Callisto: A Board Game with Strategy As Its Focus
The weather is still a little chilly here in South Dakota, and so we're still inside quite a bit. We got a new game a couple of weeks ago which is helping pass the time until Spring decides to arrive.
Callisto was developed by a German mathematician/game inventor. It's a strategy game with a simple, bold design and a competitive edge.
Callisto can be played with 2,3 or 4 players. The game board is clear with raised dots and
there are inserts depending on the number of players you have. The inserts slip in underneath the game board.
Each player receives 3 pillars, and a variety of shaped tiles.
Game play starts with the players taking turns placing their pillars on the board and then placing their tiles on the board. One can only place a tile if it is directly touching another one of their own pieces, building out from their pillars.
While playing is simple enough in itself, the game does require some thinking and strategy. The first time we played, I wasn't paying close enough attention to what Hubby and Amber were doing and I ended up being "shut out" because I had no where left to put any tiles!
We have enjoyed playing this as a family since it was easy to learn and the game play is pretty quick. We're planning on pulling it out next time we have friends over too.
Callisto is $24.98 and is available at Amazon.com sold by AreYouGame.
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by University Games and received a sample to facilitate my candid review."
AreYouGame, Callisto, Games, Homeschool, Strategy Game, University Games
Reader Comments (8)
I love games. It is a little too old for my kids but it would be fun for a friend game night. Thank you for the review.
denise_22315 at yahoo dot com
With multiple players, you tend to feel the pressure of others interefing with your plans on more than one side at a time. That tension makes for a very good game.
I love strategy games. It helps me keep my mind sharp (well sharper than it would be). Sometimes I get so enthralled in these games that hours can go by and I forget about the world outside.
Callisto is pretty fun I admit but THIS is better....
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090504/news/905041002?Title=Embracing-the-challenge-of-games
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/27/DDHS1AQL6I.DTL&type=printable
The rules should have listed this option for a more advanced way for 2 players to play, alternating 2 sets of colors each just as would be done in Blokus which is a similar game. The strategy would be VERY deep because players would have to be careful not to block one of their own two colors with the other!
Also, I came up with an idea similar to reverse blokus, a variant way to play where you win by getting STUCK with the most pieces. that would be VERY challenging.
Another variant idea I have is based on how Blokus is played with 3 players. If you have 3 players you can still use all four colors by making the fourth color "neutral". Here is how it works:
1. Play on largest board designed for four players since there are four colors
2. The "neutral" color goes LAST in the round and must follow the same movement rules as the regular players.
3. Players take turns playing as neutral, if need be pass an object around each round to help keep track of who is neutral that round. In the first round of game play the player who goes first in the game (player 1) is neutral, in round 2 player 2 is neutral and in round 3 player 3 is neutral, then it goes back to player one etc.
4. At the end of the game neutral's score is NOT tallied it is only used by players in the game to block each other.
Greetings! This is my first time here. Thanks for the great review.