Calico Board Game - Playthrough & Review

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This is "Calico," a board game designed by Kevin Russ and published by AEG and Flatout Games. This video includes a rules overview.
JUMP:
0:59 - Rules Overview
07:42 - Playthrough
41:19 - Review
BGG Listing: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2...
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[@BeforeYouPlay]

What are some of your favorite tile laying games?

[@JEV03]

I grew up with Carcassonne and it was the only game my wife and I played for years (along with Gin Rummy). I'd say nowadays I prefer Takenoko as a friendly tile laying game. I like how irrigation and how bamboo grows on adjacent plots adds a slight bit of strategy for placement on top of just getting patterns, while the game is overall not very tense. It's a great game for relaxing with my wife.

[@enosfruit]

Great video as usual! we've been enjoying Circle The Wagons a lot lately.

[@blackboardgaming5348]

We love Quadropolis and Takenoko.

[@jacobmartin9679]

This is probably my new favourite, but this style is great for playing with kids. Some of our favourites: - Patchwork - Sprawlopolis - Indian Summer - Azul -Lanterns

[@stevegeorge7773]

Carcassone I’ve had for over 15 years, the same big box and still really enjoyed pulling it out. Feast For Odin is an amazing tile puzzle game. With the expansion it’s even better.

[@jamesmorgan1967]

I stopped the video at 20 minutes in and went to my local shop to buy the game!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha, have you played it yet?

[@jamesmorgan1967]

@@BeforeYouPlay Played the solo version, which was fun. Hope to grab a friend you play with soon. Enjoyable game.

[@jamesmorgan1967]

@@BeforeYouPlay *to play with

[@flatoutgames2689]

Excellent teach, playthrough, and review! Thanks so much for the kind words about the game! We are thrilled that you two are having fun with it! ...maybe we can make a dog game sometime soon. ;) Excellent quality video and insightful thoughts! You two are two of the best and it's so cool to have you take a look at Calico! Thanks!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

We had a great time with this one!! Simple design but still felt very fresh. If you make a doggie game, we will "dog pile" on it! ;)

[@Iamwrongbut]

Can we ask why there is not a calico cat on the cover? That’s always confused me haha Great game!

[@flatoutgames2689]

@@Iamwrongbut ha! Sure. Beth thought a calico cat on a patchwork quilt would be too busy, so we used a tabby on the front. Calico is a type of fabric as well, so we thought it was ok to only show the calico fabric. :) Thanks for the kind words!

[@Iamwrongbut]

@@flatoutgames2689 Ah, I did not realize calico was a fabric as well - nice play on words! Ironically, I have both a calico and a tabby, so this game fits perfectly in my home haha

[@wiscowilz]

You guys are one of my go-to channels for playthroughs. I think a big reason is that it's just my wife and I who play games together so it's nice to see two people play games. Plus your descriptions and explanations are very easy to follow.

[@joelbehne706]

I'm so glad I found you guys and your channel. Oh, how I wish I could play games with you! Such clear descriptions, quick moves, fun banter, and honest opinions.

[@MyKirries]

I really enjoy this game too. Big catlover, so big bonus. Also as an artist I love the artwork done for this. As a Dutch girl I do wonder though if the name of the game and the choice of quilting was done delibrately by someone of Dutch (or Belgian/South African) decend or understanding of the Dutch language LOL See, the Dutch word for Calico is "Lapjes Kat" and for quilt it is "Lapjes Deken" (lapjes being small pieces of fabric/or in a cat patches of fur colour).

[@benthompson754]

My girlfriend and I have begun the slow decent into “heavy” board games, and this looks like a wonderful game to help bridge that gap into more complicated games. You both did a wonderful job of showing off this game and describing it. So glad I found your channel!

[@TheNerdShelves]

We just love Calico. And you are absolutely correct, it is much more difficult than it seems at first. Such a great game, and another great video. Thank you two, as always ❤️

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It really was so deceptive!

[@paul-beinetti]

Such a brain burner. So many moments of staring at my quilt saying ohhh noooo. Love it

[@phil-phildc483]

You guys are my go-to source for ALL my board game information. I LOVE your format of teaching a game first, then playing through it.... HUGE fan of yours ;)

[@repeataftermeme75]

A game where dreams go to die lol. Love the chaos in this game. Probably will pick this one up.

[@jonto78]

Great playthrough. I do look forward to play the copy I have allready aquired. Thank you for rule explaining, and good chemistry.

[@thinusconradie4297]

Calico is fantastic. I love it. This video convinced me to buy it and I am not disappointed.

