GameGrab

First Solo playthrough of Three Sister

Final score: 72

🫘🌽🎃 Review 🎃🌽🫘

Initial impression: It was more involved than I anticipated, but I recognize that is its appeal. It's a challenging and well-designed roll and write game, but maybe not the best fit for people who rarely play mid-weight games. I'll definitely play it again, but plan on a potentially much longer game with new players.

Ease of Learning:
This is not a game that you can learn with a quick overview. I had to refer to the rules repeatedly throughout my first game, and I still messed up a few important things and had to start over twice. However, the basic gameplay is such that, if you're willing to go slowly, you are more than able to learn as you play. I could see it taking people like me at least 3 games to really solidify the specifics of the different gardening areas.

*I realized just now I messed up another rule, so I likely should have scored lower. There are so many details!*

Gameplay:
Once you have the rules down, this game is very straightforward and fun. You set up each round by rolling the dice and placing them in ascending order on the rodel. You'll then alternate with the automated Farmer Edith in picking dice, you to determine the gardening area that you'll plant/water each round plus and the rondel action to take, she to block your options. The round finishes with an event that benefits you. This repeats for 8 rounds, then you sum your total points earned.

Like other games that don't have much player interaction, it works well as a solo game.

Aesthetic: The artwork is spot on for the theme. Clean, attractive, organized, green... you know, everything I aspire to be. The colors are vibrant but not overwhelming and the overhead view is neat and satisfying to look at.

The solo side of the rondel board is initially a bit much. It's feels cluttered to me, but at the same time, once you understand the symbols, it is a helpful reference guide. I do wonder if there was a better way to display it all, though.

Final thoughts:
Try it! See if it's your cup of tea.

First solo playthrough of Calico

Yes, that's my carpet. Sometimes I'm more comfortable sitting on the floor, hunched over the game like a swamp witch and her cauldron. Whatever works, right?

Solo playthroughs are super helpful for me. I struggle with social anxiety and perfectionism, which means, when playing games, each turn I'm fighting the urge to spend an hour figuring out the absolute best possible move while simultaneously feeling super stupid and self conscious that I'm taking so long. These feelings are magnified when I'm playing a new game.
Solo playthroughs help relieve a lot of that stress. I can learn rules and strategies slowly, and absolutely no one cares how long I take on a turn. It also helps me know if I like or dislike a game based on the game itself rather than by how much I won or lost. Thank you to and for including solo play in Calico.

🐈 Calico Review 🐈‍⬛
Initial feeling:
In short, I liked it! It's easy to play, quick to get started, but not instantly mastered. There's a fun amount of chance while still allowing players to strategize and it's adaptable to a group's desired level of intensity. I consider it a nice laid-back weekend-type game.

Gameplay:
Calico is a puzzly sort of game. You place tiles to form different color and/or pattern groups in order to place buttons or cats and to complete challenges. Tiles are then redrawn from a center pool, and (for solo play) the tile furthest from the draw pile bag is discarded. The 2 tiles are replaced, and play continues.

Once your board is filled, points are calculated according to the number of buttons/cats placed and challenges completed.

It's a pretty relaxed gameplay that can still be challenging for veteran gamers. I'm excited to play with more people.

Visual:
It's cute, guys. Very cozy and happy. The cats look so soft and snuggly, the quilt tiles are brightly colored and beautifully patterned and the buttons look like something I would have desperately wanted to collect in elementary school. It radiates the feeling of cuddling up in a big quilt and spending a winter day relaxing at home near your favorite feline. Thematically, it's a definite win.