fabric items in order to 'attract the cats' and a bizarre plot about trying to outdo a mechanical quilting loom.”
“However, I was extremely disappointed with the story gameplay as the whole premise is a town which worships magical cats.”
- music56 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it relaxing and well-suited to the cozy aesthetic, while others describe it as underwhelming and not as impactful as soundtracks from similar games. Many appreciate the pleasant and non-overpowering nature of the music, which complements the gameplay, though a few users opted to mute it in favor of their own selections. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's charming atmosphere, despite some criticisms.
“I don't normally gravitate towards puzzle games but this game is so relaxing, the story (if you choose to play it) is lovely, the soundtrack is wonderful and the graphics are charming.”
“The music sets the tone quite right, is present but not overpowering; the sound effects are distinct and let you know what's happening in your quilt even if you're focusing on another part of the screen.”
“The puzzles are challenging in a positive way and the soundtrack is so cozy!”
“Even the music is rather underwhelming.”
“The music isn't great.”
“I'll probably start muting and playing my own music.”
- gameplay54 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of straightforward mechanics and engaging puzzle elements, drawing from the award-winning board game "Calico." Players enjoy a mix of single-player pattern puzzles and multiplayer experiences, though some find the random tile draws can lead to trial-and-error frustration. While the tutorial could be improved, the story mode serves as an effective introduction to the game's mechanics, making it a fun and satisfying experience overall, despite occasional technical issues.
“The gameplay is really fun and satisfying, the art is cozy and colorful, and there are tons of cats.”
“Calico is one of my absolute favorite board games, bridging together a killer theme (cute kitties napping on quilts) and brain-burning gameplay.”
“The story mode is a fantastic introduction to the game and its mechanics, which while straightforward do require some adjustment.”
“It's just a sequence of random NPCs you don't care about asking you to stitch equally random fabric items in order to 'attract the cats' and a bizarre plot about trying to outdo a mechanical quilting loom.”
“It frequently freezes during gameplay and won't allow you back into the game to continue your game, and you lose not only the game but 'karma' points.”
“Note that I did not say 'easy' -- the random draws mean you're not always going to get the tiles you want for any given strategy you concoct -- but the simplistic gameplay loop is just lacking in oomph.”
- graphics34 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their charm and cuteness, contributing to a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. While some users noted occasional wonkiness in the cat editor and a lack of natural aesthetics in character customization, the overall art style, animations, and quilting visuals received positive feedback for enhancing the gameplay experience. The combination of graphics and sound design effectively complements the game's themes and mechanics, creating an inviting and enjoyable environment.
“The graphics and sound design add to the relaxing gameplay.”
“From the visuals, through animations, to the music - it's a really comfy, cozy experience that brings new excitement with every new quilt.”
“The adaptation has gorgeous visuals and a super cozy vibe.”
“The graphics are a bit wonky sometimes on the cats, mostly seen within the cat editor, but it was good enough to create quite a solid version of my two boys I have at home.”
“I end up using mostly the same body features on every cat because the extreme designs of the slider mechanic and the way that the 3D model is distorted does not look natural or aesthetically pleasing to the eye.”
“The user interface, graphics, and sound design are a service to the gameplay and vibes.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as cozy and relaxing, providing a contrast to the tension experienced during gameplay. However, it falls short of creating the same level of tranquility as the music in Wingspan. Overall, while the atmosphere is pleasant, it lacks a deeper sense of relaxation.
“It's not bad, but neither does it really create the relaxing atmosphere that Wingspan's music does.”
“The atmosphere of the game is cozy and relaxing, which is a sharp contrast with the tension you feel as the quilt gets made and your strategy resolving the puzzle is put to the test.”
- humor4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The humor in the game elicits mixed reactions; while some players find joy in its absurdity and the unexpected reactions it provokes (like scaring pets), others criticize it for being overly inane and tiresome. Overall, the comedic elements may appeal to those who enjoy silly antics, but can quickly wear thin for others.
“Moved the mouse a bit fast across the screen, scared the crap out of my cats and made me laugh my butt off.”
“Not funny-silly, which would be somewhat okay, just inane-silly and nonsensical-silly, which becomes quite tiresome in a hurry.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is characterized as a relaxing and colorful experience that evokes heartwarming emotions, making it an enjoyable and soothing turn-based optimization game.
“A relaxing, colorful, and heartwarming turn-based optimization game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its optimization, providing a relaxing and colorful experience that enhances the overall gameplay. Players appreciate the heartwarming elements that complement the turn-based mechanics, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
“A relaxing, colorful, and heartwarming turn-based optimization game.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, frequently freezing during gameplay and preventing players from resuming their sessions, resulting in the loss of progress and "karma" points.
“It frequently freezes during gameplay and won't allow you back into the game to continue, resulting in the loss of both progress and 'karma' points.”
“The game often crashes, making it impossible to resume play and causing players to lose their hard-earned progress.”
“Stability issues plague the game, leading to frequent freezes that disrupt the experience and result in lost game time.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highlighted by a robust character designer that allows players to create and customize their own cats, enhancing personal investment and engagement with the game.
