Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan Review with Tom Vasel

[@guillermoz4914]

I've had Marco Polo in my wishlist since I got into this hobby years back but never got the chance to pick it up.. Excited that Tom was excited for this new game and Seal of Excellence! Must buy for sure 😁

[@matthew.strout]

I LOVE the first and I’ll be getting this as well. I’m very glad they decided to make it!

[@graphycus]

I don't know. It definitely feels a very solid game, but it also seems that there is too much going on there. There's stuff everywhere you go, anything you do and the board itself is just feels "too much". I think MP1 is a bit more streamlined, more straightforward as well as the characters of it, but it's also more unforgiving. If you don't plan carefully ahead you'll screw yourself up. MP2 seems a bit more sandboxy and point-salady than MP1. You can't go wrong, because you always have an almost-ideal spot where you can go.

[@esbenarildrasmussen5973]

"I think traveling in Marco Polo 2 is much more interesting". Just the thing I wanted to hear! Sold my copy of the first one cause the traveling so rarely was a liable strategy, at least in the 6 games I played.

[@Nain1982]

You mean it's easier...

[@esbenarildrasmussen5973]

@@Nain1982 easier?

[@Nain1982]

@@esbenarildrasmussen5973 yes, seems more open and way easier to travel. The first one was very challenging and you had to be very precise.

[@chadikewood2342]

I loved how tight the traveling is in Marco polo. after a few plays you should be able to get to 2-3 of your city goals fairly easy. four is a good feeling of accomplishment and can come down to the final round. I have lost to contract only players and I have had victories vs. contract only players. I don't care, I just have fun trying to accomplish my goals. I'm excited to try the new one out. Anyone know when it's supposed to hit the U.S.?

[@nickwatt1450]

The whole time Tom was saying you don't need both, all I could hear was, "Figure out a way to buy this and make room for it to set next to it's predecessor on your shelf."

[@adamp3628]

I own the first, and love it. I'm fine with a new Marco Polo map, so this is a solid addition to my collection.

[@DolGuldur2022]

Hello, I have a question, on a trip with 3 dice, all fives, from Hormuz to Kabul, I arrive at the 3rd city and I find an output bonus tile that allows me to travel one more place and continue to Chengdu. Do I place my trading posts in Pagan Kabul and Chengdu? Or only in Kabul, where do I end my trip and a bonus for using 3 dice, would I have to choose between pagan or chengdul? Is the bonus tile cancelled? I appreciate if you help me, thank you!!

[@Reterte01]

I own Marco Polo and at first, from just the quick look, I thought they just re-designed the art on the box :-) But I was so wrong! My friend picked a copy of MP2 at Essen for me, I've played quite a few games already and I just love it! It's quite similar (iconology is the same, usage of the dice as well...) but there are some really good working new mechanics, especially travelling is sooo much fun! I absolutely recommend this to worker-placement lovers, including the ones who already have and like original MP. I honestly think it's worth the investment.

[@benlauson555]

I love the first one, and love playing with the Marco Polo character haha. I never thought of the travel being very restricting till I read everyone else complain about it.

[@chrismusix5669]

They were going to call it 'Marco Pollo', but they were too chicken.

[@adamgoulding796]

Good effort, sir.

[@Fighterfan69]

Great review and interesting conundrum to own both or not. My wife really likes Marco Polo yet the movement restrictions kind of hamper it for her. This one looks better in part there's more you can do. That said, I have everything for Marco Polo. I don't think I will own this one for quite some time. There are many games on the horizon coming to me from Kickstarters and others that I have either traded or pre-ordered that will keep us busy for quite some time.

[@Syncopator]

I'm kind of in the same boat, got everything but like the jade & movement in MP II. And unfortunately, I suspect the new one will depress the resale market for MP I if I wanted to switch.

[@LookAtTheBacon]

100% agreed.

[@PhilHenDrums]

Very helpful thoughts. We love the first VoMP, but I really was wondering whether having both is worthwhile. Happy to save my money for something different.

[@РоманЦирулев]

I was wondering why you hadn't mentioned it in your pre-Essen podcast among dozens of other anticipated games!

[@Bierzgal]

So we kind of know how well does MP1 fare vs. MP2. But how about MP1+expansion vs. MP2? I'd love to know since I own and really like MP1 but I'm yet to buy the expansion for it. Unless the opinion at the end of the review allready considered MP1 with the Agents of Venice expansion.

[@Fighterfan69]

the expansion gives you more opportunities to get your trading posts out. More options is always a plus and seems like MP2 gives you more from the start it seems.

[@nathanielchambers8974]

The expansion turned MP1 from an okay game into a good game for me. I thought the first one honestly just didn't give you enough to do and you could easily find yourself with crap turns if you made the wrong move. The expansion fixes that. If you didn't have a problem with that before, I don't think it changes a ton. Personally, it sounds like MP2 is the better game to me, if you like a more forgiving game and a game where you move around. If that appeals to you, you know the answer. I will probably pass on this one, even though it is more my kind of game than MP1, because I already own MP1 and don't play it enough (not necessarily it's fault, I own too many games and have too little time)

[@bruchino]

IMO: MP1 is sweaty brain burner (although I played it just a few times), MP2 is much more fun, gives more satisfaction at the end (own it).

[@palacsintaz]

The game goes for 5 rounds, not 6. You are supposed to remove 1 tile from each type during setup.

[@matthiassk]

Wonder what the game time is like on this? Love the original MP but the long(ish) game time makes it hard to get it to the table. If this were quicker I might consider getting it.

