Calico DLC: Neat Things (Review)
While I was late to the Calico fanclub, even in 2024 it quickly became one of my favourite playthroughs of the year. With all the stresses of life, what’s better than disappearing into a fantastical world of pastels, exploration, and the joy of baking (with magic!)?
Calico starts off like many cozy games – your character has just moved to a brand-new town, ready to meet new people and start a new life. You won’t get bored in your new home any time soon either – your new responsibility is reviving your aunt’s café with not just tasty treats, but loving animal companions as well. You’ll have the opportunity to build the café of your dreams, exploring different recipes, decorating to your heart’s content, and filling the space not only with cats and dogs, but even rarer creatures like crows and red pandas.
Of course, you’re also in a great position to help your new neighbors, and the townsfolk have lots of problems that need addressing as you explore the town and its surrounding areas. Rabbits need wrangling, construction cats are blocking the pathways, and there’s even a giant cat to contend with.
Your mileage will vary based on how much you explore, how many recipes you try to master, and if you take your time, but my original playthrough took about 5 hours and I felt a little sad to reach the end of it – like saying goodbye to a friend.
However, after a long wait, Peachy Keen Games and Whitethorn Games are back with Neat Things, a DLC that can either enhance a new player’s first experience, or give players a reason to come back to this soft little world.
Neat Things brings a few new additions, including a new area to explore, new quests, and a few boxes full of keepsakes that you’ll be able to earn by engaging with the world of Calico, and exploring new corners.
Each of the 3 boxes has a handful of items to scavenger hunt, along with a clue on how to obtain them. Each item also lets you know what it requires – some might need a specific area unlocked before you can search for them. Out of all the DLC additions, the scavenger hunt is the highlight – it encourages players to really explore the world, looking for any quirks along the way. Finding them might include hopping a trail of magical bubbles, guiding rubber ducks, or trying to duck into buildings in Cutie City. This brought a lot more life to Calico and made it fun to explore all the little corners.
If you’re a player who already enjoyed Calico and wants more, Neat Things is a great add-on to bring back some of the magic of that first exploration. If you’re a new player who’s just picked up the game, you can grab it now or after you’re finished – the DLC can be played along with your initial playthrough.
While I do have to admit sometimes Calico can be a bit buggy and clunky, (like my dog clipping through the wall all throughout baking, falling through stairs, or the one time I got stuck with a floating cat and had to reset), it’s never been enough to detract from the charm of the game. Calico is a magical adventure, and one that doesn’t punish you for taking your time, exploring the world, and trying new things. Neat Things is a great add-on that enhances the world, and is worth picking up.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Note: While Calico is currently available on several platforms, Neat Things is currently only available on Steam and Switch for $4.99, and will require the base game to play.