[@TiagoRamosVideos]

This game looks amazing!

[@JeffKoper]

I wish my wife and I had another couple to game with that has a similar style to you guys. I love the fun playful banter where you are kind but competitive and only hate draft when you know it would really be a big gain for the other person. If you guys move to Cleveland, look us up :) Thanks for the reviews and play throughs!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hey Jeff! Maybe someday we can meet at a con! Thanks for supporting the channel! 😃

[@JeffKoper]

Sounds fun. GenCon 2021?😀

[@ashleyflunker4389]

Thank you for a great review and play through 💜

[@Tr1n1tyNZ]

Awesome guys! Like you, I’m into heavy games (love Lacerda) so thought this game would be too light for me. Having watched your play through I’m now considering getting this, and I enjoy tile laying games. Plus, I’m a cat lover. 😻

[@sergiojuan217]

I am just loving your videos! Personal favorite is isle of cats

[@blackboardgaming5348]

Already plan on picking this one up. I also get the privilege of watching you guys do this playthrough😁

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Let us know what you think about it!

[@GForceFitness1]

This was very helpful watching the playthrough. Looks like a fun game. This one is definitely going on my list. Thanks!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for checking out our videos! :)

[@johngoodwin9606]

Thanks for another fun to watch play-through. I bought this game already as a gift for someone. Based on your feedback, I expect it will be a hit and I'm super interested to play it.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks for checking out the video! Hopefully you can get to play your gifted copy haha

[@baaschmitz]

Great video, thank you guys! :)

[@wiscowilz]

SO the AA-BB-CC doesn't really mean you have to have AA-BB-CC, because the way my logical mind reads that would be you have to have the same colors next two each other and not just randomly have two of the same color around the tile. When the yellow stripe tile was placed in the top middle I figured Monique was giving up that bonus tile since the yellows weren't next to each other. It seems to make it much easier if you can just simply have them around the bonus tile and not in the exact order it shows.

[@shawnmincer8231]

Great video, this is the first play through i have watched for it. This game is now on my list. I also KS'ed the new tile laying game from Flatout titled Cascadia

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hope you enjoy it too! Haven't heard of that other title, will have to check it out.

[@shawnmincer8231]

@@BeforeYouPlay It is currently on KS and has 4 days left. It is another puzzly tile-layer with art by Beth Sobel. I live in Seattle and part of the Flatout team are local. Rahdo and others have taken a look at it and said some great things about it.

[@jacobmartin9679]

The family mode is absolutely perfect for after a long workday or playing with my 7yo.

[@OreosAreSoGood]

What is family mode like?

[@TabletopRose]

Calico is my new favorite! Also a big fan of Old West Empresario, Remember Our Trip and Galaxy Trucker!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Same for us! We totally missed the boat on "Remember Our Trip" it was one of those games that intrigued us but never got to try it. It's back on our radar now :)

[@popgas3821]

30:16 ♥️♥️♥️ this dynamic is just pure lovely.

[@LeRichardGames]

Ordered this a few days ago! Loved watching this video. You two seemed to be having a lot of fun with it. Can't wait to get it on the table. Congrats on the win, Monique! Favorite tile laying game at the moment? Would say Suburbia and My City. I've only played Isle of Cats once and really enjoyed that one as well.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah we've played it several times and each time our scores decrease!! lol

[@LeRichardGames]

@@BeforeYouPlay that’s me with My City! Lol!

[@billturner]

This is a super fun game, and we've played it maybe three times since getting it last Friday. It is deceptively complex, with the multiple pathways to points. Definitely a brain-burner (which I really wasn't expecting)!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah when we started to learn the rules we had a "Ohhhh, man this is going to get tough" moment.

[@majbritpedersen6533]

I need this game! Great playtrough😁

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@aramavedissian6992]

Thanks for the excelent videos!! Greetings from Brazil!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you!

[@jacobmartin9679]

We’ve been playing the heck out of this since we got the KS. My son loves the rainbow colours, and it’s my wife’s favourite game. Absolutely an SdJ contender.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hey Jacob! It's definitely our most played title over the past couple weeks as well! So glad you are playing games with the family, it really warms our heart hearing about families that play together.

[@aba824]

Omg, my first reaction on that game when I saw KS was the same as Naveen's :D I'm also a dog person but still the game is awsome to play and I also really like a solo mode :) and the scenarios are nice, especially when you don't want to think of what cat to choose for next game :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haven't checked out the solo mode, but we always appreciate it when games come with official solo rules.