[@brandobond]

As an owner of Marco Polo I, should I spend the money on getting the expansion to that one or sell it and buy Marco Polo II instead?

[@gooddaysgames586]

Great review Tom/TDT. Thanks!

[@MrGgabber]

Not trying to be mean, but it's very "noob" to think you don't need to travel in MP1

[@All_Ice117]

I feel like it isn't as rewarding nor necessary as in this sequel =/.

[@Willow_Ufg]

I've seen people win a game with not a single move, you just need a proper character to do it

[@windyhillbomber]

Have never played MPI. But if forced to buy, MPII looks the better option

[@ElanDivan]

I need to own both!

[@adamp3628]

Me three. I think of it as a new map.

[@Puzzu]

Awesome, thanks for the great review and comparison, I don’t own the first but really enjoyed it so this is a no brainer to get!

[@briancherry8088]

Its too bad I just got Marco Polo then. I think I would have rather this one... but don't need both, and cant be bothered to sell it. Thanks for the review!

[@Andural69]

Absolutely love this review

[@langiestudio]

That's why I dodn't pick it up at Essen. I love the original but having both in my collection would be an overkill. Plus it wasn't cheap by any means.

[@J-Wheeler-G]

How good is it at 2?

[@d.aardent9382]

just looking at the board gives me a headache. seems like way too many things going on to have to deal with.

[@KristoVaher]

I loved the tightness of travel in the original. Much more thematic as well. Skipping the sequel!

[@ClockworkWyrm]

Boy that board sure is brown, but it looks like a lot of fun.

[@yugihoo]

I thought it was pepper.

[@JosephFlemming]

well since I went through great pains to get every expansion for Marco Polo, I won't be getting this as it's similar and not compatible. a trend lately i'm not liking.

[@Mentat1231]

Yeah, travel is SO hard in MP1, and the person who just spams contracts seems to always win in my games.... I have trouble loving MP1, though I do like it. I wonder if I could love MP2, and finally get the game that MP1 just fails to be.

[@Phildiculous]

Having played a lot of MP1, I often play with very good gamers who try to score pretty much only through contracts and I'm almost always able to edge them out but it's a close thing. I think both experience helps that issue but also the expansion alleviates some of those issues as well. Either way, a contract heavy strategy certainly DOES NOT feel dominant in MP2.

[@Edwinschuur]

A lot of people dont see the power of some of the actions in the cities that youve visited.

[@shinjial]

My biggest gripe with Marco Polo 1 is with the games title "Travels of Marco Polo" (as it was published in my language): the actual travel really punishes the player to get anything done; it's expensive, takes multiple dice out of your hands, but forces you to stop every other move, while still charging an outrageous amount of cash. Travel is actually the least benefitial thing you can do in the game, hardly worth the effort. For me it should have been name "Contracts of Marco Polo", because that's how you get things done for the most part, getting points and resources, and tailoring your actions based on them rather than on the movement on the map. A minor thing that bugged me as well was representation of characters. They were mostly, if not all, men, and all of them looked exactly the same. Same face, same skin tone. I noticed that this has been addressed in the 2, but still could have used more work. Something that both 1 and now 2, seeing it now, is that you do everything to turn it into VPs. You have characters that search for wealth, and don't consider coins as the actual result/VP of your playthrough. In other words, the theme of it is really loose, and could have been a little more in tandem with the gameplay mechanics. Nevertheless, it's still a fun game and I enjoy playing it. I love the dice mechanic in the center of it.

[@Willow_Ufg]

I can't agree with this polar opinion. Maybe doing only contracts is somehow easier, it's not ultimate winning strategy. Maybe in first games it looks like but with some experience, travel is as beneficial (or even more) than contracts

[@shinjial]

Sure, I concede that I never made it work and I hold myself responsible to some extent. But I've played it multiple times, and I am somewhat experienced at it. Also, comparing it to other similar games this really stands out to me. I only view traveling as a means to fuel whatever other strategy I go for. Usually targeting cities that give bonuses and resources, or good actions, which all depend on how it was set up. I go for one of the two bonus cards most of my games How do you go about it? I really never made it work for me, so maybe you can pitch an idea.

[@Edwinschuur]

@@shinjial it also depends on your character. With the duo and the guy that puts a post out at every spot he passes through, travelling is really worth it. Traveling also gives you some really jice actions available at the cities you've visited. This isnt Ticket to Ride. Going for points for completing your hidden goals isnt a must. Its an option that for some charqcters is worth it and for others less.

[@mullaert]

Is this game good with only two players?

[@bruchino]

Yes! We play it a lot with my husband, it's a really solid game.(In a 2 player game there are dummy dice on the board)

[@Dalmatinac3]

of course you dont need both in your collection.

[@kevinjohnston8341]

Never knew about this until seeing this review just now. Meh. This is a redux like George Lucas remaking Star Wars. I was perfectly happy with the first Marco Polo (and expansion material), and don't feel like this game needed to be produced.

[@billjensen51]

Looks like a good game which I would never be able to get to the table.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Didn't like the first one so at least I know I can avoid this one also.

[@chrismusix5669]

"The board is a jumble." Looks like any other high level Eurogame to me!

[@sortehuse]

The board is more clear in the first Marco Polo.

[@chrismusix5669]

@@sortehuse Stop making fair points yo! It makes me look bad (well, badder than normal...) :P

[@Skorrigan]

I hated MP1. Has MP2 fixed the issues with the travel costs, the winning strategy of doing nothing but buying goods and completing contracts?

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

You sound jaded, Tom