Quilts and Cats of Calico

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 302 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Quilts and Cats of Calico Game Cover
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"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
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 302 reviews
story30 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful design and charming animations, especially with the cats, creating a cozy atmosphere.
  • It's an easy-to-learn yet challenging puzzle game that offers depth and strategic gameplay, making it enjoyable for both casual and serious gamers.
  • The inclusion of a cat customization feature adds a fun and personal touch, allowing players to create their own unique cats.
  • Some players experience visual discomfort due to the pulsing tiles, which can lead to migraines and make the game unplayable for them.
  • The AI opponents can be too easy to beat, leading to a lack of challenge in single-player mode.
  • The story mode has been criticized for being tedious and not engaging enough, with some players finding it unnecessary compared to the core gameplay.
  • story145 mentions

    The story mode of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it charming and whimsical, centered around the theme of quilts attracting cats, while others criticize it for being tedious and lacking depth. Many appreciate the puzzles and challenges that help players learn the game mechanics, but some feel the narrative is weak or tonally inconsistent with the game's aesthetic. Overall, while the story mode serves as a useful introduction to gameplay, its appeal varies significantly among players.

    • “It has a story mode that walks you through a series of puzzles and challenges with just a bit of a whimsical story about how quilts attract cats if they are good enough and that cats on quilts means good luck.”
    • “The story mode is a fantastic introduction to the game and its mechanics, which while straightforward do require some adjustment.”
    • “The story mode is enjoyable.”
    • “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.”
    • “Story mode has a weak plot that tonally just doesn't jive - I wish it was just a puzzle mode.”
  • music40 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing and cozy qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. Many players find it soothing and well-suited to the game's aesthetic, although some feel it can be underwhelming or not as memorable compared to other titles. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's charm, making it a delightful backdrop for gameplay.

    • “The music is absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “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.”
    • “A fun, relaxing puzzle game with, like Wingspan, some of the most relaxing and cozy music I've ever heard.”
    • “Even the music is rather underwhelming.”
    • “It's not bad, but neither does it really create the relaxing atmosphere that Wingspan's music does.”
    • “Calico's music just isn't as good, for me.”
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as enjoyable and engaging, with a mix of straightforward mechanics and strategic depth that can be challenging to master. The story mode serves as a helpful introduction to the game, allowing players to learn the mechanics in a relaxed environment. While some players noted minor issues and a lack of polish, the overall experience is characterized by its cozy atmosphere, clever puzzles, and replayability, making it a fun choice for both solo and multiplayer sessions.

    • “The gameplay is really fun and satisfying, the art is cozy and colorful, and there are tons of cats.”
    • “The story mode is a fantastic introduction to the game and its mechanics, which while straightforward do require some adjustment.”
    • “All in all, the actual gameplay is fun and challenging.”
    • “But how a game as technically and mechanically simple as this still can have issues is beyond me.”
    • “The gameplay is inexplicably determined not to be calico.”
    • “It frequently freezes during gameplay and won't allow you back into the game to continue, causing you to lose not only the game but also 'karma' points.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the charming and cozy art style, which complements the gameplay and enhances the overall experience. While some found certain elements, like the cat artwork and 3D models, to be less appealing or occasionally wonky, the majority appreciated the vibrant visuals and relaxing atmosphere they create. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, contributing positively to the game's aesthetic and enjoyment.

    • “The cloth textiles, background graphics, etc. look nice and welcoming.”
    • “I was immediately drawn to the art style.”
    • “From the visuals, through animations, to the music - it's a really comfy, cozy experience that brings new excitement with every new quilt.”
    • “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 do not look natural or aesthetically pleasing to the eye.”
    • “A war story is just really tonally weird compared to the aesthetic of rainbow quilts and kitties... it would've made more sense to just have a lowkey friendly plot around quilting in a small town or something.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy and relaxing vibe, effectively capturing the essence of the original board game. While some players feel it lacks the soothing quality of the music found in similar titles, the overall ambiance is considered a strong point, contributing to an engaging and enjoyable experience.

    • “I absolutely adore this game's atmosphere and play style.”
    • “Cozy game, love the music and the vibe, overall atmosphere 10/10!”
    • “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.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates a solid level of stability with minimal bugs or glitches, providing an aesthetically pleasing experience. However, some users report frequent freezing during gameplay, which can result in lost progress and "karma" points, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “It frequently freezes during gameplay and won't allow you back into the game to continue, causing you to lose not only your progress but also 'karma' points.”
    • “The game crashes unexpectedly, making it frustrating to play and ruining the overall experience.”
    • “There are constant stability issues that disrupt the flow of the game, leading to a lot of unnecessary interruptions.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game is characterized as a relaxing and heartwarming experience, featuring colorful visuals and a wholesome atmosphere that evokes positive emotions. Players find it to be a delightful and charming turn-based optimization game that promotes a sense of joy and comfort.

    • “A relaxing, colorful, and heartwarming turn-based optimization game.”
    • “Cute, wholesome fun!”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly and enhances the portable gaming experience. Players appreciate its relaxing and colorful design, making it an enjoyable turn-based optimization game.

    • “A relaxing, colorful, and heartwarming turn-based optimization game.”
    • “I've played it almost exclusively on Steam Deck, as the portability makes it a breeze and it's very well optimized.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game elicits mixed reactions; while some players find it genuinely amusing, particularly in unexpected moments, others criticize it for being overly inane and tiresome. Overall, the comedic elements can provoke laughter but may not appeal to everyone due to their nonsensical nature.

    • “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.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly in story mode, where the AI bots are perceived as too easy to defeat, leading to a lack of challenge and engagement. Additionally, the absence of local couch co-op further diminishes the experience.

    • “The AI bots were too easy; I was consistently beating them by 40+ points. The story mode is very tedious, and the art style is not my thing.”
    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore, with little reward for the time invested.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel more like a job than a fun experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the character development aspect for its customization options, particularly the ability to create new cats using a character designer, which enhances personal investment in the game.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to shape their characters' personalities and skills in meaningful ways.”
    • “I love how the game allows for extensive customization, making each character feel unique and personal.”
    • “The progression system is well thought out, providing a satisfying sense of growth and evolution for each character.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolve throughout the game.”
    • “The choices you make don't seem to impact the characters in any significant way.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers surprisingly complex logic within compact gameplay sessions, enhancing its replayability while maintaining an accessible experience that doesn't feel overwhelming.

    • “Surprisingly complex logic with compact gameplay sessions makes it very replayable without being overwhelming.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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