[@h3nnap]

Quilts are *sewn* not *knitted*

[@BeforeYouPlay]

lol

[@Financiallyfreeauthor]

I was scrolling to see if anyone would say this. When your hobbies are both board gaming and fiber arts…lol

[@Gamesandstuffstudio]

Great playthrough. We can't wait to play this game on our channel. Look forward to collaborating with you one day.

[@thesolitairegambit2556]

Thank you so much for this gameplay! I just played it and i enjoyed it so much. I know this game is a year old but i guess for the Design goal tiles, you either to the color or the pattern but not both???😵‍💫

[@pintarfacil8064]

Great video. Thanks 🤗

[@BeforeYouPlay]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Shoitaan]

Backed this on KS. Become a new family favourite and the only game we can play with my 5yo!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It was a pleasant surprise for us!

[@22GoldLion]

Just bought this game a few days ago, because I love cats 🐈(haven't tried it yet but I expect It will be fun). I really love Papillon 🦋 far as tile laying games go 😁

[@helened.5720]

Naveen and Monique's bottom left corner challenge tiles are different. Monique has AAAA-BB and Naveen AAA-BBB! This vid convinced me to purchase the game for my family, thanks!

[@UnfilteredGamer]

Very cool, as always!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Not as cool as you!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

... but close ;)

[@sourdoughmaine2109]

I’m deciding between NY Zoo, Calico, and Tiny Towns 😅 just got Isle of Cats so I’m into the tile games ❤ Ty for the honest reviews and showing us how to play

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnrochester1419]

Do the patterns have to be the exact configuration as the display patterns the cats are looking for? So, if the stripes are going up and down then do the stipes have to go up and down on the player board?

[@h3w45]

thanks for this tutorial

[@BeforeYouPlay]

You’re welcome! 😚

[@anneperez7731]

Naveen: We need a GREEN or a PINSTRIPE *TILE PULED A ROYAL BLUE PATTERN* Naveen: NEITHER! 🤣🤣🤣

[@JEV03]

This looks like a lot of fun but I think my AP would be so very bad on this game. I think I'd be frustrating to play with on this game, lol. I'm not a cat person but the theme of this game is adorable! Maybe they can do a puppy expansion where teething pups tear out your patches and free up a space... for dog people!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

There's definitely AP in this game, truly the nature of the game. Also you can't predict the future tiles so it places you in a tough spot at times. That's a funny expansion idea!

[@Frostation]

It's a fun game, but the downtime can be long in a 4 player game. Some players can AP when it is their turn. I sort the cat tokens by their point value, and have them all available if a cat with that value is in play, regardless on weather or not its the same cat.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

There's certainly going to be more time with 4 players. That's a great idea separating by value!!

[@thomasteraoka6311]

Naveeeeen 😍😍😍

[@Tinil0]

It gives instructions for who goes first so you don't have to rock-paper-scissors! Whoever pet a cat most recently is the one who goes first, just FYI

[@Plaksa2004]

why don`t you place the black-white tiles that way, there are places under each cat for them)

[@marknadeski7485]

Great video, guys. Game looks fun but.... cats 🙀

[@BeforeYouPlay]

LOL you made us truly lol with that comment. Thanks, Mark!

[@orlaklassen6355]

It didn't matter in the end because Monique won. But, did she miss one colour button of light green (across) ? Can you get more than one button of the same colour???

[@tomasxfranco]

Nadeen is playing the long game. When it matters he's gonna flip it and not play scissors.

[@morecoffee998]

they need to make a puppy version of this

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha we'll be 1st in line!

[@raymyers700]

This made me remember a question I wanted to ask: have you guys placed Tigris & Euphrates? We need a BYP Knizia rundown! (Unless you don't really care for his games :) )

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hi! Yes, T&E is excellent. Probably one of our favorite Knizia games of all time. I feel like it needs at least 3 to shine though, but we'll see if we can make it happen =)

[@raymyers700]

@@BeforeYouPlay agreed! I'll consider this your declaration of a blood oath to me :D

[@nakazanie6997]

One does not knit quilts.

[@FestaNoYoutubiu]

Never played this game, but the very restrictive ending seems to take away some of the strategy of the game. The last tile placements will be very exposed to luck of the draw and hate drafting.

[@Kr1stmas]

This makes cascadia look like a baby game

[@How2shine]

Sewing, not knitting.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

LOL

[@richk6181]

Reading ya'lls replies to the youtube bots is half the fun of new videos now.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

The bots must know! We will prevail!!

[@christopherwenzel]

Why are you guys so cute. I can’t take it