11th Nov2025

‘Knitting Circle’ Board Game Review

by Matthew Smail

Knitting Circle is a cosy, accessible evolution of Calico’s spatial puzzling – retaining the satisfying tile-laying core while softening the difficulty curve and introducing charming new mechanics like yarn drafting, garment knitting, and button collection. There’s also a slight edge to Knitting Circle that gives it another dimension – thanks to the cutthroat way in […]

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13th Jun2022

‘Abstract Academy’ Board Game Review

by Matthew Smail

Abstract Academy is a small (or very small really) box experience which caters for two or four players, but is best played as a two-person, head-to-head duel. The players each fill the role of students at the titular academy, which specialises in helping its pupils reach their artistic potential using minimalist colours and abstract shapes […]

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18th Mar2021

‘Calico’ Board Game Review

by Matthew Smail

Cats seem to be making quite an impression in the board gaming world lately. The Isle of Cats is one example that I spent a lot of time with last year, and Twitter seems awash with cats in box lids and cats making cameo appearances in games with themes of all kinds. Calico is a […]

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